Gorgeous & Green - Global Green USA

On Dec. 12th., Global Green USA, along with various celebrities and green innovators we took part of the Gorgeous & Green Event at the Bently Reserve (Old Fed Building) in San Francisco, CA. Sillapere Events from San Francisco focuses on sustainable events. They use green friendly and sustainable solutions to their innovative design. Working with Sillapere and their staff in the past on various projects we were delighted to be asked to work with them again. We provided our various supply of LEDs with other energy efficient lighting and Eileen Reo from IO Lighting supplied (12) 3' x 5° LED strips from the 'line 2.0 series'. We used (10) white (3000° K) for cove backlighting and (2) Green line strips for wall washers. I thought I'd share a link from the footage that was shot for 'View from the Bay' on ABC 7. The site says the video footage will be available for about 90days. Pictures won't be available for a little while on our site, but there is some nice information out there about the event, the amazing fashion show, and Global Green on Google. We kept to a really simple design and used highlights to bring out various portions of the elements. The Tactile Zone featuring various living designs had a nice dim light glow. It wasn't so pleasing for somes cameras, (especially cell cameras) but for the eye, it was relaxing and we accomplished more by doing so. By working more LEDs into our design we hope to achieve a much more sustainable approach to green lighting design. We used conventional lighting, but again we kept it to a minimum and created a nice ambiance for a lounge, fashion show runway, vip lounge, silent auction, and even the new 'Tesla Car' out side. While any event is meaningful in its own way, sustainable events and projects, green building and energy. We're excited to be part in any capacity.

Fire Arts Festival

This last weekend was a very memorable event. reFRACTion provided lighting & audio for the main stage at the annual Fire Arts Festival for The Crucible. They are a non-profit educational facility in Oakland, CA. Focusing on a wide range of eccletic art. Welding, Kinetics, Neon, Forging, Jewelry Making, Glass, & Etc. We were asked to design the whole interior of the VIP tent. Lighting, Audio, & the Environment. We also unveiled our Mobil Light Studio using ESP Vision 2.0 and the newly released Hog III PC Software. Everything went without a glitch and worked seamlessly. (Other than the Tesla coils interrupting the DMX Signal.... However we were prepared for that and had a plan B that worked seamlessly). The shots are from the studio during pre-visualization and then the live performance.

LED & Techno Harlan

So with Harlan's help, we figured out how to put 4ch. LED fixtures on the Hog. Pretty easy actually. Using a typical 3ch. LED profile with the remaining 4th. channel patched as a dimmer. I had a show with Artemis the next night in Santa Cruz so we tested everything by pre-visualizing the show. "Lighting Guy" the game is quite fun!!!

Watermark Tower

I wanted to post a pic of the job we recently did for the Grand Opening of the Watermark Tower Building in San Francisco. This is the first building you see from the Bay Bridge as you enter SF on the left. The event was supposed to be on the 4th Floor Terrace in a clear topped tent, however due to downpour and high wind advisory we had to move the party into the parking garage. The guests were amazed!

Good things come in small packages!!!

We received our delivery of wood today. 95% of our building plans should be framed out by the end of the month. Plywood for the loft/office floor and the 20' beam the structural engineer suggested we install. Plenty of other fixings to shape this place up. I think the beginning of the summer we'll have the open house and celebrate.

Sustainable Events

reFRACTion was welcomed to participate in a morning event that explored creating "Sustainable Events". This was produced by Sillapere Events of San Francisco, Feb. 9th. at Big House Studios. Topics ranged from Decor Elements, Local Farmers, LED Lighting, Green Power, Green Certs., Re-Use & Bio-Degradable materials. We used a couple of LED fixtures to enhance an entry hallway to showcase emerging technologies. As we soon realized we all had a lot of common ideas on creating beautiful events and working with alternative energy sources and solutions. I was asked to speak for a few minutes on alternative energy ideas and concepts. Small solar-powered sound systems, bio-diesel generators, LED stage lighting. I thought it would be important to discuss what is right around the bend if there is interest for it. It was very inspiring nonetheless. Thanks to Sara & Nicole for putting it together!

SAG Awards 2006

This is the 3rd. year reFRACTion has been asked to design the lighting for the SAG After Party. Held in numerous tents in the backstage lot of the Shrine Auditorium in LA. Believe it or not it is mostly a 'white' show. Even though it is white it is very impressive and quite beautiful. Hopefully we'll post some pics in the near future in our 'Portfollio' under the 'Tents' section of the website. 7 full days of setup and 1 day for strike. I will be ready for that hot tub appt. I made when I get home on Tuesday.

Round One

I thought it would be cool to post a little rendering of the new space. We just installed the staircase and are now working in the upstairs office. There is plenty more work to do. More posings soon!