The need to ensure that the numerous artefacts could be illuminated without risk of damage played a part in leading the project’s lighting designer, DHA Design, to specify the DIGIDIM system, which is used in conjunction with Helvar’s fully customisable wall-mounted LCD TouchPanel.
In the case of the exhibition’s centrepiece – a 55sqm Iranian carpet (pictured) dating from around 1540 – the DIGIGIM control system allows the carpet to be illuminated at certain times only, in order to avoid light damage. Elsewhere, the DIGIDIM system oversees a mixture of fully adjustable, concealed internal and external lamps and fibre optics, as well as a number of downlighters.
“Helvar’s DIGIDIM system seemed to fit all of the project requirements,” said Desmond O’Donovan from DHA Design. “We were able to effectively prepare a control schematic that covered all of the requirements from security to environmental adjustment.”
“Helvar has been involved with the design and advance of the DALI system since the project’s inception,” Steve Buckley, Helvar UK sales manager, told II. “The use of Helvar controls based on the DALI protocol in high-profile locations such as the V&A, which requires particularly precise operations, demonstrates the versatility of both Helvar controls and the DALI platform.”
