Ingenuity and energy efficiency combine
SANDRINGHAM - A Sandringham resident and designer is courting success in the Eskom Energy Efficient Lighting Design Competition.
Stephen Pikus, whose successful design is titled Bright Spark, is one of 18 competition finalists, including five fellow designers in the professional category, as well as finalists in the student and learner divisions.
These successful ‘luminaires’ were chosen from the 506 entries responding to Eskom’s challenge to design an energy efficient lamp by integrating energy efficient lighting in architectural, engineering and interior design. Hopeful entrants, from designers, architects, and engineers to entrepreneurs, hobbyists, students and pupil, submitted their designs to a panel of judges, who selected the finalists according to a number of tough criteria, including aesthetics, innovation, cost-effectiveness, marketing, and energy efficiency.
The theme of this year’s competition, Celebrate 20 years of democracy, saw designers making use of a wide and ingenious variety of materials, from natural fibres, to high-tech metal, granite and glass, and objects such as bottle caps and sea shells. In addition to designing and building the working prototype, entrants had to prepare a budget, submit a sketch and a photograph for each entry, and comply with strict safety and quality standards.
Entries came from all over the country and all provinces were represented. Winners in each category will receive generous cash prizes, while prizes will also be available for the institutions at which winning pupils and students are enrolled, as well as top regional finalists.
“We are delighted by the large number of high quality entries that offer exciting new options and creative design solutions for energy efficient lighting in the future,” said Enock Zikalala of the competition steering committee.
“This competition also encouraged and inspired designers, architects and engineers to integrate energy efficiency in their work for the rest of their careers,” he added.
A final judging process will take place on 28 October, and Eskom will announce the winners at a breakfast ceremony on 30 October, where winning designs will be displayed to showcase local talent in energy efficient lighting design solutions.
