The move into the architectural market is a natural expansion for the company, which has focused heavily on advanced LED technology in recent times, said Eric Loader, director of sales for Elation Professional. The emergence of LED lighting and RGB colour-mixing have changed the nature of architectural lighting, making it a more dynamic concept, according to Loader. Elation's product development expertise in this area fits in well with this growing trend.
"Our new Elation Architectural series will offer high-quality products for architectural applications that incorporate the LED technology we have and adapt it to the requirements of the architectural market," said Loader. "Our aim is to offer a complete lighting package to our customers. We will be providing complete control and lighting solutions for both indoor and outdoor architectural applications, with products designed to the same high standard of quality that have made Elation a world-class brand.
"Architectural lighting designers no longer think in terms of white or static lighting," Loader added. "Colour-changing and dynamic lighting have become the norm for architectural projects. As LEDs have improved in brightness and performance, they have helped to drive this trend, with their additive colour mixing, along with many other advantages that fit in with the requirements of the architectural market."
Another important criterion in the architectural lighting market is the exterior look of the fixture, as it often becomes an element itself in the design of the project, said Loader. Additionally, architectural lighting products and controllers must be easy to use by individuals unfamiliar with lighting and be able to be installed by general contractors. Last but not least, architectural lighting products are often used in outdoor applications and must be built to withstand harsh weather conditions, as reflected by their IP (Ingress Protection) rating, an internationally recognized classification.
Elation Architectural Series products are designed to meet these challenges, says the company. The new Elar EXFlood floodlight and the Elar EXPar par can are both outdoor-rated at an IP of 65, which means they are impervious to dust and water projected from a nozzle. Rugged and durable, they are constructed from die-cast aluminium and feature a UV front glass that offers protection to their LED lamps.
(Jim Evans)
