Everard Read Gallery

Thanks to the latest in LED lamp technology, the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg now has a stunning new lighting scheme, at only a fraction of the energy consumption.

The gallery, which was established in Johannesburg back in 1912, moved to its present location in the prestigious precinct of Rosebank in 1980. As committed environmentalists the Read family wanted to refurbish the lighting within the gallery with an energy efficient solution, which created the drama of the existing scheme, but at significantly lower energy levels. Thanks to the work of lighting design company, Streamlight, and MEGAMAN^®’s lamp technology, Southern Africa’s most famous commercial art gallery now has a highly efficient lighting scheme, which not only saves on the galleries energy bills, but reduces carbon emissions by over 10,000 kg’s per year and daily lighting energy consumption by over 70%.

The Everard Read Gallery has become synonymous with the finest art emanating from Southern Africa. Many of the regions most celebrated painters and sculptors have had their work exhibited within the gallery’s walls. With such high profile work on display, the Read family was keen to ensure that any new lighting scheme was not only highly energy efficient, but also delivered high quality colour rendering, whilst safeguarding the exhibits against the damaging effects of UV radiation and contributing towards a comfortable and inspiring atmosphere.

Director at the gallery, Mark Read, worked alongside Rodney Fittinghoff, consultant at lighting design company, Streamlight to find the most suitable solution for the four exhibition areas within the gallery. Originally lit by 50W dichroic lamps on standard track, Fittinghoff was tasked with sourcing a lighting solution that delivered quality light, was environmentally sensitive and cost-effective; LED lamp technology was the obvious solution. After a series of mock-ups, using lamps at different angles to accommodate the various art forms, Streamlight settled on a single make of lamp for the entire installation – MEGAMAN^®’s 15W LED AR111 reflector.

Due to the necessity for the gallery to remain open during normal working hours, it was also decided that the lighting refurbishment be phased to minimise disruption and Streamlight looked into the feasibility of reusing the existing track. A bespoke track adaptor was created to house the AR111s, not only minimising disruption to the gallery still further, but maximising cost-efficiencies as well.

The finished lighting schemes in the four exhibition spaces use a mix of MEGAMAN^®’s LED AR111 15W lamps with 8 and 24 degree beam angle lamps; the wide angle lamps lighting the artwork and the narrow beam highlighting specific details. In addition MEGAMAN^®’s LED PAR16 7W lamps were used in the administrative centre, to increase the energy efficiency of the scheme still further.

With MEGAMAN^®’s patented Thermal Conductive Highway™ (TCH) technology which delivers superb heat dissipation, lighting performance and lumen maintenance, and lasting up to 13 times longer and using 80% less power than halogen equivalents, MEGAMAN^®’s LED AR111 was the ideal solution for the Everard Read Gallery. With the same high quality light intensity and colour rendering of traditional AR111 spotlights (colour rendering of up to Ra92), but with no UV or IR light radiation or residual glare, the LED AR111 range is ideal for use in gallery applications. In addition it offers users significant energy savings, low maintenance costs and powerful luminous intensity (up to 16,000cd at 8 degree beam angle), making the MEGAMAN^® LED AR111 an ideal replacement for 50W halogen equivalents.

The Everard Read Gallery lighting refurbishment was achieved with minimum disruption to clients and the end result is a scheme that brings drama and energy-efficiency to the gallery, ensuring that this beautifully inviting space looks its best for many years to come.

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