In a similar vein as the L Prize and X Prize, the American Lighting Association’s (ALA) Lighting for Tomorrow competition encourages the development of energy-efficient products for everyday users. The competition rewards manufacturers’ for producing lighting fixtures that both work efficiently and serve an aesthetic function in homes. The ALA announced winners this September 16^th, 2008 at their conference. Sea Gull Lighting, a consummate leader in the lighting industry, won for outstanding design in the Outdoor Lighting Category for their Eternity Collection.

Sea Gull Lighting is a charter member of the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program. The program is a brand in itself indicating to consumers that labeled products were developed to meet its strict energy usage standards. Sea Gull Lighting has worked in collaboration with the program to produce products that have won the Lighting For Tomorrow annual competition in multiple categories over the years. The Energy Star program has also recognized Sea Gull Lighting as their Sustained Excellence Winner for 2008.

This year’s Eternity Collection has a modern aesthetic focusing on simple, clean design. It is a reflection of its creators’ economy of design and function. The body is made of steel with a brushed nickel finish supporting satin-etched glass. The collection has a strong central beam, wide curving arms, and a signature horizontal line in each design.

Much like the Progressive Automotive X Prize, the Department of Energy has its own challenge for the Lighting Industry. For the possibilities of gaining virtually free marketing relationships with utility companies and a substantial market share, major manufacturers and start-ups are competing at three levels: (1) replace the 60 watt incandescent bulb with one that uses less than 10 watts of electricity, (2) replace the halogen bulb with one using less than 11 watts and (3) a 21st Century lamp. Stay lit for news of these developments.

I had one roommate, unaccustomed to living outside suburbia, whom expressed fears of living in anything “different”. At that time, a group of us were undergoing discussions about possible housing situations and gauging important variables like the character of the surrounding community, transportation costs, bar proximity, garage space and yardage. We had just graduated from college and wanted an extra year together while we made the transition to the working life. The five of us ended up in a four bedroom, two and a half bath house with three garages and a small dry yard. And you could only enter from an alley. It was a relatively safe and mix neighborhood in central San Diego. Life wasn’t so bad away from perfection.

As people lose their buying power, new housing subdivisions become phantoms belonging to a by-gone post-war affluent fantasy. They stand as mirages in our collective desert. We have to ask ourselves, “How feasible is it to get away from everything?” Better yet, how much space can one afford? Many thought this mode of life could last forever.

How can we make living sustainable to last future generations? More...