Freak out moments, mirror obsession and confusion called for a google search.  Look what I found, ”I’m a big believer in air pollution causing acne. With a heap of dirty air particles flying around settling on our skin, getting into our pores and irritating our skin. It’s the perfect set up for blocked up pores and spreading bacteria for making a pimple.” Check out the city that caused this writer the most acne!  I figured that the brushes of wind walking through the tube station was not a breeze of fresh air. I will never complain again over one pms zit.

Finally, after about a week, I am out of incognito and ready to embrace the city full force.  I forgive you London. I have been known to have sensitive skin.  Plus, once I lifted the hat from over my face I realized how good you look in “green.”  I must admit my expectations were kind of low. I was first focusing too much on the fact that I was wearing a sweater in August and not embracing the energy of the city. Which was completely insane as the Olympics were going on all around me.  So, when I opened my soul up,  I sensed a city embracing the importance of a well-being lifestyle full of fresh produce, nature, and fit Brits!

I live in a yogi, farm to table, infused bubble in Santa Monica, CA and trying to emulate that anywhere I go will only lead to disappointment. Not saying you can’t find the bubbles of Santa Monica in other areas, but trying to produce your comfort in another city just leads to arms folded (closed off) to new experiences.  Although, I did kindly asked the universe for some sunshine. I needed some necessary hoopla to get me groovin.  I did my asanas and mantras to the Deity of weather and we were granted over a week of summer bliss. You’re welcome Londoners.

Once out and about I was pretty impressed how easy it was to find fresh organic foods.  Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or just trying to eat healthy food on the go, it can be a bit intense for anyone that is concerned about what to eat when visiting another country for a few weeks.  Quick tip: always carry almonds or a greens energy bar no matter where you go.  Since I have my wellness quirks, I was on a mission to find those health spots around town. I know what I need to balance my mind, body, and soul on a daily basis.  It’s important I take the time out to explore what the city has to offer before I start complaining. I’m not on a safari in Africa, if I were I would deal with no kale. But, I’m in a major metropolitan city for over two weeks. I know kale is close by and outdoor activities are everywhere.

With help from google, friends, and leisurely strolls around the London areas, I was able to scope out a variety of authentic, fresh, blissful spots.  With a week and a half in, let me offer you some insight into London’s wellness living :

• “London will feast on the fabulous local produce being grown, produced and cooked on its doorstep, with the capital city’s first Urban Food Week.” – Ethical Eats.  My friends and I are heading to a “pop up” dinner under the London Bridge to celebrate.

• Healthy Food Markets: Wholefoods Locations are scattered around the city which I was very pleased about (comfort zone.) The one I visit in Kensington has restaurants on the top floor with free wifi!  Although, walking around the city I found tons of mini Wholefoods. I had a chance to wonder into Portobello Wholefoods (no affiliation with WholeFoods) in Notting Hill as well as a few Holland & Barretts.
• Markets, Markets and more Markets. The cool thing about London markets is they all are so different. If you are looking for fresh produce you will be happy at any one of them but, I highly recommend Borough Market.  Looking for some really cool vintage clothes and accessories?  Then I would head to Portobello or Camden Market. A quick tasty bite between work, play and hopefully sunshine, then  Whitecross Street is where to go.
• Organic Restaurants are lurking around every corner in London. I had to check out Tom’s Kitchen in Chelsea.  It was highly recommended by friends back in the states. I was happily satisfied with my Sunday Brunch (Fresh seed and nut breads with home made pesto and tapenade dippings, followed by a tomato salad and Eggs Royale paired with a delicious Bloody Mary to celebrate the day.) Next stop,   The Gate, a vegetarian restaurant of French and Italian influence my friend has been dying to check out.
• Green, Green and more Green: Hyde, St. James, Regent’s just to name a few.  A must must must are the green parks throughout the city.  Morning runs, afternoon lunch, lazy Sundays, these parks allow for an extra breath of air living amongst the city’s tube, people, and buildings. I say a must throughout the week!
• A Need for Water: Brighten Beach is about an hour away. A bit too far when you are just looking for a quick fix.  Little Venice and Hyde Park will definitely do. Little Venice is a picturesque scene of canals and narrow boats streaming along the water while Hyde Park is perfect for peace and quiet.

A Glimpse of one lovely day in London, Shoreditch style:  Morning began with writing at Fix coffee shop which hosted a suit and indie crowd. I sipped my dirty chia with organic milk before walking up and down Whitecross Market to grab lunch before stopping at an organic whole foods truck.  I enjoyed my meal in a park just across the street.

London, you are treating me well!

Other resource you can check out to find many many more healthy pieces of London:

• More health food stores in London: Here
• Interested in the London market scene? Here are more options.
• Top Five Organic restaurants in London
• More parks in London. Check out activities to do throughout the parks.
• Yoga in the park on Summer Sundays! Yoga is spread out through London, just google.

Wellness Grade: B
If half the fish and chips/beer bars vanished with the cigarettes this place would be a solid A!

Whether designing the interior of a hotel, museum, exhibition or corporate identity it is no longer enough for designers to produce wonderful designs to capture our attention; they have a responsibility to ensure their designs are both eco-friendly and environmentally compliant.

Some design consultancies are only just waking up to the idea of repositioning themselves to embrace and deliver these green initiatives.

SMA design’s own eco evolution started over 7 years ago, which leaves our consultancy uniquely positioned to support the client.

Our designers have researched and adopted the most advantageous and principles from around the world into our various designs.

The aim of the event is to create an opportunity for an intense day of design and eco brainstorming to create a truly unique green car design concept.

For full details go to: 12:grn:hrs workshop

Small eco ideas, big changes – we love it! Let’s look further into how to:

Green your computer

Your computer already contributes a great deal towards you being eco, for example: You shop online (+ save fuel) and browse online trough catalogues and newspapers (bye bye paper).

So here are my 6 simple steps to turn your PC / Printer green:

1. Set up your computer to hibernate.
2. Open the power settings of your computer and set them to optimal energy use.
3. Utilize refilled ink cartridges and as added bonus safe some money as well
4. Use recycled paper (or even better go paperless).
5. Give your computer breathing space – Make sure air can flow freely around; this keeps the fan cooler and uses less energy.
6. Evidently when not in use turn it off (and I mean really turn it off – not on stand-by): computer, printer scanner etc

Now let’s make the effort in fine tuning your computer to the green side.

Jessica W.

Eco tips archive:

1. Reduce Reuse Recycle
2. Go Green – Go Paperless
3. Waste-free lunch

Light Tape® International Applications

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Light Tape® Looks Like Tape….Lights Like Neon!

For more information on Light Tape visit our web site on: http://www.lighttape.co.uk or for the latest update’s our Blog at: http://lighttapeuk.wordpress.com/

About Light Tape UK Limited

Based in Barnsley South Yorkshire Light Tape UK Limited is the exclusive distributor for Electro-LuminX products in the UK and Ireland.

For further information please contact:  Mike Hardcastle, Managing Director,

Light Tape UK Limited.

7 Meadowfield Drive, Hoyland, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. S74 0QE

Telephone: +44 (0)845 617 0697   Mob: +44 (0) 7899 790 669

email: info@lighttape.co.uk web page: http://www.lighttape.co.uk

Already used in 2009 on the external walls of the Darwin building at the college featuring the words “Darwin Walk” in Morse code, the finished result proved so effective that it has been replicated for Foster Court.

For more information on Light Tape® go to: http://www.lighttape.co.uk

The display features the words “Foster Court” in Morse code, with all the “dots” and “dashes” being made from Light Tape® in its “Cut out Shapes” form. The attached photographs show the display at night and, even with the ambient lighting from the windows and other light sources the Light Tape® shapes certainly do the job of providing a bright and colourful finishing touch to this newly renovated walk way.

This particular project, once again, required the energy saving Light Tape® product to be presented in the form of “cut outs”, where all the pieces were custom cut from Light Tape® Extreme Series electroluminescent panels as required and encapsulated in a Honeywell Clarus film. The figures In this case, were 300mm circles, “dots” and 300mm x up to 2m lengths, “dashes”. Each “cut out” was fitted with a heavy duty 3M Resin Sealed IP68 Rated Connector including wire, ready for installation. Vibramount adhesive strip was applied, in turn, to each of the prepared chosen sights for the installation of the shapes; which were then individually positioned on to the vibramount and sealed into place under, sized, clear polycarbonate sheeting then screwed to the receiving wall, providing additional protection of the Light Tape® shapes from the elements. Once fitted in to place all of the shapes were wired back to the mains supply through channeling fixed across the top of buildings wall via a Light Tape® Smart Driver™ power unit. The lighting is controlled by a photocell further ensuring sensible power usage.

It is fair to say that had the shapes been supplied using the traditional form of signage, florescent display boxes, the end results would have proved bulkier at around 75mm thick as opposed to 6mm using the Light Tape® alternative. The light tubes would have been visible through the front of the sign even through the coloured plastic covering, causing the light distribution to be uneven and creating uneven colour, so aesthetically the overall effect would have been much less pleasing and the display would have been easily damageable. The maintenance costs would also be higher and the ongoing power consumption would be at least 20 times greater (this estimate is conservative).

The original design of the Light Tape® display at Foster Court was done by Max Fordham Consulting Engineers, the installation was carried out by Alpine Works Limited, both based in the London.

For the latest updates on Light Tape® visit our Blog: http://lighttapeuk.wordpress.com

About Light Tape UK Limited

Based in Barnsley South Yorkshire Light Tape UK Limited is the exclusive distributor for Electro-LuminX products in the UK and Ireland.

For further information please contact:  Mike Hardcastle, Managing Director,

Light Tape UK Ltd. 7 Meadowfield Drive, Hoyland, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. S74 0QE

Telephone: +44 (0)845 617 0697   Mob: +44 (0) 7899 790 669

email: info@lighttape.co.uk web page: www.lighttape.co.uk

Strata SE1: image from Wikimedia.

London’s progress towards being a greener city took another leap this month, as the blades of the Elephant & Castle’s new £1.3million Strata building creaked into motion at last.

The tallest residential structure in London has already been attracting attention: whether you call it the Electric Razor, the Lipstick, or “the kind of heroically stylised building you would expect to see in some 1930s sci-fi movie,” at 43 storeys the Strata is not a building to ignore. This summer Building Design magazine awarded it the 2010 Carbuncle Cup award for ugliest building, and it hit the news a week later for being so “tropical” that its few early-uptake residents couldn’t stay indoors.

That problem was blamed on under-occupation of the building, which wasn’t yet finished, due to internal ventilation doors being shut. But with more people moving in, the system’s efficiency should improve. The wind turbines – the first in the world to be mounted directly into the structure of the building – are expected to generate 8% of the energy needs of the building. As the electricity grid is decarbonised, this would add nicely to the building’s carbon savings.

But looking at it another way, the wind turbines will be powering 8% of three lifts, automated window-cleaning rigs, and the lighting, heating and ventilation of its public spaces, which include an underground car park.

Ellis Woodman, the Daily Telegraph architecture critic who led the Carbuncle Cup judging panel, has said: “A skyscraper is an energy-greedy building form, both in terms of construction, and the power needed to take people to their front doors in a lift. To top one off with some wind turbines is the worst sort of greenwashing.”

The eyes of the world, and especially the energy-saving world, are on the Strata building. Its 9-metre turbines have five blades, rather than the usual three, to reduce airborne noise, and are mounted on a 5-tonne inertia base – mounted on four anti-vibration dampers. (On a large scale, this is pretty much the same engineering that prevents your washing machine shaking round your kitchen when it spins.) So, will it be feasible to live underneath what even its promoters are calling a small windfarm?

Strata’s residents are the front-line reporters who will tell us whether these turbines are really the beginning of a greener future, or whether it was really all a greenwash.

In fact, although they live in an energy-hungry tower they can still take matters into their own hands and use energy wisely in their own homes. The Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College recently reported that energy efficient behaviour in the home may be even more important than we thought in cutting CO₂ emissions. So, Strata residents: we’ll give you a helping hand right here.

Coming soon: Kinetica, in Dalston.  

Standard illuminated nosings using LEDs have, due to their size, been limited to the front of the nosing on the face of the riser which means they can be seen only when going up the stairs. For LEDs to be bright enough to illuminate the lower tread, the resulting glare can prove visually distracting and possibly even a safety hazard.

LumaGrip™ uses Light Tape’s patented Electroluminescent technology combined with a transparent, anti slip 50mm wide tread that is illuminated without glare and can be seen when going both up and down the stairs.

LumaGrip™ Illuminated Anti-Slip inserts have been developed to fit into standard Aluminium and uPVC profiles, timber stairs and decking.
LumaGrip™ is available in a variety of sizes with either 6mm and 12mm Light Tape® illuminated strips for both indoor and outdoor applications in a variety of Light Tape® colours.

LumaGrip™ connections are embedded in an ip68 rated resin making the connections waterproof for outdoor use.

LumaGrip™ is expected to retail in the UK at £35.00 to £50.00 per linear meter dependant on configuration.

See LumaGrip™ at Light+Building in Frankfurt from 11th to 16th April 2010 Hall 4.2 K60

LumaGrip™ driven by Light Tape®.

For more information go to: http://www.lighttape.co.uk

Light Tape®

Light Tape® uses less than one twentieth of the power and is half the price of Neon and Cold Cathode display lighting, it is flexible, easier to install and maintain, reduces light pollution, produces no waste heat or infrared light, is fully recyclable, uses No Gas, No Glass and No Mercury.

Light Tape® is the longest and brightest electroluminescent lamp in the world. It can be supplied in a range of colours and widths, in lengths up to 100m. Driven by specially devised power supplies, it can be used in flashing or steady state modes in indoor or outdoor applications. The design is safe with no mercury, no glass to break or gas to escape and it’s highly energy efficient too. In application, it is easy to install, requiring virtually no maintenance compared to alternative lighting technologies.

Light Tape® is being used in both the Korean and Brazilian Subway systems as Emergency Egress Escape lighting it is also being used around the world in Safety Garments and is presently on test illuminating level crossing barriers.

“Light Tape® was found to be more visible in smoke than LEDS after a smoke test performed by the San Paolo Fire Department. The Fire Commission found Light Tape® to be clearly visible and provided enough illumination to navigate in emergencies. Brazilian Subway, San Paolo”

A NASA study for the Air Force on Electroluminescent Lighting  showed the technology was easily visible from distances over five miles away. Notably Light Tape®  light penetrates fog, smoke, snow, haze and other normally poor visibility conditions.

http://www.lighttape.co.uk/knowledge/USAF%20Electroluminescent%20Lighting%20Study.pdf

What is Light Tape®?

Light Tape® is made up of metal ribbon coated in Sylvania phosphor and encapsulated in a Honeywell laminate. Light Tape® has no glass, no gas, and no mercury/heavy metals and so is user and environment friendly. Light Tape® provides an 85% – 90% energy saving against other commercially available light sources such as Neon and Cold Cathode and due to its thinness (just 0.5mm thick, as thin as a business card) and being lightweight, affords inherent flexibility of use providing a neater, modern, space saving alterative that is easy to install with little to no maintenance and has a long working life. For further information go to: www.lighttape.co.uk

### 

About Light Tape UK Limited

Based in Barnsley South Yorkshire Light Tape UK Limited is the exclusive distributor for Electro-LuminX products in the UK and Ireland.

For further information please contact:  Mike Hardcastle, Managing Director,

Light Tape UK Ltd. 7 Meadowfield Drive, Hoyland, Barnsley, South Yorkshire. S74 0QE

Telephone: +44 (0)845 617 0697   Mob: +44 (0) 7899 790 669

email: info@lighttape.co.uk                web page: www.lighttape.co.uk

Is London going green? Indeed it seems like it since the mayor proposed clean air standards for taxis and that would take effect in time for the London Olympics 2012.

Eco City who sells and services taxis has announced the launch of an electric version of the Mercedes-Benz Vito taxi, the e-Vito.

Londoners are already used to grabbing rides in the regular vito since 2008 which has become a serious competitor to Manganese Bronze, the company which builds the traditional black taxis.
So with the future existence of the e-vito are we saying goodbye to our regular black cabs?
We should it’s an environmental concern for all of us.

For more information go to: www.lighttape.co.uk

Light Tape® uses less than one tenth of the power and is one third of the price of Neon and Cold Cathode display lighting, it is flexible, easier to install and maintain, reduces light pollution, produces no waste heat or infrared light, is fully recyclable, uses No Gas, No Glass and No Mercury.

Light Tape® with its wealth of benefits, versatility, ease of application, cost effectiveness and extremely low carbon footprint is fast becoming the chosen, viable alternative to more traditional forms of display lighting.
(1 Watt per Meter at 25mm (1”) wide, a 100m length of 25mm wide Light Tape® only uses the same power as a 100w light bulb),

Architecture, Automotive, Advertising, Interior Design, Exhibitions, Events, Marine, Point of Sale, Hotels, Bars, Restaurants, Safety Clothing, Emergency Egress, Health and Safety are just a few of the sectors benefitting from this exciting, innovative light source. Our web site has now been updated including the picture, animation and video galleries. Go to http://www.lighttape.co.uk/?content=movie to see the latest Light Tape®  applications video’s.

Light Tape® s produce an 85~90% energy saving compared to Neon, fluorescent and Cold Cathode display lighting.  The Light Tape®  EL light itself is just 0.5mm thick and with its inherent flexibility can be mounted on any surface and is optionally available with self-adhesive backing tape.

Light Tape®  is the longest and brightest electroluminescent lamp in the world. It can be supplied in a range of colours and widths, in lengths up to 300ft. Driven by specially devised power supplies, it can be used in flashing or steady state modes in indoor or outdoor applications. The design is safe with no mercury, no glass to break or gas to escape and it’s highly energy efficient too. In application, it is easy to install, requiring virtually no maintenance compared to alternative lighting technologies.

A NASA study for the Air Force on Electroluminescent Lighting  showed the technology was easily visible from distances over five miles away. Notably Light Tape®  light penetrates fog, smoke, snow, haze and other normally poor visibility conditions. http://www.lighttape.co.uk/knowledge/USAF%20Electroluminescent%20Lighting%20Study.pdf

What is Light Tape® ?

Light Tape®  is made up of a DuPont electrode coated in a Sylvania phosphor and encapsulated in a Honeywell laminate. Light Tape®  has no glass, no gas, and no mercury/heavy metals and so is user and environment friendly. Light Tape®  provides an 85% – 90% energy saving against other commercially available light sources such as Neon and Cold Cathode and due to its thinness (just 0.5mm thick, as thin as a business card) and being lightweight, affords inherent flexibility of use providing a neater, modern, space saving alterative that is easy to install with little to no maintenance and has a long working life. For further information go to: www.lighttape.co.uk

Development kits for Light Tape®  enabling systems to be easily developed, tried and tested are now available from Light Tape  UK which operates with full sales and marketing capabilities, as well as warehousing to enable fast delivery from stock. Light Tape®  UK will also provide full back-up and support as well as advice and assistance in system design and requirements.

About Light Tape®  UK Limited: Based in Barnsley South Yorkshire Light Tape®  UK Limited is the exclusive distributor for Electro-LuminX products in the UK and Ireland.

For further information please contact:
Mike Hardcastle, Managing Director

Light Tape  UK Ltd.
7 Meadowfield Drive,
Hoyland,
Barnsley,
South Yorkshire.
S74 0QE

Telephone: +44 (0)845 617 0697

Mob: +44 (0) 7899 790 669

email: info@lighttape.co.uk

The London Eye overlooking the green beauty of London

Through our individual actions, we all can make a difference to our environment in improving the air we breathe by controlling our contribution to pollution. The choices that we make about transport, energy use and buying goods have a remarkable and uprising impact. It is prominent that that there is a strong need to implement the changes and bring them into action because one person cannot make a revolutionary modification to minimize the pollution levels. To conserve energy, on Saturday, 28 March 2009 at 8.30 pm, people, business and iconic buildings around the world had switched off their lights for an hour and it was termed as WWF’s Earth Hour London played a major role in saving and consuming energy during this golden hour, by switching off lights of the famous historic landmarks like Buckingham Palace, London Eye and many others to contribute to the global effort to save energy. London Mayor Boris Johnson had also suggested he’ll be relaxing in tranquility in his darkened office calmly during WWF’s Earth Hour.