Apure is lighting as a lifestyle and caters to the desired lifestyle of a project. The innovative lighting and fixture design company considers careful coordination with architects and engineers an integral part of the planning process for every project. As interior designers, the Apure masters of illumination take a holistic approach to get the results that have set them apart as leaders in their industry.
Oli Koch, Apure’s Creative Director, beautifully articulates the bespoke lighting design experience in our recent question and answer session.
Acoustic Architects: What was the inception of your company?
Oli Koch: Apure got started eight years ago, engineering and manufacturing lighting fixtures. To elevate us to a competitive level in the global market, Uli, the founder and CEO, went to Porsche Design Studio in Austria. They are a daughter company of Porsche, Germany, with an in-depth understanding of the international market, the manufacturing process, and the highest quality standards, and now design a majority of our lighting fixtures.
What sets your company apart from competitors in your field?
Our placement within the market is such that we do not consider competitors. Apure is producing beautiful fixtures, and we are very service-oriented. An expert understanding of the scale and lifestyle of our clients allows us to custom-tailor and personalize all stages of the project, even up to the moment the client moves in. Clients go with us regardless of pricing. This allows us to be very selective about the projects we are involved in.
Porsche Design Studio
Tell us about the most classic Apure designs.
The Louvre, milled from a solid block of recycled aluminum, was the symbiosis between the straight arch and round light source. It has a shadow gap, which gives it strength and importance because it creates more of a 3-dimensional feeling. The soft shape and “free” radius suggest and visualize dynamic. There is a certain softness to it. All of our fixtures have that same significant design element present in the signature Apure Louvre.
Why is the Apure Minus fixture so revolutionary?
For several reasons. First, it is rated “insulation contact” as standard, so it can touch AC and mechanical equipment within the ceiling. And it can go anywhere you want it to in the project. This fixture made Apure extremely successful in the industry. It is a Class 2 fixture, meaning you install the power supply remotely, and then run low voltage cable to the fixtures from the remote power supply. This takes away a need for housing the fixtures. Also, we were also able to shrink down the whole Apure line because of the success of the minus, from 4” x 4” to 2” x 2” surface-mounted fixtures.
How did the evolution of Apure’s fixtures change the aesthetics of your lighting designs?
The fixtures essentially disappear during the daytime. You can’t really see them unless you are looking for them. They can be recessed in materials other than drywall, such as stone or wood. Thus avoiding a disruption of the flow in design elements.
What are your clients excited about right now in regard to smart lighting design?
The trend is toward smart lighting controls. People love it, and they want intuitive technology, but it does make them dependent upon a strong integrator. Also, in Europe, the trend is toward the “divided brain.” Each fixture is smart and they talk to each other. This will reduce the amount of wiring needed for each project. We expect it to hit the US market soon.
What is the future for Apure?
Increased end-user access and flexibility. We will constantly improve production, and ensure everything is as sustainable and recyclable as possible. There is a need to constantly improve and control production and at the same time stay sustainable and recyclable. Design-wise, technology changes at a certain speed, so we will adapt to stay relevant. We also have ethical concerns regarding the times we are living in and staying culturally sympathetic to all of our markets.
Tell us about the Apure Challenge.
We’ve just introduced a challenge to Architects, Designers, and students, to design a table lamp for Apure. We have a serious jury of design professionals who will decide the winner. There is additionally an opportunity for an entrant to see their fixture come to life as part of a limited production series in our product lineup for 2021. It is an effort to give back, interact, and bring an innovative product to life.
The Acoustic Architects Connection
When did you first meet Acoustic Architects?
Not too long ago. We were working on a beach house residence with a mutual architect. And most recently, we’ve worked on an extensive magnificent project residence together.
How are you and Acoustic Architects working symbiotically?
Plans change and evolve constantly. With Acoustic Architects, we have good coordination and spirit of the team, relying on each other to make sure things flow smoothly. Acoustic Architects have the same work ethic, speak, and precision that Apure aims for.
What do you value the most about collaborating with Acoustic Architects?
We’ve become friends, care about each other, and have mutual respect. They are good people and incredibly professional. They know exactly what they are doing, and work extended hours to make sure the project is done perfectly. It is difficult to control all parts of the project, but they make the product perform in the way it was intended.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about architectural lighting design, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
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