While smart lighting has so far only been available in the form of individual light bulbs, Licht 1 presents the latest intelligent light technology in the shape of a minimalistically designed pendant lamp. Having evolved from the Kiën founders’ first enterprise, Sygns – European market leader in neon lights design and production – Licht 1’s appearance recalls that of a neon strip light. Its attributes however far outshine those of the electrified glass tube.
The key property of Licht 1 is the quality of light it emits: by relying on category-leading LEDs with Color-Rendering-Index (CRI) values above 90, it emulates the natural spectrum of daylight (between 2700 and 5000 Kelvin). Drawing back on the rhythm-giving role of light in the biological world, Licht 1 artificially mimics sunlight’s ability to influence the body’s natural energy levels. It thereby induces productivity or sleep according to situations activity or rest of its users. The whole is part of an innovative, holistic approach to dynamic lighting, whose benefits include a general increase in standards of living in the long term.
The temperature and intensity of light can be regulated through a specifically developed App for Smartphones, Tablets and other smart home devices, such as the Senic button Nuimo. Artificial environment configuration is additionally enhanced by the modular properties of Licht 1: by connecting several lamps to a central unit users can easily construct a proper light system with greater control over space and the quality of light in it.
The light tube has a diameter of 4 cm (1,6 inches) and comes in three lengths: 60, 100 and 140 cm. This core is protected by outer structure, which is available in seven finishes: matte and texturized powder-coated aluminum in black, white, red and blue, veneered oak and walnut wood, or raw industrial concrete. The whole is connected to a power outlet on the ceiling or a regular socket through a child-proof Baldachin power unit with a design matching that of the main body.
Crucially, Licht 1 also integrates a holistic approach towards the environment it is manufactured and consumed in. The entire production process takes place in Germany according to the highest environmental, moral and qualitative standards, with local manufacture and regionally sourced wood. Waste is kept at a minimum by producing exclusively on demand and through the employment of nearly waste-free manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing or laser cutting. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the LED technology lowers the lamps’ energy expenditure by 80% of that of common incandescent light bulbs.
Licht 1 is the product of a two-year collaboration with leading experts in the field of light technology at the Technical Universities of Dresden and Berlin, the Fraunhofer Institute and Google.
