Beneath the Surface Blog

Newspapers are a staple publication for many Americans. Whether you’re reading it with your morning coffee, perusing the classifieds on the subway to work, or doing the crossword puzzle during your college lecture, newspapers are everywhere - keeping people up-to-date, informed, and entertained. With over 100 million newspapers produced each day in the United States alone (over 1 billion daily worldwide), it is clearly one popular periodical. Unfortunately, however, within 24 hours, those 100 million newspapers become obsolete, creating mounds of wasted paper daily. But one innovative designer has figured out a way to help combat this issue of paper waste by fusing sustainability, design, and nature. The solution? NewspaperWood.

Dissatisfied with the notion that once a tree becomes paper, it remains paper, Mieke Meijers, a Dutch designer, developed NewspaperWood with the help of Vij5 design. Made by layers upon layers of newspaper adhered together, compressed, and rolled into a log, NewspaperWood looks and acts very similar to its original counterpart. Just like any other type of wood, NewspaperWood can be planed, cut, nailed, and sanded. And once planed and sanded, it reveals a beautiful grain, amazingly akin to the organic earthiness of rings in actual wood. Though not meant as a structural alternative, NewspaperWood is an attractive choice for aesthetic applications (like furniture), and can even be finished, stained, and veneered.

NewspaperWood has already caught the eye of many up and coming designers. A line of furniture was produced, along with other items, including lamps and jewelry, in an effort to showcase NewspaperWood’s versatility and visual appeal. Prototypes of the pieces were showcased in Milan in April 2011, and have since gone into production.

But aside from its sustainability and naturalistic wood properties, perhaps the most interesting notion about NewspaperWood is the way in which it blurs the line between the natural and synthetic. This is certainly not the first time that man has tried to replicate nature, nor will it be the last. However, with NewspaperWood, there is something different, almost natural, about using newspaper to recreate and emphasize the beauty of its most unrefined form – the tree. With the structured columns and bold typefaces of newsprint, it is hard to imagine anything organic or fluid about it. But when manipulated into NewspaperWood, the hidden beauty of the literature is revealed through undulating grains and rings, evoking our most natural and earthy aesthetics. It is difficult to identify where nature stops and the artificial begins. While NewspaperWood, clearly, is not found in nature, it is hard to deny the truly organic essence of this material. The juxtaposition created between the manmade and the natural in the NewspaperWood really makes one think and appreciate both the beauty and ingenuity of humanity and nature alike.

While man can never exactly replicate Mother Nature, we truly appreciate the way in which NewspaperWood utilizes wasted material to recognize and recreate the beauty of natural wood in a manmade state. We appreciate this fresh take on fusing sustainability with materiality and design, and hope it will jumpstart other unique innovations in both the recycling and design world.

Image credit: Vij5

We exist as a society overwhelmed with trash. California alone spends $25 million to send plastic shopping bag to landfills and another $8.5 million just to clean them off the streets. Americans throw away an estimated seven billion pounds of plastic per year, with only about one percent of that being recycled. Start-up company PK Clean seeks to put the remaining ninety-nine percent to good use with their proprietary technology that uses discarded PVCs and converts them into petroleum and "natural" gas.

Led by MIT grad Priyanka Bakaya, PK Clean has received recognition from a wide variety of business and energy contests such as the winning the Clean Non-Renewable Track of MIT's 2011 Clean Energy Prize and the Women's Entrepreneur and Best Energy Business Plan sections of Rice University's 2011 Business Plan Competition.

The brilliance of their solution comes from a catalytic depolymerization process. This grounds up plastic and then heats it in a reaction chamber to 150°C. A specially designed catalyst amplifies the process and allows it to take place at such a low temperature, saving energy. The products of this process include 70-80% oil and 5-10% industrial-grade ash. The remaining 10% takes the form of gas which is in turn used to heat the reaction chamber. With about 90-95% of the catalyst recovered and a low release of emissions, this process pollutes very little while removing plastic blight. Using start-up funds and competition award money, PK Clean has begun operating a pilot plant in Pune, India that processes twenty tons of plastic a day. The resulting oil, eighty barrels worth, sells for about $25-30/barrel. Bayaka plans to upscale the process to one-hundred tons and day and sees a future potential of $7 billion for the industry.

While most agree that our dependence on oil as an energy source needs to diminish due to its polluting factors and the amazing, yet wasted, potential of hydrocarbons for materials and medicines, the way we have massively integrated petroleum into our society means that, barring any incredible technological breakthrough, internal combustion engines and gas-fired power plants will remain viable for decades to come. We create prodigious amounts of plastic waste, choking whole forest in Mexico and forming garbage patches in oceans twice the size of America. The innovative and profitable methods PK Clean has developed will hopefully encourage others to make better use of that which we discard.

Over the past several months, GPI Design has enjoyed the process of working with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) to sponsor this year's student design competition. Students from accredited interior design schools in Ohio and Kentucky were invited to submit design proposals for the renovation of our office lobby (a drab space which was failing to live up to the building's namesake, "The Atrium").

Our sincere thanks to each group or individual that submitted, it was an absolute pleasure reviewing all of the fresh ideas for our LED backlighting system! It was a tough decision, but these winners really stood out:

Winner of Best Overall Design - "Diffuse" (Kent State University)

This design embraced the existing spatial elements while updating the space with a few bold moves that communicate playfully with the existing architecture. This design considered the scale of the tall atrium space and the fact that its main viewing points are from above and on the elevator. The materiality and form of the curved staircase is translated in a new, but related, manner in the tall central feature. The existing floor is retained, along with the basic color scheme. Seating areas are created simply with basic forms. While striking a balance between high design and budget, the owner was drawn to the holistic treatment of the space.

Honoree for Best Use of Natural Elements -  "Oasis" (University of Kentucky)

Scale, pattern, texture and light were layered to create a garden setting that provides a soothing atmosphere to tenants of the Atrium building. An intimate setting broke down the scale of the large space with sophisticated design strategies. The strong central water feature anchors the space, while natural stone and greenery add natural texture.

Honoree for Most Creative Use of LED Backlighting: "EBA Designs" (The Ohio State University)

The strong focal pull of GPI’s backlit stone panels was utilized in conjunction with the natural visual impact of the tall elevator. The staggered arrangement of the backlit stone panels creates a sense of movement and takes advantage of the verticality of the central atrium space. The design layout and surrounding finishes at the backlit panels make the features integral to the architecture (as opposed to mere decoration).

A special thank you to Dr. Terrence Uber for his assistance in orchestrating the competition!

Check out our Flickr album for some of the creative materials and technology that inspired the student designs >

In the overview blog post, The 10 Benefits of Lighting Control for Greener, Smarter Building Design, Bill Trammel of the Lighting Control Pros blog outlines the main benefits of implementing lighting control into architectural design.  This blog post provided a great overview of points that can both enlighten designers AND provide relevant data to assist them in convincing their clients (building owners and developers).

Architects and designers probably understand this from multiple angles, many of which Bill Trammel touched upon, but the perceived benefits of lighting control really depends on who's listening, right? Here's GPI's case for implementing controllable lighting systems, in plain language that building owners might connect with:

You wouldn't buy a Mercedes Benz without purchasing the automatic window upgrade, would you?

High-end lighting systems are implemented through an intense detailed process that involve collaboration and engineering. The upgrade, offering real convenience, is a natural extension of the baseline system.  Additional cost, yes, but you will probably never regret the upgrade.

(Notice we are using the Benz as an example for the owner? If we were talking to you, Ms./Mr. Designer, we would have said "1999 Volvo". Yep, we know you're overworked and underpaid.)

Let's make sure that everyone is satisfied with these lighting levels on-site after all is said and done.

You can quantify this LED fixture with test data all day long, but lighting levels are subjective. Avoid the costly mistake of implementing non-controllable lighting, which results in tearing down finishes to modify or remove fixtures. (Headaches, schedule extension, added cost)

Dimming control provides the opportunity for lighting designers and building owners to "tune" the brightness of fixtures based on many variables: desired brightness levels, ambient lighting conditions, subjective perception. 

During the building walk-through and commissioning process, dimming control will prove to be a crucial tool in fine tuning all of the systems into a harmonious composition.

You like to see your huge building investment pay off over the years, don't you?

As Bill Trammel succinctly put it: "from a purely bottom-line standpoint, dimming reduces monthly overhead costs".  Dimming control reduces energy costs, increases occupant comfort, and can contribute to employee productivity.  Building owners see every project as an investment; quantifying this can help to justify the increased upfront costs.

And last but not least... controllable lighting systems can contribute to LEED certification, and let's face it - LEED is a great marketing/publicity tool for building owners.

--> The bottom line: when your lighting fixture manufacturers have dimming capability available and the budget allows, take them.  Just like when you're caught driving that new Benz (ehh, 1999 Volvo) in a rainstorm, you won't regret purchasing the automatic roll-up window option.

Designing with translucent surfaces, structure, and backlighting is a delicate balance– those are three difficult materials to make work together. There are several methods to illuminate glass surfaces with backlighting, and chances are if you're creating a ceiling or wall, then you have little space in which to throw the light. Because glass is a substantially heavy material, throwing cumbersome structural members into the mix further complicates things.

Here's a video example of a prototype that GPI developed for a backlit glass ceiling project. The assembly includes metal standoff hardware, recycled glass panels, colored LED panels, and lighting controls – all customized and calibrated to complement each other, for a seamlessly blended illuminated finish.

Here are our top 3 tips for designing with backlit glass panels:

1. Don't disregard structure. Move the flat LED panels in front of all structural pieces in order to avoid casting shadows.  Glass is often used in conjunction with standoffs or steel angles.  Ensure that the lighting elements can be implemented into your chosen method.

2. All types of glass have different diffusion characteristics. Be sure that your lighting manufacturer can make proper modifications to the lighting fixtures to properly illuminate your chosen glass, or consult a lighting designer that is well-versed in methods to eliminate halos, hot spots, and cold spots. Create a custom mock-up or consult an expert to discuss the optimal dimension between LED panel and glass surface for best light diffusion.

3. Consider specifying a clear or white glass and use the lighting to provide the color. That way, your client can dial in the exact color desired and use different settings for special occasions.

Still struggling? Send us your sketches for design consultation.

The last post on "Beneath the Surface" discussed some of the challenges that flat LED panels pose when used for backlighting applications.  This post address each point with a design-driven solution. Anything we're missing?  Leave a comment and we will address it with another blog post!

1. Hot spots

Depending on the translucency of the surface being backlit, hot spots along the edges of LED panels are often a major design concern.  You can accommodate this setback by burying the hot spot in structural framing, or increasing the space between the backlit surface and the LED panel to diffuse the hot spot.

2. Difficult to determine how many edges to run LEDs across

This is a tough one- since most LED panels are custom produced to size, it just takes experience and experimentation to know how many edges require light sources.

3. Cold spots

Consider the ideal size of the panels; although many manufacturers can produce flat LED panels in 4’ x 8’ sheets, it can be beneficial to break that module down into smaller panels.  A good rule of thumb is to allow each LED string to throw light 15” – 20” across the face of the panel.  So, if your panel is over 20” wide, consider running strings on two parallel sides. 

4. Expensive

LED panels have higher upfront costs, but can have dramatic energy savings, especially when the LED lighting system is controllable.  By using flat LED panels in applications for which they are best suited (feature areas which require evenly illuminated surfaces and when you have limited space in which to throw light), you can preserve your client’s budget and make the most impact where needed.

5. Imperfections in acrylic batches

Tight quality control standards will ease this challenge.  Unfortunately, designers don’t have much control over this part of the production process, so be sure to choose a manufacturer that you trust and that has strong attention to detail.

6. Powering every single panel with an adapter

Specify a complete LED backlighting system that has power supplies that can run at least 50 linear feet of LED strings.  Running an entire backlit wall or ceiling back to a central power source results in more efficient wiring and installation.

7. Panels have varying brightness

Balance out the brightness among panels by specifying dimming packs that can control each LED string and each panel individually.  If a small panel appears brighter, or a panel closer to natural sunlight appears dimmer, you can control the brightness of the panels via a manual user interface or through a central building management system.

Have you experienced any of the above issues?  How did you design around those product limitations?  Now that you know a bit more about flat LED panels, enjoy designing your next unique backlit feature!

As an integrated engineering, design, and supply firm, we frequently work with suppliers, engineers, designers, and architects to provide our unique backlit onyx features. One topic that seems to be shrouded in mystery is the topic of fire safety and fire requirements. Terms are frequently confused or misused, and data is often difficult to find (if it even exists). So what are the different areas of fire safety?  What guidelines or codes do you have to follow?

First off, every country, and sometimes even city, has its own building codes that specify certain safety requirements in structures.  In the U.S., the most frequently used code is the IBC, (International Building Code) which is put forth by the ICC (International Code Council).

To meet these requirements, certain standards and tests must be carried out.  To this end, technical standards are written that dictate a list of requirements that must be met. These technical standards, or specifications, can be written by private companies, government agencies, or standards organizations- ASTM, ISO, CEN, etc.

Those are the basic terms, for those unacquainted with building codes and standards.  Onward to the flames!  There are two major categories of fire safety ratings.  First there is fire resistance.  Fire resistance deals with the ability of structural components (walls, floors, ceilings, doors) to restrict the spread of flame and maintain structural integrity in a fire. Fire resistance relates to structural fire performance and becomes important after a fire has started and threatens a building's structural integrity.  The fire resistance test method used throughout the United States is ASTM E 119, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Building Construction and Materials.  Fire resistance is usually measured in hours that the material or structure withstands the flame of a certain temperature.

However, not everything in a building must be tested for fire resistance. Interior finishes and exposed materials- wall coverings, ceiling finishes, etc.- are usually tested for flame resistance.  Flame resistance deals with the potential for fire growth within a structure.  Instead of fire resistance, which describes the performance of materials once a fire has already started, flame resistance measures properties in the early stages of a fire. There are several categories within flame resistance; most notably flame spread index and smoke-developed index.

The flame spread index (FSI) measures how quickly a flame propagates, or moves, across a surface. Materials are assigned values in the U.S. using a test known as ASTM E-84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials. Materials are measured on a scale of 0-1000. A low FSI indicates a low burn rate.  Thus, 0 is calibrated to noncombustible materials (i.e. concrete) while 100 is calibrated to 23/32” red oak flooring.  Classification in codes are:



The smoke-developed index (SDI) measures the concentration of smoke given off as a material burns. The index ranges from 0-450, and a low SDI indicates a low smoke development rate.  



Depending on the local codes, building occupancy, and intended building use, different requirements and levels of performance will be needed.  And here at GPI Design, our team of designers, engineers, and architects will work with you to achieve a beautiful LED backlit onyx feature that will meet the codes- and exceed your expectations!

Project Update: LED Light Panels at AED Idea Center Installed, Glass Panels Evenly Backlit

Backlit Glass Columns by GPI | AED Idea Center | Washington, D.C.

Architect: Studio 27 Architecture

Lighting Designer: MCLA

Application: Backlit frosted glass at eight columns

Products: GPI Infuse™ Flat-Lite™ LED Panels at 3500K lighting temperature

Integration: Diffuser films to hide lamp image and disguise hot spots, GPI Infuse™ Custom Power/Dimming Packs that communicate with Lutron 5000 Graphic Eye to balance brightness between large and small panels

This is a rough progress image from the field.  Check back for completed photographs when the dimming interface is completed!

(Blog Update 1/16/11: see the completed photographs)

Project Update: LED Panels Wired and Installed, Glass is Evenly Backlit

Backlit Glass Columns by GPI | AED Idea Center | Washington, D.C.

Architect: Studio 27 Architecture

Lighting Designer: MCLA

Application: Backlit frosted glass at eight columns

Products: Frosted glass panels, GPI LED Panels at 3500 K, GPI Custom Dimming Packs that communicate with Lutron 5000 Graphic Eye

Integration: Diffuser films to hide lamp image and disguise hot spots, GPI Dimming Packs to balance brightness between large and small panels

Above image indicates construction progress from the field.  Check back for completed photographs when the dimming interface and surrounding finishes are complete!

Acronyms galore.  The letters "L", "E", and "D" on my keyboard are going to be worn out after this blog post!

Lighting systems typically constitute the highest energy use in commercial buildings. The USGBC (United States Green Building Council) has recognized the energy savings potential in general lighting systems, and LED lighting systems can be a significant contributor to obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for a new building. LED lighting systems can contribute to LEED certification in at least three areas: Energy and Atmosphere, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation and Design Process.

Energy and Atmosphere (EA) 35 possible points

Prerequisite 1: Fundamental Conditioning of Building Energy Systems

Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance

Credit 1: Optimization of Energy Performance (worth 1 to 19 points) is the primary area where LED lighting can have an impact. The proposed building design must demonstrate improved performance as compared to baseline criteria.   The greater the performance from baseline, the more points are awarded.

-Reduced carbon emissions (as compared to incandescent lighting)
-Low operating temperatures reduce heat dissipation into spaces, cutting the strain on the HVAC system and ultimately saving air conditioning costs
-Compatibility with photovoltaics
-Minimize energy usage by integrating LED lighting systems into Lutron or other building management system

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Credit 6.1: Controllability of Systems- Lighting
Control of the lighting system by individual occupants or specific groups in multi-occupant spaces can potentially earn 1 point toward LEED certification. LED luminaires provide the opportunity to work as part of a lighting control plan/central building management system. They provide light instantaneously once power is applied, requiring no warm up time. LED lighting systems can also be dimmed to provide variable light output depending upon the needs of the occupant. The efficacy of LEDs efficacy actually increases when they are dimmed due to lower junction temperatures. Continuous, non-stepped dimming provides occupant comfort and increases efficiency.

Innovation and Design Process (ID) worth from 1 to 5 points

Credit 1: The utilization of innovative products and processes may earn between 1 and 4 points toward LEED certification. As LED lighting systems for general lighting represent new, innovative technology, they may qualify for LEED certification credit. LEED does not award this credit if a product is already obtaining points in another category, so design teams must choose where the most impact can be made and pursue credit(s) accordingly.

Other benefits of LED lighting:  
LED (light emitting diode) lighting systems are not only environmentally sustainable, but can be cost efficient as well. Even if your building isn’t striving for LEED certification, there are numerous benefits that are attractive to designers and building owners. While the upfront costs of LED lighting systems and dimming capability are often greater than traditional lighting methods, the life cycle and can even add value to the property in the long run. 

-Fewer building materials required
-Reduced operational costs for electricity and maintenance
-No hazardous materials or wastes (lead and mercury free)
-Longer lifespan= less waste for landfills
-Simpler installation
-Possible commercial building tax deductions 

More information on GPI's FLAT-Lite™ LED lighting system complete with commercial capacity power supplies and dimming options.

The above summary is based on LEED v3 which was released by the USGBC in April 2009 for LEED New Construction and Major Renovations (NC).  This summary does not include the potential of LED lighting to earn points for exterior applications and light pollution reduction.