It was inevitable

It is amazing how quickly some trends run the race. I have no idea who is most responsible for much of the "lighting as material" in the built environment but I suspect that Color Kinetics, recently bought by Philips Solid State Lighting Solutions, played a large part in the growth of the incorporation of light into and as a part of architecture. When I presented their Lightwasher wall washers and keychains as Christmas presents in 2002,(only a few museum shops were selling them) the recipients didn't buy into the amazement and effusive enthusiasm I showed for the product. Needless to say, they did not share my view of how important this technology could become in our industry. I am even more amazed at the skepticism of the of the writers for Live Design in their report on the Spring Lightfair 2003, who professed it would prove to be just another fad "Some industry insiders predict that it will be five to 10 years before LEDs are mature enough to replace other light sources" was their take on the subject less than 5 years ago.

This is where technology met architecture, and moved it along the trend curve much faster than the usual speed of change in the decorative segment of the construction industry - and the public adores it, with youtube leading the way.