Author Archives: LiteTile Ltd

Illuminated Bi-Fold Doors

Architectural Lighting

We were approached in late 2019 by our client as they were building a new conference, banqueting & wedding venue in Wolverhampton and wanted our help.  They had seen our large illuminated, colour-changing glass panels on our website and wanted to have this idea applied to bi-fold doors in the venue.  After a site visit and various discussions, we were asked to produce two sets of bi-fold doors that would be internally illuminated with LEDs and that would change colour as you walked past the doors and as the doors opened and closed.  As these doors are double-sided, they look good whether open or shut. Our client said they wanted the doors to give their visitors the wow factor as they entered the building & they are delighted with the final result.

We believe that this is the first time that bi-fold doors have been produced in this way and we’re sure you will agree that the end result is stunning.

If you would like to see the doors in action please click on this link Illuminated Bi Fold Doors Opening – YouTube

Office Reception, London

Architectural Lighting

We were asked to assist with the refurbishment of the lighting of a set of interior steps in the reception area of offices in central London.

At a site visit we discovered that the cold cathode lighting, which had been installed several years ago, was in need of replacement.

We proposed runs of white linear LED lighting under each step.  The images show how a small amount of LED lighting can transform a simple feature such as a set of steps and also provide an energy-efficient solution for the client.

Private Residence, Kent

Illuminated Splashbacks

Our client contacted us directly as they were having a new kitchen installed and were very interested in our illuminated splashbacks.

However, instead of having the splashbacks at full height, they wanted the splashbacks to be designed in the style of an upstand. Following several conversations and emails regarding the height and quantity of splashbacks, our client placed their order and we produced drawings of each illuminated panel and sent them to our client for each one to be singed off prior to production.

These six illuminated splashbacks/upstands have colour-changing LEDs in them and have brushed stainless steel frames around them.

Using our LiteTiles as an upstand instead of a traditional splashback acts as a unique feature in this kitchen – as well as providing excellent lighting.

Visit our YouTube channel to see this project in action

(We are very grateful to our client who kindly provided these images and video)

 

 

Retail – Large Interior Light Wall, Oxford Street, London

Architectural Lighting

It is the first time that Boots have had a multi-level store and we were asked to provide an illuminated feature for their new flagship store in Oxford Street, London. After several meetings and discussions, we designed a “light” wall consisting of illuminated colour-changing acrylic panels. This wall extends up three storeys inside the store behind the stairway. The wall is made up of 60 panels, each measuring 1200mm x 700mm. Several plasma screens are interspersed between these acrylic panels and these are used for advertising purposes. Each panel was made up of a rectangular piece of Prismex and lit along two edges with red, green and blue LED strips. Each one of these strips (two per panel) is individually addressed by a computer-based control programme, thus allowing an infinitely variable array of colour-changing and movement to be achieved. The computer which controls this wall is in an office nearby. The installation was quite complicated as the panels had to be installed behind the stairway and the installation date had to be scheduled in with other work on the site. A 4-man team carried out the installation and it took 5 days to complete.

Colour-Changing Wall

Architectural Lighting

We were approached by Mitchell Eley Gould Architects in Bath who were working on a project at Red Maids School, Bristol.  The school were having a new building constructed – Redland Hall.  This building provides the school with a new performance space and auditorium.  The school wanted to have the area for serving refreshments at events supplied with first-class lighting.  Mitchell Eley Gould asked us if we could help with the provision of illuminated, colour-changing panels in the servery area.

Following meetings and site visits, the school decided on having six illuminated panels installed with shelving going across the front of the panels.  A 4-zone wall mounted touch panel was installed which allows the panels to either scroll through all the same colours at the same time, or to be set on different colours in groups.

This effect would also work very well in a bar, restaurant or hotel.

To see this installation in action please click here

 

Beam Lighting

Residential Lighting

Here is an example of how some LED strip lighting can add the finishing touch to a new kitchen.  Our client was refurbishing his kitchen and wanted us to provide LED strip lighting for several beams in the kitchen.  Using our LiteBuilder service, our client sent us the lengths of the beams and we then produced the appropriate lengths of extrusion, cover and LEDs – all pre-cut and soldered ready for installation.

The client selected white colour temperature controllable LEDs – this means that the LEDs can be switched from warm white, to cool white, to natural white depending on the effect that the client wishes to create in the room.

 

Concierge Area, The Filaments, London

Architectural Lighting

The Filaments is a residential development at the centre of a London borough and only a few minutes’ walk from Wandsworth town centre and consists of 340 private apartments, as well as shops, office space and lit gardens and walkways. We were commissioned to provide specialist lighting for the concierge area and were given a specification and asked to provide a more cost effective solution. The project involved the supply of LED strip downlights, lighting around the concierge’s desk, in addition to cove lighting which was to wash downwards over a specially painted wall and internal and external versions of strip lights which were to be installed under the exterior canopy. These were a very slimline profile with surface-mounted LEDs. The lighting around the concierge’s desk consisted of LED strip (with white only LEDs) and extrusion. The wall wash lighting was origninally specified using a high output constant current system, but we decided to use a new constant voltage system which utilises smaller output LEDs. However, the LEDs are columnated with reflectors in order to give a similar visual effect. The LEDs used here were 4000 Kelvin. All the walls in the concierge area were made of MDF but a special finish was applied to these walls to give it a metallic-look effect. Some of the ceiling lights were recessed (some of which had emergency back up systems) and some were suspended – the suspended ones were painted in the same metal finish as the walls. We also designed a system that enabled all the power supply units to be housed in one control room with all of the units being dimmable. The installation of all this lighting was carried out out by a 5 man team and took a week to complete.

Office Reception Area, Finsbury Square, London

Architectural Lighting

We were asked to supply lighting to a wall in the reception area of this central London office building as the client wanted an eye-catching and modern design suitable for this refurbished office block. The illuminated feature wall is made up of 14 floor-to-ceiling panels of laminated glass behind which we installed panels of Prismex and each panel was edgelit with white LEDs. The colour-changing effect was achieved by laminating dichroic film on to the glass panels – dichroic film is a “mirror” film, which gives the appearance of changing colour as one walks past it. Each panel is set at an angle against the next one so that each panel appears slightly different from its neighbour when moving past it. The client also wanted the new reception desk to be illuminated in a single colour. The reception desk was made of slabs of black marble on the top with glass panels across the front of it. Again, we installed Prismex panels behind the glass and edgelit the panels with white LEDs. The whole effect creates a cutting-edge feature in this refurbished office reception area and as the entrance way to this office building is glass, it can be see by passers-by and looks just as stunning at night.

Illuminated Etched Glass, Office Reception Area, London

Architectural Lighting

We were contacted by an architect to see if we could help solve a problem – their client wanted a large illuminated white graphic on a black background installed in the reception area of their new offices. This had been attempted by two other companies but unfortunately they had not been able to achieve what the client required. The design we put forward was to edge-light glass panels with an image sandblasted to the rear of the glass panels and then mount them in front of a black panel. The architect presented our design to their client who was very happy with our proposals and we were given the go-ahead. We had 20mm thick (at the client’s request) low iron, toughened glass panels produced with the image sandblasted to the rear of each panel. We also had bespoke high output white LEDs produced so that they fitted the top and bottom of the glass panels. Whilst this work was progressing, we worked closely with the interiors company on the design of the carcass. The installation was on the ground floor which made access easy and the only logistical issue we had to address was the lifting of each glass panel as each one weighed over 80kgs. We were only allowed one day to carry out the installation (which was done by a 4-man team) but unfortuantely the surround and back panels were not ready (they should have been fitted before we got to site) so we had fit the glass panels without them being fitted. We were given a 6-week lead time for this project, which we met. These photos were taken during the installation (due to security reasons we were not able to return to take photos after installation).

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Illuminated Reception Desks

Architectural Lighting

We are able to produce eye-catching illuminated reception desks suitable for offices, hotels, doctors surgeries, dental surgeries, hospital out-patients etc. These images show a selection of desks that we have illuminated in the past. They range from traditional receptions desks illuminated with just white LEDs, to a contemporary design illuminated with white LEDs to give the effect that it is floating, to reception desks which have colour-changing LEDs in them. If you want to create the right impression for your clients when they visit your premises, an illuminated desk will do just that. If the desk has colour-changing LEDs in it, they can be set to scroll through the company’s corporate colours or the company’s logo can be put on the front of the desk. The illuminated panels are very slim so they do not take up a lot of room in the desk, leaving plenty of space for computers, printers etc.

Refectory Lighting, Prior Park College, Bath

Architectural Lighting

Prior Park College is situated overlooking the beautiful city of Bath. The College has nealry 600 pupils and is one of the largest fully co-educational Catholic Independent boarding and day schools in the UK. Prior Park was formerly the home of Ralph Allen and was built during the Georgian period of Bath stone. During the refurbishment of its refectory, the College approached us as they wanted a lighting feature installed that would become a talking point. Having visited our offices for a LiteTile demonstration, the College asked us to produce a lighting feature for their refectory. We carried out a site survey and we decided a LiteTile unit was the best option. However, we suggested that the LiteTile unit should be surrounded by a purpose-built white frame in order to give the impression of a window in the refectory. Prior Park College agreed with this and we proceeded to manufacture a LiteTile unit. This panel has colour-changing LEDs in it which are controlled by an infra-red remote control unit. The College told us that they “wanted an eye-catching yet practical feature in our servery and we were delighted to find that a local company could provide just that. We are thrilled to be the first educational establishment in the UK to have a LiteTile installed, as well as being the first venue in Bath to have one installed”. The College also said “As well as the feature lighting changing colour, we can set it on one particular colour to suit the occasion or season of the year and we are also going to display pupils’ works of art on it as well”.

 

En Suite Bathroom Lighting

Residential Lighting

We were asked by BK Installations to provide LED lighting for an en suite bathroom which they were installing.

Having carried out a couple of site visits, we installed LED downlights in the ceiling, plaster-in LED linear lighting around the edges of the ceiling, LED lighting under the bath and linear lighting in the alcoves in the shower.

This lighting has given the new en suite a very stylish finish – especially the plaster-in linear lighting which adds elegance and sophistication to this room.

If you would like to see this lighting in action please click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IPE-k2t5KI

We would like to thank BK Installations for allowing us to use their photos.

LED Mirror Lighting

Residential Lighting

We were asked by Somerset-based glass company, Motif Glass, to assist them with a project in Birmingham.

Their client was developing a block of luxury serviced apartments in the centre of Birmingham.  The building is an iconic Art Deco building and their client wanted the apartments to have a mix of modern and traditional styles.  With a choice of 1 or 2 bedrooms, each apartment is individually styled with a stunning, yet contemporary finish.

Motif’s client wanted to have illuminated mirrors in each bathroom but wanted the lighting to give the effect that each mirror was “floating”.  Having designed the best way to produce this effect, we supplied Motif Glass with white LEDs, extrusion and power supplies so that they could install the lighting at the same time as the mirrors were installed.

These images show the finished mirrors (ranging in size from 840mm x 740mm up to 1440mm x 740mm) and although this project was in a block of serviced apartments, this effect would look equally good in a private house, hotel bathroom or restaurant.

The Eyes Have It!

Blog

It’s interesting to see how LEDs are being tested with regards to eyewear.

The Le Mans 24 hour race is about to start in France this weekend and, in order to help them stay alert, Osram have announced that six BMW Motorsport drivers have been given the opportunity of wearing special LED eyewear at this year’s endurance race.  The glasses that the drivers will be testing emit a light with a high blue output. It is hoped that this will increase and sustain concentration levels during the night sessions of this famous race – which certainly requires great levels of stamina.

Osram have previously supplied goggles to the German skiing association but the eyewear being tested at Le Mans is more compact than the ski goggles although still not quite compact enough for more widespread commercial use such as helping people recover from jetlag or for use as an aid to increase day-to-day motivation.  However, Osram have added an app that allows the drivers to change the light doses in the glasses so this might make them more suitable for commercial use in the future.

Another area where LEDs are being tested in eyewear is with regards to monitoring glucose levels in people with diabetes.  Contact lenses have previously been developed to monitor glucose levels but the lenses were uncomfortable for the wearers and the glucose measurements were not reliable.  Now, a scientist in South Korea has developed a set of components out of more flexible and softer materials.  These materials contain two devices – an antenna and a rectifier that pick up signals from a transmitter and then converts these signals to a small volume of electricity.  This charge then powers a glucose sensor and a very small green LED.  This LED shines outwards so it is visible to the wearer when they look in a mirror.  If the glucose sensor records raised levels, the LED turns off – indicating to the wearer that they may need to adjust their insulin levels.

Both these types of eyewear are at the very early stages of testing, but it is great to know that the use of LEDs is being expanded beyond purely the decorative environment.

Private Residence, Scotland

Illuminated Splashbacks

Our client contacted us via the contact form on our website as they were having a new kitchen installed and were very interested in our illuminated splashbacks. We provided a quote for 4 illuminated splashbacks – including one with a socket cut-out and another with an angled edge to it.  After several discussions about the best way to do this, our client placed the order and we produced these lovely splashbacks.  These splashbacks have colour-changing LEDs in them and our client has said “I love my splashbacks!”.

 

Kitchen Connectivity – Taking A Look At “Smart” Goods and Appliances

Blog

Blog image

It’s predicted that sales of smart appliances will rise in 2017, so we have been taking a look at all things “smart” that you can have in a kitchen – and what a lot there are!

Let’s start with the hob and the hood. One manufacturer now uses technology that enables the hood and hob to communicate with each other so that the hood is automatically activated when the induction hob is switched on and it adjusts its power and lighting accordingly and then the hood switches off automatically.  Whilst your hood and hob are talking to each other, your smartphone could be telling your washing machine what to do – from another room, from your office or from abroad!  Talking of washing machines, how about a washing machine that can diagnose a fault so that reduces the number of engineer call-outs, or what about a washing machine with downloadable programmes that adapt the machine to the lifestyle of the user – saving time and energy.

Moving on to ovens, you can have a built-in oven with a downloadable recipe database – the days of shelves filled with recipe books may be numbered!

A recent survey by Hoover shows that of 1000 surveyed, 40% of consumers are interested in operating their appliances via wi-fi and as 85% of the population own a table or smartphone there are huge opportunities for kitchen appliance manufacturers to offer “kitchen connectivity”.

Smart fridges are another example of kitchen technology that have been talked about for a quite a while.  These appliances have been programmed to sense what type of products are being stored inside it and it then keeps track on the stock level via a barcode or scan. This kind of fridge can often indicate when a product needs replacing as well.

However, in addition to smart “white” goods there are now smart appliances.  How about a frying pan that has inbuilt sensors that talk to an app – the app then tells you when to turn your piece of salmon over, when to add extra ingredients and when it’s ready to serve!

Then we can move on to the apps themselves – how about an app on your ‘phone that will let you know when the oven needs to be turned down for your casserole to be cooked properly and then will let you know when it is ready?

Now this might all sound a bit far fetched and perhaps unnecessary as a lot of us enjoy the actual process of cooking and baking. However, imagine if you had a relative who wasn’t as adept at cooking as yourself, or who was having memory problems and couldn’t remember when the oven should be turned down.  These smart goods and apps might just be the answer for them to help them continue living a fuller and independent life for a longer period of time.

Shedding Light on LEDs

Blog

The correct lighting in a kitchen can make or break it.

Flourescent strips and incandescent light bulbs used to be just about the only option available, but with the availability of LEDs the range of lighting is now endless.  You can have ceiling lights, under-cabinet lighting, kick-strip lighing, pendant lighting, track lighting – the choice is vast.

The impression sometimes given is that LED lighting doesn’t last as long as it should – but this is only applies to low quality fittings where the light is not correctly heat managed.

So in order to get the best from your LED lighting make sure it is properly heat managed (also called heat sinking).  The heat produced by LEDs has to be properly managed and it is always worth paying that little bit extra for correctly heat sunk LED lighting.  So you need to look at having your LED strip lighting in an extrusion as  these extrusions will handle the heat issue.  (Bear in mind that the brighter a light fitting, the more heat it produces and therfore the more heat sinking it requires).  There are several different types of extrusions to choose from which are suitable for use as under cabinet lighting, kick strip lighting etc.  You can also select the type of cover you can have on the extrusion.  Many people don’t like the “spotting” effect you get if you are shining the lights down on to a shiny surface so make sure you select an opal cover on the extrusion.

Once you have made your choice of LED lighting, you then need to decide whether you want single colour or colour-changing LEDs.  White-only LEDs come in a variety of colour temperatures – from warm white to cool white – as well as a new option of LED tape called CCT or colour control temperature.  We are rather excited to see these LEDs on the market as you can alternate between warm white, daylight white and cool white all within the same strip lighting.

So, you have decided on your light fitting, you have decided on the colour option – now you have to decide on the type of controller to have.  Again, there are lots of options on the market – ranging from a simple infra-red unit which requires a line of sight from the remote control to a sensor, to wi-fi units which can be controlled via a remote control or a smart phone app and wall mounted touch screens which can be linked into wi-fi or incorporated into smart home systems. All these controllers allow you to change the colour of the LEDs and the speed at which they change colour as well as the increasing and decreasing the brightness of the LEDs, but some of them have a memory facility in them so you can have hours of fun programming in specific colour sequences!

In order to get the most efficient LED lighting you need to do some homework, but the end result will be worth it as you will not only be saving money but you will have far more control over the lighting effects you can have in your property.

Apartments, London

Illuminated Splashbacks

This project consisted of the conversion of a grade-II listed hotel near the Royal Albert Hall in London into 18 luxury apartments and two mews houses. The development was formed within the existing seven-storey building façade. The project also included the refurbishment and extension of existing mews houses located behind the hotel into luxury three-bedroom, two-storey mews houses. The architect contacted us as the designer wanted the interiors of these apartments and mews houses to have modern appliances and high-end finishes throughout and the designer thought that illuminated splashbacks met that criteria. All the kitchen cabinetry is white and the designer wanted the splashbacks to be illuminated with white-only LEDs. Following several site meetings and surveys, we produced the splashbacks for this development – some of which had to have additional design work carried out on them as they had to fit into the eaves of the building. As the splashbacks just have white LEDs in them there is no need for a colour control unit and the splashbacks are switched on and off via the main electrical circuit in each apartment or mews house. Installation was carried out by a two-man team over quite a period of time as there were considerable delays with the refurbishment, but the end result is a cool, calm effect in these high-end residences and these images show the splashbacks in both occupied and unoccupied apartments.

Private Residence, London

Illuminated Splashbacks

A London-based construction company contacted us as their client was building a new family home within a conservation area of an award winning 1960’s development in North London. Their client wanted to create an additional bedroom, bathroom, study, guest room and external deck and provide a practical back yard that could be enjoyed with improved access from the house. Their client also wanted something innovative, different and energy-efficient in their new kitchen and originally we were asked to quote for two splashbacks with just white LEDs. However, they then decided they would like to have two large splashbacks illuminated with colour-changing LEDs. We provided a quote and the client placed the order with us. We then produced technical drawings of their order which were signed off and we commenced production of the two splashbacks. The splashbacks run along two walls and meet in a corner and are controlled by an infra-red control unit. Instead of having just brushed stainless steel frames around the splashbacks, the home owners decided to have the frames painted white to match other surfaces in their new kitchen. (Our frames can be painted to match any RAL or Pantone colour if requried). The home owners are delighted with their LiteTile splashbacks and sent us these lovely images. They told us that when the splashbacks are set on green their children call them Shrek and when they are set on blue they are called Tron!

Private Residence, Devon

Illuminated Splashbacks

Devon-based kitchen company, Roomers, were asked to contact us by their client as he wanted a LiteTile splashback to run along the wall behind his range and sink in his new kitchen. Following our visit to Roomers showroom in Exmouth to discuss this project in greater detail, they spoke to the client and explained all about our LiteTile splashbacks. We then provided a quote for two splashbacks as the length involved (over 4m) meant that we had to produce two units (this is because the single longest splashback we can produce is 3m). The images (kindly taken by our client) shows the splashbacks neatly installed in this lovely kitchen with the stainless steel frames fitting in very well with the grey/white cabinetry and the grey worktops and are just the right finishing touch to this kitchen. The splashbacks have colour-changing LEDs in them and are controlled by an infra-red remote colour control unit.

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