ON A ROLL: REGENT LIGHTING

The attribute of absolute perfection is one that is often associated with Swiss architecture – and reflected in its meticulously joined facade elements, cleanly worked exposed concrete, down to the smallest detail of the interior: the door handle, the light switch – even the lighting itself. After all, the latter not only provides brightness, but also influences the atmosphere in the rooms and underlines the architectural concept.

One of the latest developments in the field of lighting is a product that at first glance may seem rather inconspicuous, but which offers Swiss perfection par excellence. Developed by Basel-based company Regent Lighting, it consists of a rollable transparent strip and a glare-free foil which are placed together to form an uninterrupted line of light.

The name of this latest creation – whose strength lies in its radical simplicity – is RUN+. The product is based on the endless, rollable RUN diffuser, which was launched at the end of 2019. With RUN+, the product has been taken one step further and made suitable for office use.

Regent Lighting, one of the leading luminaire manufacturers in Europe, is a company with a history spanning over 100 years, a lighting specialist whose impressive solutions utilise forward-looking technologies, the latest materials and outstanding design. Several years of research went into the company’s development of RUN+, and the result is a product which, until now, has not been available on the market in this form.

Both RUN+ and RUN possess two special characteristics: almost unlimited length and total flexibility. Both diffusers can be designed with a length of up to 24 metres. Unpleasant interruptions thus become a thing of the past and lines of light can finally fulfil the promise of the name: a continuous, seamless line. This offers architects and lighting designers completely new design possibilities.

The flexibility of the material also allows the diffusers to be rolled up. This makes transport both easy and space-saving, and on-site handling uncomplicated – an aspect of particular importance to electricians and installers.

The RUN+ diffuser has a distinguishing characteristic – in comparison to the original RUN model – in that it was designed especially for the office environment and meets all the standards required of this area. In contrast to the opal RUN diffuser, RUN+ is designed as a transparent diffuser into which a specially developed new film has been inserted. This thin, ultra-flat, optical, multi-layer film provides the necessary glare control as well as precise light direction.

Up to now, glare control has required the use of rigid, microprismatic, rough-surfaced covers which are only available in specific lengths. Regent Lighting’s new foil, on the other hand, has a smooth surface that ensures a clear and pure appearance. The result is a gentler light that remains discreetly in the background while also conforming to all norms and quality standards required of the office environment.

Compared to conventional solutions, the ultra-fine film allows material savings of 90%. Furthermore, it is available in almost unlimited lengths, offering completely new possibilities in the design of continuous lines of light. ‘We recognised that architects' demands on lighting design had increased, especially in the office space, and that the current state of the art was lagging behind the ideas and visions of architects’, says Markus Abt, Head of Research & Development at Regent Lighting, explaining the motivation behind the development of RUN+.

The process of developing glare-free, seamless light in a completely new format using the miniaturisation method took a total of four years. From its radical reduction to its simple design and high precision, RUN+ underlines the concept of the line of light: the discreet way of utilising light in interior design.

RUN+ will be available from mid-2020 in the Regent Lighting’s Purelite D, Channel S, Purelite and Purelite Slim lines.

© Architonic