The Trend Towards LED Reflected at the World Architecture News Awards

In 2007, the UK government announced that it would phase out traditional incandescent light bulbs in order to encourage the use and development of more energy efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diode (LEDs). Since then, the government has placed a ban on 60W incandescent bulbs and in 2012 a ban on 40 and lower wattage bulbs is going to come into place. Thanks to these changes, more and more consumers have been switching over to LED home lighting, as well as the LED for lighting in businesses, schools, hospitals and other organisations.

There are many benefits to be had by using LED lights

Traditionally only useful as indicator lights on devices such as flashlights or mobile phone displays due to their lack of colour and low levels of intensity, LED light technology has advanced a lot in recent years.

Brightness - LEDs have become the preferred method of lighting in many homes and businesses due their often-higher levels of brightness and intensity.

Efficiency - LED lights are also popular due to their high-efficiency levels, as they use only 2-17 watts of electricity (1/3 to 1/30 of incandescent or CFLs).

Long-Lasting and Cost-Effective - LEDs also last ten times longer than compact fluorescent lamps and a lot longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, making them a cost-effective choice for both exterior and interior lighting.

Durability - Unlike old light bulbs, LEDs do not have a filament, making them less vulnerable to damage when shocked. LED bulbs are also solid so they do not break easily when knocked or dropped.

Light Fittings - The increased use of LED lights has created a demand for contemporary and attractive LED light fittings. Unlike traditional lighting systems, which are made up of a light fitting and a separate bulb, LED light fittings include both the fitting and the bulb as one unit. Instead of having to replace bulbs on a regular or semi-regular basis, with LED light fittings when the light expires you simply buy a new unit. Many of these types of light fittings come with 10-year guarantees.

The World Architecture News (WAN) 2012 Lighting Awards

The growing popularity of LED lighting was reflected in the winning and shortlisted projects in this year's World Architecture News (WAN) Awards. Each of this year's shortlisted entrants showed how lighting could transform a space but each managed to create a very different atmosphere. The one common theme, however, was LED. The projects ranged from St Boltolph building in the City of London, where the reception area was fitted with a cladding system of fins with 2,500 custom LED fittings, forming not only the walls but also a balustrade system from light to the Espa Life spa at Corinthia Hotel, London, where concealed LED uplights were used to highlight artworks, sculptures and an exquisite marble staircase. The winner, however, was Chicago's landmark building, The Rookery, which was transformed with the help of miniature, custom 14W LED luminaire modules individually placed to veil the detailed facades with soft light.

http://www.wantoday.com/lighting_awards_2012/index.html
http://www.colorkinetics.com/Learn/What-is-an-LED/
http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1279723
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase-out_of_incandescent_light_bulbs#United_Kingdom