Middle East awards (MELDA) to recognise creative use of architectural lighting design to illuminate regional development projects
With development projects across the region on a grand scale vying for attention, special awards recognising the outstanding and creative use of lighting in the Middle East are now taking on a special significance.
The Middle East Lighting Design Awards (known as MELDA) celebrate the creativity of the world's leading lighting designers who are enhancing the region's built environment through the power of light.
"Iconic projects are being developed throughout the dynamic environment of the Middle East. The night-time image of these buildings, enhanced by lighting, is of huge importance," said Claire Brookes, Event Manager for MELDA which is organised by IIR Entertainment and Installation Technology Group.
MELDA is an integral part of PALME Middle East which takes place from 27-29 April 2008 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, now firmly established as the world's biggest integrated technology forum and the Middle East's largest gathering of entertainment industry professionals.
Judged by an independent panel, including: Ziad Fattouh, Senior Principal, Delta Lighting Solutions, Dubai, UAE; George Katodrytis, Associate Professor of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah, UAE; Markus Stebich, Director of Development, Spas and Interiors, Jumeirah; Shaun Killa, Principal Architect and Head of Design, Atkins; and Riad Saraiji, Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering at UAE University, Al Ain, UAE.
The award winners will be presented at a gala dinner in Dubai on 27 April 2008, attended by the world's leading lighting designers and senior professionals involved in the delivery of the region's major projects.
The 2007 lighting design awards were the first of their kind and created a benchmark of excellence. "It is clear that this initiative has had a major impact in boosting lighting creativity in the region," Brookes said.
Earlier this year more than 80 entries contested just eight awards. For 2008, a further two categories have been included in the innovative product category. The closing date for entries is 31st January 2008. Projects must be within the Middle East, including the Gulf Co-operation Council countries as well as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iran and Egypt.
MELDA is supported by the International Association of Lighting Designers and Lighting Urban Community International and is sponsored by mondo*arc the international architectural lighting journal.
The award categories are:
Public Buildings - historic buildings, museums, galleries, airports, places of worship and government buildings.
Exterior - building facades, bridges, structures, public spaces, landscaped areas and street lighting.
Hospitality and Leisure - hotels, entertainment centres, theatres, cinemas and sports venues.
Retail - shopping malls, department stores, boutiques, and showrooms.
Restaurants and Bars.
Temporary Installations - one-off lighting installations, exhibitions, lighting for concerts and corporate events.
Product Innovation Categories - new products which the jury deems to be truly innovative.
Luminaires - internal and external.
Supporting Lighting Technologies.
Environmental - a product that balances environmental and economic issues in design and development.
Middle East Lighting Project of the Year.
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For more about the awards, please visit: www.meldaonline.com
For more about PALME and associated events, please visit: www.palme-middleeast.com
www.event360-online.com/middleeast
www.palmedjcomp.com
For media enquiries contact:
Steven Jones
Director
Shamal Marketing Communications
PO Box 24459
Dubai, UAE
Tel: + 971 50 455 9769
Email: steven@theshamalgroup.com
Website: www.smc-pr.com
© Press Release 2007