Sei Unica AG

Switzerland

The majority of retail lighting installations are refurbishments of existing stores. However, in Alstetten, an area in Zürich, Switzerland, a visionary new redevelopment of a former packaging site has allowed the newly opened 300-m2 boutique, Sei Unica, to use the latest in MEGAMAN^® LED reflector technology with dramatic results.

Wolfgang Kucher, designer and architect for Sei Unica AG, explains further: “The Sei Unica boutique is part of the prestigious CONNECT project in Alstetten. A former packaging plant, the site has been developed based on the vision of combining work, living, sports, leisure and cultural facilities in one place. It centres around a restaurant and retail zone on the ground floor piazza, and the whole complex has been built to the Swiss MINERGIE^® sustainability standard*. We wanted to support the ethos of MINERGIE^® within Sei Unica, and with this in mind, carefully researched the best lighting technology for use within the store that would support a high-quality look and feel, but be as energy efficient as possible.”

The end result is a dramatic combination of the latest in MEGAMAN^® LED lamp technology and use of space, to create a boutique that not only looks stylish and sophisticated but saves €2,407 a year in energy consumption and 6,469kg of CO2 emissions.

The design concept behind the Sei Unica boutique (translated as You’re Unique from Italian) was for an exclusive, quitely sophsticated space which displayed the company’s carefully created range of handmade, off-the-peg and haute couture, Italian-tailored, clothing. It also needed to have a versatile interior, so that the catwalk, built into the floor of the store, could become the focal point as required. The clothing concept behind Sei Unica is a select range of 15 of each item from the collection (five in each of three sizes) and these are then displayed along with a range of costume jewellery in the spacious store. Alongside the clothing, the store also plays host to a hairdressing and beauty studio, to offer customers the a total style package.

The possibilities of LED technology

Working closely with Jean-Luc Mösch, from M.Schönenberger AG, the possibility of using LED lamp technology within the boutique was explored. Apart from its energy saving potential, LED technology was of interest because of its reduced heat output and ability to be positioned near to items on display. In consultation with MEGAMAN^®, Mr Kucher chose to use MEGAMAN^®’s LED AR111 GU10, 10W and 15W light sources, along with MEGAMAN^® LED Candle 5W, to create the right balance of drama and exclusivity within the store, whilst reducing heat and energy consumption.

Part of MEGAMAN^®’s LED Reflector Series, MEGAMAN^®’s AR111 range of LED low energy replacement for halogen reflectors incorporates the company’s patented Thermal Conductive Highway™ (TCH) technology, which has superb heat dissipation, lighting performance and lumen maintenance. As a result the MEGAMAN^® LED AR111 range lasts up to 13 times longer and uses 80% less power than halogen equivalents. With the same high quality light intensity and colour rendering of traditional AR111 spotlights (colour rendering of up to Ra92), but with no UV light radiation, negligible IR radiation or residual glare, the LED AR111 range is ideal for use in any retail outlet.

Putting LED into practice

As well as lighting a mix of central display pods, which have been constructed on wheels, to be repositioned during a fashion show, Mr Kucher wanted customer’s eyes drawn to the impressive showcases around the sides of the boutique. One of the main challenges faced when lighting Sei Unica was obtaining the correct balance of light within these tall showcases. Mr Mösch, explains: “Compared to halogen and HID, LED lighting is a much newer technology and we are still in a learning process when it comes to making the most of it. Unlike halogen lamps, which produce a yellowish light, the LED light sources required slightly more experimentation to get the correct effect under daylight conditions, due to their more neutral white light.

“However, the end result was well worth the learning curve, as not only does the neutral-white light from MEGAMAN^® LED AR111’s show the creations in their accurate colours, but we have been able to position the lamps close to the exhibited dresses for maximum impact – something that would have been impossible to achieve with halogen sources.” Mr Kucher, concludes: "As a professional interior designer and architect, I am quite aware of the thermal situation and of potential difficulties that are traditionally faced when lighting showrooms. However, thanks to MEGAMAN^®’s LED solution, we haven’t yet had to use the air-conditioning system once, despite experiencing a minor heat-wave here in Zürich. The eco-design of the building and MEGAMAN^®'s LED technology complement one another perfectly. I am very impressed!”

Reflector technology

Providing a true eco-replacement lighting solution for traditional halogen, metal halide and incandescent applications is the driving force behind MEGAMAN’s product development. Unlike many LED lamp manufacturers, MEGAMAN uses reflectors instead of lens technology to offer the most efficient LED lighting solution. The LED reflector lamps mimic the design of traditional light sources, delivering excellent distribution of light and providing energy saving compared with conventional lamps of the same output.

Using Thermal Conductive HighwayTM Technology (TCH), the MEGAMAN patented LED lamp design results in longer-lasting lamps with high lumen maintenance, resulting in up to 90% of initial lumens being available at the end of the lamp life.

* MINERGIE^® is a sustainability brand for new and refurbished buildings. It is mutually supported by the Swiss Confederation, the Swiss Cantons along with Trade and Industry and is registered in Switzerland and around the world.

 

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