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L I GHTPI ESWe bring you sun, beauty and brightness

How to bring daylight where it is missing

issue 1

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here are different kinds of coincidences. We forget about some of them very quickly, but others are called tragedies... And some can open up paths in a big way. Some could be described by the brilliant Isaac Newton – after all, he did not just sit under an apple tree and nothing fell on his head, as it is told, but he discovered the law of gravity while observing an apple on a tree during a full moon. I experienced a similar coincidence in 1998 and it concerned another deeply examined phenomenon: light. I was reading an article on light pipes in an American magazine while on the toilet. I was reading by the light of an electric bulb because there was no daylight in the room. Until that time, my company had produced and installed roofs, but after reading that article I could have shouted Eureka! That’s how our company, Lightway, started. In 1999 we produced our first light pipe. From that time we have been bringing daylight into rooms which would normally have none. We guarantee direct sales, and customers get light pipes with professional installation and a full warrantee directly from the producer.

You are now holding the first issue of our company newsletter Light Pipes. Every three months we will provide news from the industry, invitations to interesting events and advice about how to bring more light into your life. We are looking forward to meeting you on the pages of Light Pipes (even if you use a normal light bulb to read) as well as in our company.

I wish you beautiful and radiant days!Jakub Brandalík

Executive of Lightway s. r. o.

EDITORIAL

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CONTENTS

I was reading an article on light pipes in an American magazine while on the toilet. I was reading by the light of an electric bulb because there was no daylight in the room.

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Pg 2 Editorial

Pg 3 Light: A Necessity of Life

Pgs 4-5 Introducing: Lightway

Pgs 6-7 7 Things You Should Know Before Getting a Light Pipe

Pgs 8-9 Blue Performance: Lightway’s Specialty

Pgs 10-11Stairways in BuildingsCentral Park

Pgs 12-13 We Love Trade Fairs!

Pg 13 Light at the end...

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PUBLISHER: PROSPECTEA Česká republika, s. r. o., Lisabonská 2394/4, 190 00 Praha 9, IČ: 29028809, redakce@prospectea.czRegistration Number: MK ČR E 20754

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DEPRESSING DIMMNESSLack of light has an immediate impact on

human health. It ruins your eyes, which become watery and weakened at work from the strain it causes. It can disrupt sleep and hormonal cycles and cause your body to fail in properly breaking down vitamins and minerals. A lack of light lowers our effectiveness, causes weight gain, increases feelings of depression, apathy, mood swings, occurrences of illness, and has also been linked to an increase in suicide rate. Specialists have even named some health problems caused by lack of light SAD syndrome (Seasonal Affective Disorder). This occurs in people in times of reduced light, from autumn to spring, when an increase in the mentioned symptoms appears. This syndrome can be eased not only by medication, but also by ever more popular light therapy.

PHENOMENON

A NECESSITY OF LIFEWithout light, life would not exist; every third-grader knows this. Green plants would soon die if they did not have the light they need for photosynthesis. Animals and people would soon die out in the same way, lacking the plants they require not only for food, but more for the oxygen produced by green organisms which we need to breathe. We do not have to imagine an apocalyptic vision. We need light in order to work well, have fun, read, do sports… And also in order to be physically and psychologically healthy.

EDISON AND THE OTHERSFrom ancient times people have tried to obtain

light after the sun had gone down and it had become dark. People invented the most various torches and light containers, as well as candles which would drip as little wax as possible. The best of them began shining in 1879 with Thomas Alva Edison’s light bulb. However, he was not the first, as we might have learnt at school. A predecessor had also succeeded in constructing

a light bulb, German clock-maker and inventor Heinrich Göbel, who began lighting the display windows of his shop in 1855, but apparently did not have enough money to be given a patent. There are other genius men who have left deep tracks in the research of electric current and deserve their share in the glory. Nikola Tesla, František Křižík, Alessandro Volta, André Marie Ampére, Michael Faraday, Georg Simon Ohm, Humphry Davy and others earned recognition in the 19th century for being direct or indirect light bearers.

LIGHT PIPES APPEAR ON THE SCENE

The 20th century continued to shine. Fully-lit European cities even had to put their lights out during World War II so that they would not become targets of air raids. Astronomers are desperate because they can hardly find any place from which to observe the starry sky due to such massive lighting. Fortunately, the dark corners have disappeared, and the lights are on in every home… Some are unfortunately on all the time. The consumption of electricity has climbed steeply. Water and heat power have become insufficient and we have had to reach to nuclear energy. Suddenly light pipes came onto the scene, an invention from the mid 20th century which began to be used in the 1990s. Thanks to this invention it is possible to bring daylight to homes, offices, commercial spaces and many other places which would otherwise need to be lit with hundreds of bulbs or lamps. People are praising the arrival of more natural, ecological and affordable light. No Nobel Prize will be given for the invention of light pipes (not even Edison received one for his bulb), but this alternative source of light has a great future. With light of course. ✹

LIGHT:

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INTRODUCING

✹ What does the name Lightway mean?

Firstly I have to mention that Lightway is a Czech company, although the name might not reflect that. Our name was intentionally chosen from English because it both sounds pleasant and also clearly implies what our company does – makes ways for light. Our Czech customers are sometimes surprised that the Lightway components are produced locally, while the company itself is Czech with no participation of foreign capital. This pleases especially those who would like to be served by a Czech business.✹ What did you have to overcome at the beginning?

Our task was clear – develop a light pipe which would also work in the Czech Republic. It does not work just to import the foreign

models – the Californian sun is quite different after all. We had to deliver and install the most important pieces of light pipes and further investigate their capacities for our geographical position and climate. The conclusions of those investigations were then so positive that we decided to undertake our own developments in tubular light pipes. Lightway thus produces roof domes from Czech Crystal, which provides immense direct reflection of sunlight and whose diffusers are glass.✹ What is Lightway’s specialty?

With no doubt it is Blue Performance Technology, which we write about in this issue as well as our crystal dome.✹ What does Lightway consider to be important?

Our unique advantage is that we

produce, sell and install light pipes so our customers receive complete service,

guaranteed quality from A to Z.✹ What are you most proud of?

We are proud of every successfully completed project with a satisfied customer. We have many large projects behind us, for example Prague Airport, Central Park or we are lighting Tesco’s central warehouse in Hungary, their storage rooms at their hypermarket stores and the stores themselves in the cities of Jásbery, Ullu and others. But it is with the same seriousness that we approach applications in family houses. So it also pleases us when for example Mrs. Dvořák from Dolní Cerekve writes: “Thank you!!! We finally have light!!! I can’t even believe it!!!”

WHO?The company Lightway Crystal Light Pipes was only made possible by having the right and skilled people in the right positions. Working in Lightway is demanding and nothing comes without effort. In a company with years of tradition and high-quality products, one cannot expect large earnings for little work. We accept among us only those who are able to fulfill the aim and mission of Lightway every day.

WHAT?Executive Director Jakub Brandalík

RESPONDS The Grand Prix at the For

Habitat trade fair in 2012 for our crystal dome, Lightway Crystal 400HP

2nd place in the international Prague Interior

2012 trade fair for Best Exhibition in Residential Design

1st place for Best Advertisement in the area of

roofs 2011. The award was for the marketing of our Crystal Light Pipes by the specialist jury at Střechy Prague 2012, a roofing trade fair

1st place in the Product of the Year 2007 contest in the

magazine Stavebnictví a interiér (Building and Interior) (the prize was awarded on 24th April 2008 at the Brno International Building Trade Fair, 2008)

RESULTS?

Jakub Bešťák,Technical Director

Marek Danišovič,Head of Installation

Petra Stuchlíková,Sales Team Coordinator

Jiří Bonk,Export Manager

Robert Nahapetyan,Light Pipe Specialist

Michal Keicher,Warehouseman

Zdeněk Klejna,Warehouse and Purchasing Manager

fulfill the aim and mission of Lightway every day.

Stuchlíková,

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CONTACT ADDRESSLightway s. r. o.Hostivická 13/22155 21 Praha 5 - SobínCzech Republic

INVOICING ADDRESSLightway s.r.o.Ledvinova 1714/12149 00 Praha 11 - ChodovCzech Republic

tel.: +420 235 300 694 +420 235 301 336GSM: +420 724 217 217e-mail: info@lightway.cz

IČ: 63669366DIČ: CZ63669366

WHERE? HERE

Awarded a certificate for Outstanding Product 2007

authorizing the use of the DESIGN 2007 brand

Award for Ecological Design in the national

contest Outstanding Product 2007 (awarded by the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Design center of Czech Republic)

Gold medal at Brno’s International Trade Fair

2005 for the exhibition Lightway Tubular Light Pipes

Grand Prix Honorable Mention for Lightway

Tubular Light Pipes for using vapor deposition of metal for the interior reflective surface awarded by the specialist jury at the 14th international building trade fair, FOR ARCH 2003

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RESULTS?

Robert Bohdaň,Light Pipe Specialist

Jitka Rysová,Finance

Dagmar Brandalíková,Human Resources

František Brandalík,Light Pipe Specialist

Žaneta Vajdová,Marketing

Tomáš Pečinka,Light Pipe Specialist

Kristýna Opltová,Sales Team Coordinator

František BrandalíkLight Pipe Specialist

Kristýna Opltová,Sales Team Coordinator

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1. Who to trust with light pipe designThree options are on offer: you can use an e-shop, an offer from a roofer or have a design created by a professional. The firstoption involves the internet, where you can find advertisements, price lists, find technicalcharacteristics and compare them with others and then order in an e-shop. Then a box with a light pipe will come to your home and you try to install it by yourself at the weekend. The second option is to call roofers, they will inspect your roof and it is quite possible that they will be able to install a light pipe which is on sale at a hardware store or one which is easy to install. Or you can turn to professionals. They will ensure not only what kind of roof you have, but also lead it through the space in which it will receive the most light. Perhaps then you will understand that what you need is not a light pipe, but a well-lit room. The goal of the professional is to investigate with you in detail in order to deliver the precise light pipe design which will fulfillyour expectations for your light-filled space.

2. A dome is not just a domeTake our advice and avoid domes from cheap plastic forms! Specialists recommend as a basic standard of quality Plexiglass material, but the most suitable domes are crystal domes. And why? A dome is subjected to constantly changing climactic conditions. UV rays, smog and such negative effects can only be resisted by Czech glass.

you should know beforeyou decide to buy a light pipe

WHAT IS BEING TALKED ABOUT

things 7

Have you decided to bring sunlight into a room where you do not have any? Do you want your light pipe to work long and well? Do you want to avoid amateur work? We bring you the most important tips and advice.

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7. Light pipe installation is not for amateursLight pipes do not always function perfectly just because it is made from high-quality material. It also depends on its installation very much. This should be done by a trained company who has already installed many light pipes. Only then it is possible to expect a smooth installation because the company has already experienced installation tasks of varying difficulty as well as unique customerrequests.

things

3. The tube surface determines the lifetime and amount of transported lightThe function of the tube is clear – to transport sunlight collected from the crystal dome without loss into the room. Thus it is necessary to concentrate on the internal surface of the tube. Cheaper variants offer so-called reflective foil which is glued onto theinner side of an aluminium tube in which the atmosphere changes with time. The moisture and temperature fluctuate, which disturbsthe adhesiveness of the foil and therefore also its reflectivity. A high-quality and long-lasting reflective surface can be produced bychemically vaporizing layers onto the surface of the tube in a vacuum. These layers contain silver and silicon oxides. Achieved reflectivityin these is an unbelievable 99 percent.

Final RecommendationsEntrust professionals in the lighting of your interior, who do this work every day and whose final product is to effectively illuminate throughlight pipes and in a way which meets the customer’s expectations.

5. Light pipes should be technically designed to prevent water leakage from condensationThis threat to all light pipes is possible to prevent with proper tube insulation, both inside and out. That’s why you should not hesitate to investigate the exact data concerning installation and the workings of this important aspect of light pipes. A poor insulation job can interrupt the function of the insulation itself or damage the roof or the interior spaces. Sooner or later water will start dripping from your diffuser. The most ideal element is double-pane or triple-pane glass filled with argon and is sealedwith extruded polystyrene foam. This kind of glass forms an isolating bridge between the heat currents inside the tube.

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4. A high-quality diffuser supports the performance of the light pipe

The diffuser ensures a uniform saturation of light in the interior. So we should not underestimate the material from which it is produced. Manufacturers often use plastic because it is much cheaper than

high-quality glass. Plastic has lower light permeability and can unfortunately distort the color of sunlight unlike sodium potassium glass compositions, which are inexhaustible and so do not lower the permeability of light through the glass over time and maintain light’s natural form.

6. A light pipe must not be a heat bridgeDo not lose your home’s heat through a window, use double-paned windows filledwith argon, which break the heat transfer bridge in the tube. In this way heat will not escape from your heated rooms through the tube in winter and meanwhile prevents cold air leaking in from outside. A good light pipe also manages not to heat rooms in summer.

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BLUE PERFORMANCE: LIGHTWAY’S SPECIALTY

PRODUCT UNDER A MICROSCOPE

using air conditioning. If someone installs a light pipe in a passive house, they can be quite sure that water will condensate in the light pipe, it will leak and destroy the ceiling, walls and floor.

And so the industry usually keeps silent about water condensation and its leakage into light pipes and usually responds evasively to customers’ questions. A myth has been spread, created by some advertisements and producers, that a double diffuser solves the problem of heat loss; most producers offer this solution. However, the problem is not solved by it. Double diffusers are not joined with the building’s heat insulation, and the heat bridge is not broken.

One American producer has come out with a transparent plastic partition set into the tube about 30 centimeters above the diffuser claiming that it interrupts the current of air inside the light pipe, and thus prevents the water condensation.

In the thirteen years we have been producing, selling and installing light pipes, we have had the opportunity to see many light pipe

constructions from all brands and producers. We have also had the opportunity to speak with their sales people and technicians around the world. From Canada to Africa they are always dealing with the same problem, the same issues and the same complaints. In the north, customers complain that their light pipe drips water when they start heating their rooms. And the better the construction is insulated, the more water leaks from the light pipe. In Canada, for example, almost only these types of complaints are dealt with in winter months. Those in Turkey, Italy or the Persian Gulf region oppositely complain that their light pipes are excessively heating up their rooms and thus causing higher electricity consumption, since they try to cool the interior

Thanks to the experience we have acquired with tubular light

pipes in over a decade, we must say that there are a few

things which we, as producers of tubular light pipes, do not like. The question constantly

revolves around one basic problem – heat losses in winter,

disproportionate warming of rooms in summer, and dripping

of water condensation from light pipes in winter months.

This is what can happen when water condensates in a light pipe.!

❚ Lightway Blue Performance: How to separate two varying temperature environments without the usual condensation.

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According to the laws of physics, however, the currents of air are interrupted at the joints, which are smaller than 18 millimeters. In fact this partition functions as a plug against water accumulation in the tube. Water would then not appear directly on the diffuser, but would remain hidden from the customer’s eyes, who might be shocked at seeing water on their diffuser. Imagine the sound of repetitive beats on a drum which carries through the whole house at night, when everyone is sleeping. Such would be the sound of the condensed water dripping out at regular intervals onto this inserted plastic partition inside the tube, and this lasts a long time, until the column of water in the tube rises too high.

Specialists know that double diffusers are not joined to the building’s heat insulation, and so an uninterrupted heat bridge develops in the heat-conducting aluminum tube. It’s no wonder that classic light pipes of any brand have the average heat transfer coefficient U= 2.0 W/(m2K). If the diffuser or dome is doubled with another layer, you have a so-called double diffuser or double dome for creating air buffers, which results in an increase of only 10

BLUE PERFORMANCE: LIGHTWAY’S SPECIALTY

percent, and achieves a value of 1.8 W/(m2K). Condensation of water or expensive heat gains or losses is not prevented, even though the customer has paid a significant sum for theseimprovements.

In 2010 we had a moment of great relief; we had succeeded in developing a new element, Lightway Blue Performance, which is joined with the construction and heat insulation of the building. This solved many larger problems, for example with passive houses. Normal light pipes are not suitable for these kinds of buildings because their heat transfer coefficientdoes not meet the strict standards for passive houses. Mostly German architects, designers and builders could not work with light pipes in passive constructions because in their country, they were required to keep the absolute required norms for heat loss. Thanks to two kinds of components in Blue Performance, this light pipe has become the standard in Germany for delivering sunlight into passive houses. Lightway light pipes are the only product in the world which fulfills standards for heat loss inpassive and low-energy houses. ✹

❚ LIGHTWAY BLUE PERFORMANCE light pipes can be used when passing through a pitched roof. They minimize heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. (heat insulation sleeve, insulating glass, polystyrene insulation layer XPS, heat insulation of the building)

❚ The LIGHTWAY BLUE PERFORMANCE component is applied to the light pipe, which divides the warm and cold parts of the light pipe, so that condensation does not occur.

How is the Lightway Blue Performance component unique?IT GUARANTEES THAT:

✓ No water leaks from the light pipes and won’t

harm the interior or building construction

✓ It will not lead to loss of valuable heat in winter

✓ It will not lead to overheating rooms in

summer months

✓ Ceiling and walls will not get wet and will not produce

health-threatening mould

✓ Light pipes meet norms for heat transfer in passive

and low-energy homes

INSULATING GLASS

INSULATING LAYER OF POLYSTYRENE XPS

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INSULATION LAYER

THERMAL FLASHING INSULATION

INSULATING GLASS

INSULATING LAYER OF POLYSTYRENE XPS

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION INSULATION LAYER

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THERMAL FLASHING INSULATION

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STAIRWAYS IN THE CENTRAL PARK BUILDINGIn 2007, our company received an assignment to transport sunlight in a different way – illuminate a stairway so that you do not have to sacrifice the valuable space on the facadeof the building. Flats and offices are closest to the facade and their windows bring innatural light and offer a view of the surroundings. The investor has no trouble with selling all flats and offices. Thanks to the more pleasant environment these windows provide, theprice per square meter rises and even the customer is satisfied. Architects and designerscan better project the location of rooms and effectively use the entire floor space ina multi-storied building.

❚ The light pipe tube itself is vertically connected to the roof section, and then encased in plaster board in the room’s interior; windows are installed in cut-out sections of the exterior of the light pipe’s tube. These windows are equipped with diffusing glass set into a metal frame.

❚ Roof section of completed Lightway light pipe (two domes from transparent PMMA plastic, each with a diameter of 520 mm)

Classical light pipes consist of a roof head, a circular light-conducting tube and a ceiling diffuser. In the Central

Park project in Prague, for illuminating the stairway area with a height of fourteen floors,such a light pipe had to be used which brings light into the room openings directly in the casing tube.

To illuminate the stairway area, an atypical light pipe design was chosen, the oval Lightway Individual, whose shape is unique in the reflective surface in the side and downstreamparts of flat surfaces which can produce lightoutput through windows on a vertical plane.

The front walls of the stairway light pipe windows are equipped with treaded glass which diffuses light into the interior of each floor.

The light requirement for a stairway area with over a total height of 48 meters using one continuous light pipe is very unique. Lightway Individual light pipes were implemented in a total of ten towers of the complex. It can therefore be concluded that, in terms of its length, it is the first realization of sucha large project in the Czech Republic. This can certainly be described as remarkable in comparison with sky light applications throughout Europe.

The main advantage of this light pipe is the fact that sunlight delivery is possible to even poorly accessible parts of a building, thus positively influencingthe interior environment and creating conditions for a more energy-efficientoperation.

Lightway is currently working on other projects where it is necessary to radically alter our light pipes according to the demands of the construction – fiveunits of Lightway Individual are in the Nová Kavalírka Project and another in an apartment complex in Střížkov. ✹

PRODUCT UNDER A MICROSCOPE

For increased performance under overcast skies, the IRCG – Intelligent Ray Catcher Glass

was developed. The shape of the dome was designed to minimize reflection of sunlight off of its surface. Due tothis limiting of reflection, Lightway Crystal light pipes gatherthirty percent more sunlight in comparison with systems which use a flat glass roof window for the roof componentof the light pipe.

The reflective surface of Lightway Crystal lightpipe has a reflectivity value of 99.8 percent

and a very low decomposition of light rays over multiple reflections throughout the length of the light pipe. Theresult is that the delivered sunlight is not lost even over remarkably long distances of light pipe.

The Crystal diffuser does not alter the color of sunlight. It distributes sunlight equally throughout the

room. The purity of the raw materials used ensures a high intake of sunlight. The valuable combination of glass and metal frame can be created in several types of design.

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STAIRWAYS IN THE CENTRAL PARK BUILDINGHow does a Lightway light pipe function?The roof dome gathers sunlight and directs it into the tube. The light tube conducts light through the building and into the room. A previously dark room is transformed into a sunlight-filled environment.

❚ In the case of Central Park in Prague, not only the aim of our company Lightway s. r. o. was fulfilled, but also the contents of Decree 26/1999, article coll, Prague, part four, article 50: The specific requirements for selected types of buildings and facilities – a residential building’smain house staircase must have natural lighting.

❚ Plan of illumination of a stairway by a Lightway light pipe

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We are always happy to meet with customers from within our industry as well as with laymen. This is how it was in February,

when the 14th Annual Střechy Prague (Prague Roofs) trade fair was taking place. 166 companies took part in it, not only from the Czech Republic, but also from Slovakia, Greece, Belgium, Italy, Germany and Poland. Our company scored points in the best

We love trade fairs!

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Lightway is a regular exhibitor at trade fairs focused on our field of business, at which we take part in competitions so that specialists

can also evaluate how well we do our work.

marketing activity competition in the field of roofs, Roofers Ad 2011, which had its premiere at that fair. With two full-page advertisements promoting our crystal light pipes, we stood up to the competition. What pleased us most was that the specialist jury appreciated our ad for the ease with which it presented textual information and humor. Since the beginning of our company, we have always tried to make ourselves

understood by not only architects and builders, but also by anyone who would like to lead sunlight into a dark room. And humor? Humor itself is a kind of light source in all of life’s situations.

We also took advantage of the opportunity to take part in the 25th international residential design trade fair Pragointeriér, which took place at the Prague

FROM THE LIFE OF THE COMPANY

❚ Crystal domes and diffusers are incorporated into the exposition for illustrative value.

❚ The crystal dome Lightway HP 400 receives a Grand Prix award.

Prof. PhDr. Dušan Pavlů, CSc.Dean of the Social Studies Department at

The College of Finance and Law in Prague

“The textual and pictorial composition is neat, effectively orients the reader on a path from basic information to concrete solutions to given problems

– guiding sunlight into spaces which are otherwise difficult to illuminate. Illustrative elements persuasively show the products’ ability to deliver what is promised in the ad, and competently demonstrate the practical value of the product. The jury awarded the ease of presenting information, use of humor, phrases and analogies, without lowering the redeeming value and persuasiveness of

arguments. The ad humorously combines image quality and product education. In view of the medium used – the magazine HOME – it effectively combines specialist and popular forms of expression even understandable for laymen. It actively caters to the final customer using unasked questions and provides answers arguing in favor of the selected lighting solutions through light pipes.”

Ing. Jitka Šefránková Director of the Střechy Prague trade fair, executive of Střechy Prague

s. r. o.“The crystal light pipe ad is very

clear and future customers gain answers to all of the potential questions from it. It definitely draws readers in with its precisely formulated slogans and photographs showing the effect of crystal light pipes.”

What did the specialist jury say about our ads in the competition Roofing Ad 2011?

(Extract from the magazine Střechy dnes – Roofs Today)

We love trade fairs!

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❚ Lightway received a diploma for the 2nd best exposition at international trade fair of residential design, Pragointeriér.

TIP

A few days later we appeared again in Letňany, this time at the 19th home trade fair, For Habitat. We were placed alongside companies which offer everything necessary for building and high-quality modern residences, from bath equipment to original stone tiles and decorative wall finishes. We were again active here and entered our products in the specialist GRAND PRIX competition – the best product at the trade fair. The specialist jury at the For Habitat trade fair awarded this prize to Lightway’s Crystal Dome, Crystal 400 HP on the grounds that:

Czech glass in a light pipe is innovative

for use in construction. An alternative to plastic, guiding sunlight into buildings without electricity.”

We stand out even abroad. Our stand has completed journeys to the new exhibition grounds in Stuttgart, where it represented us at the Clean Energy & PassiveHouse trade fair, which is an international trade fair for renewable energy sources and energy-efficient buildings. ✹

❚ Organizers of the Střechy Prague trade fair prepared a surprise for us and installed our winning ad in large format in the entrance hall at the Letňany Exhibition Grounds. It could then be an inspiration for companies which have less experience in the field of advertising.

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PhDr. Zdeněk KřížekSpecialist Assistant, Department of Multimedia Communications at

University of Tomáš Baťa in Zlín and marketing writer

“While maintaining a lighter style of PR, the material is sufficiently informative, provides specific information, professional statements are understandable even for laymen, bringing answers to possible questions.”

Exhibition Grounds in Holešovice. There our new exhibition was awarded second prize at the fair. We were able to assure ourselves that Lightway’s exhibition stand is a truly attractive exposition, which dazzles not only visitors, but the fair organizers themselves, who are pleased with such a modern design. The exposition is both stylish, and functional: Everyone can examine the basic components of Lightway’s light pipes, which are incorporated into the exposition. Handle Lightway’s roof dome on your own and find that it really is made out of crystal. One can also see the insulation material for Lightway’s Blue Performance, which prevents condensation, as well as the diffuser, which spreads the light throughout the interior.

Watch our web pages www.lightway.cznot only to find out which trade fairs you can find us at, but also because you can download a free ticket for any of them there.

14

LIGHT AT THE END

at the end

Not of the tunnel, but of the magazine. Light is a phenomenon which can be discussed not only scientifically, but alsopoetically, humorously, with levity, and enthusiastically. There have been so many quotations made about light!

Seneca was heard to say, for example, that light is badly born with a bad conscience. The famous Lev Nikolajevich Tolstoy said

“If you do not have the power to burn and give off light, at least do not obstruct it!” Friedrich Nietzsche added to this. According to him, people do not strive for light in order to see better, but so that they can shine more. A Lithuanian proverb says that without money, even sunlight is dimmer.

We use the word light in many proverbs, for example the one about light at the end of the tunnel. “There’s no light at the end of the tunnel anymore…” “If this works, it will be like a light at the end of the tunnel…” But do we know the sources and origins of these sayings? Do we know the kind of life a firefly has? What respectedperson’s dying words were, “More light!” Who said “Let there be light!” and what did he mean by it? We will always offer you a pearl at the end of the magazine Light Pipes, a sparkle of light. And today it is about the light at the end of the tunnel.

We may sometimes have the feeling that this proverb originated in ancient times and that it is used by the whole human race. This is a mistake, however. It only caught on after American doctor

Raymond Moody, born in 1944, began to publish results from research in the field of patient clinicaldeath. His patients swore in large numbers that in the moment when they reached “the other side”, they flew through a dark tunnel at whose endshined a light of unseen beauty and kindness. The dying met their deceased relatives along the way

and they also viewed a film of their life. Some ofthem were so captivated by this light that when they were finally brought back to life by doctors,

they looked forward to death and the end of the tunnel. Moody’s first (and clearly most famous)book on this theme, Life After Life, came out in 1975. It sold thirteen million copies. Scientist have been trying since that time to find answers aboutwhat the light which dying people see really means. Does the fading mind react somehow unexpectedly?

Does the body produce a special material which perhaps causes a hypnotic response, so that a person sees a vision? But why would everyone see a very similar sight? Or is the soul actually flying into theall-loving arms of someone who raises us up? How it really is with the light at the end of the tunnel will only be found out at the end of that tunnel.

Meanwhile the most beautiful light at the end of the tunnel is probably the one which the train driver sees when they come out of the station tunnel at Prague’s Main Station heading to Smíchov. One large section of the tunnel measures over a kilometer and the light comes closer, closer, and closer… Then there is “only” the view of Nusle and the Congress Center. Of course this might also be a celestial vision, perhaps for claustrophobics. Light at the end of a tunnel is simply never bad! ✹ (mrk)

ightL“We may sometimes have the feeling that this proverb originated in ancient times and that it is used by the whole human race. This is a mistake...“

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Where can you find our light pipes?Our company has a long list of successfully completed projects. We have guided light into family houses, large industrial halls and high-rise buildings. We approach each project with maximum care as if it were our only project.

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Family Houses and Flats

❚ VILLAPrague – Klánovice, Czech Republic

❚ FAMILY HOUSEBoskovice, Czech Republic

❚ LIVING ROOMVilla Prague, Czech Republic

Sales Chains Industrial Halls

❚ STORETesco Hypermarket, Hungary

❚ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – HALLWAYPrague, Czech Republic

❚ INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – HALLWAYPrague, Czech Republic

Public buildings Custom solutions

❚ MUSEUMOstrava, Czech Republic

❚ FAMILY HOUSE – INTERIORTriangular diffuser, Czech Republic

❚ HOUSE OF CULTUREPísek, Czech Republic

Successful Realizations

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HOW TO BRINGDAYLIGHT?

BRIGHTEN DARK ROOMS IN OUR CLIENTS' BUILDINGSWITH REFRESHING AND NATURAL DAYLIGHT IN PLACESWHERE WINDOWS CANNOT REACH.TRANSFORM DARKROOMS INTO SUN-LITENVIRONMENTS.

www.lightway.cz

GUIDE DAYLIGHT FROM THESKY WITHOUT DEMANDS ONELECTRIC ENERGY.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE REMOVAL OF THE SYMPTOMS OF TIREDEYES CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL LIGHTING, TO THE RENEWALOF THE QUALITIES OF SIGHT AND PREVENT DEVELOPMENTSOF ILLNESSES FROM ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.

RAISE THE GOOD MOOD OF CLIENTS IN THE SUN-LITROOMS OF THEIR HOMES AND WORKPLACES.

CRYSTAL LIGHT PIPES

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