THE LIGHTWAVE BLOG
A place to review and voice opinion and
insight on the development of environments
6 March, 2012
Architectural Innovation in Aged Care
Aged care and architectural innovation are not usually identified as partners. Over many years aged care developments have typically become homogenous institutions that rely more on affordable repetition then innovation. This is generally reflected in both the architectural solutions and the service model. Indeed they are institutionalised and basic functions are dumbed down for [...]
1 March, 2012
A demographic view of the future
Alan Kohler, ABC Financial Reporter and Editor of the Business Spectator, is known for his somewhat quirky graphs that he uses to capture our attention and illustrate his point. One such graph recently captured our attention and is similar other view points we have considered about our future. Now, as you know, Lightwave are not [...]
28 February, 2012
Design Thinking in Mining Accommodation
The massive investment currently underway in the mining sector requires services from all sorts of businesses. Consequently the demand for temporary mining worker accommodation is significant. The shortage of accommodation to house ancillary workers and families is also acute. Small towns close to mines find themselves with all sorts of workers, whether it is employees [...]
15 February, 2012
Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous
If money were no object, what kind of house would you design? At Lightwave we had lots of fun with this question and it got us talking about people for whom money is no object – like Hollywood celebrities and their choice of house design and architect. How does an architect get a gig like [...]
21 December, 2011
The Palisades, Kingscliff – a luxury duplex
“The Palisades” is a recently completed luxury duplex at Moss Street, Kingscliff. Made up of two 400m2 apartments, the dual level boutique apartments will provide a resort lifestyle for their future owners. From the street the apartments are noticeable for the aubergine egg shaped form; a curved roof that extends from a lower level dining [...]
13 December, 2011
How do we design for organic growth in an urban environment?
A recent trip to the Americas took me to the Western coast of the USA and Colombia. As an architect there is of course the obligatory visit to anything Gehry1 in the states and anything religious in Colombia. As interesting as the architecture is it seems that the transient experience of these places highlights the [...]
11 December, 2011
Efficiency & a soft edge for Classic Group’s new office
Whilst things in the commercial world are pretty tough these days, not everyone has been forced to downsize. Classic Group, a long term client of Lightwave, have outgrown their Miami tenancy which Lightwave did the fit out for back in mid 2007. Since then, their business has not only survived but thrived through the GFC [...]
28 November, 2011
Hotel & Resort Design – creating the brand that creates the experience
“A true brand is an emotional experience, one that is specific to a product or a service or an environment. The experience extends beyond tangible objects to include thoughts, feelings, and sensory reactions to the designed object, space, or activity.” Christine Astorino, CEO & founder of Fathom So how is this applied to hotel and [...]
27 November, 2011
Modular High Rise Construction
Custom prefabrication is the answer. Now what is the question? For a while now consumers have searched for products that reflect their individuality. This has influenced markets and led to a social environment where a consumer’s choice says something about the consumer. So, is the question “How do I best make use of an architect [...]
21 November, 2011
Containers are the new black
The world has started to embrace a steel box. Yes, containers are being used everywhere from emergency shelters and concept stores through to restaurants and weekenders. They are an ideal building material due to being purpose built for heavy loads and resistance to harsh environments – think on board ocean-going vessels or road transportation. They are [...]
14 November, 2011
An IES lighting award for Mermaid Beach House
Congratulations to Tony Dowthwaite Lighting Design (TDLD) for their recent win at the 2011 Queensland Lighting Design Awards for the Anderson Residence. TDLD are well known for their highly refined lighting solutions and the images illustrate the contribution that lighting provides to not only the architectural product, but the quality of life. Tony Dowthwaite provides [...]
7 November, 2011
Energy Saving Devices – LMS
With the recent introduction of the Carbon Tax and the continued need for environmentally sustainable products, we are constantly bombarded with new building products that are being released into the market. One such interesting product we have come across is an apparatus that provides a method for dimming control of electrical lighting systems that translates [...]
