A number of organisations have confirmed their support as Partner Associations now one year in advance and many universities will once again be represented at the international event. The organisers are especially delighted to announce that Lighting Urban Community International, LUCI will be using the time and space around PLDC to promote bringing public clients together with professional lighting designers with the goal of developing concrete contacts between the interested parties.
In the last few weeks more than 160 entries for the four different tracks have been received in response to the Call for Papers. At this moment in time, every entry is being read and evaluated anonymously by three different professional lighting designers. The final programme will be published in February.
Three of the six invited Keynote Speakers can already be announced: Prof. George C. Brainard, a revered specialist in the field of neurobiological studies and light, will be giving a keynote speech at PLDC 2009. His programme's research studies the effects of light on neuroendocrine physiology and circadian regulation in humans. Using the techniques of photobiology, radioimmunoassay, and performance testing, Prof. Brainard has documented how various visible and non-visible light sources influence both hormonal balance and behaviour. Current studies include elucidating the action spectrum of melatonin regulation, investigating the phase shifting capacities of light, studying the influence of light on tumour progression, and testing new light treatment devices for winter depression.
Prof. Mark Rea, Professor of Cognitive Science and Director of the Lighting Research Center in Troy/NY, has also accepted the invitation to give a keynote speech. Mark Rea is responsible for all activities at LRC, is involved in a number of research programmes on Light and Lighting. He teaches and lectures and promotes a network of experts in the field of light and human biology.
William Lam - "a true pioneer in the lighting design world". Four decades ago Bill Lam was already talking about the huge significance of daylight for human beings and architecture, and the way designed light can respond to "activity needs" and "biological needs". With his books Perception and Lighting as Formgivers for Architecture and Sunlighting as Formgiver for Architecture he has created remarkable works of reference for professionals designing with light that still maintain their relevance today.
(Claire Beeson)
