Swedbank’s new international headquarters by architectural firm 3XN is an innovative interpretation if the core values of the organisation: openness, simplicity and care. These have been translated into a modern architectural space with an emphasis on transparency and the creation of a good social environment. Stretching across an entire block, the building takes the form of a triple V structure – a design concept intended to both break up the volume and make it easier to connect both people and spaces. The largely transparent facades bring in plenty of daylight, highlighting the spectacular semi-public atrium spaces.  Natural wayfinding is another key part of the design, with two spiral staircases providing key orientation points.  Social spaces are placed around a central axis facilitating interaction and good internal communication for employees.

British designer and manufacturer of architectural LED products for exterior façades and hospitality lighting, acdc, will be demonstrating its toolkit of luminaires to bring buildings to life at this year’s Light + Building exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, from 13 – 18 March.   The exhibition will provide the launch platform for three new products including the Fusion 12 2000 lumens flood, the 4800 lumens per metre Blade external linear family and a market leading wallwash downlight with an outstanding vertical performance.

The international lighting corporation Zumtobel Group has acquired as of today a majority holding in UK lighting company AC/DC LED Holdings Ltd (acdc). The company based in Barrowford, north of Manchester, is an innovative supplier of high-end LED lighting solutions with a focus on the architectural façade and hospitality segments. acdc started off its business with high brightness LED luminaires in 2001.