ewoTALK #6 – Guiding the Night with Igniting Innovations

November 9, 2023

ewoTALKS

A conversation about nature- and people-centered lighting, urban planning and nightscapes

Light is so much more than its function. It is creative, it is protective, it is human and forward-looking. Light tells a story—of safety, of community, of technology and art.

Not only can light have a positive effect on the well-being and health of people and nature, it also sets the rhythm of the circadian rhythm, a physiological 24-hour cycle that our bodies tend to follow. Light sets the scene for architecture, it creates space for socializing, it points the way and it is—not always, but increasingly often—intelligent. Light is a mouthpiece.

To make the most of its power, light must first be used skillfully: We talked about what this has to do with creativity, energy consumption and the Internet of Things in the sixth edition of ewoTALK. This time in Copenhagen—with Anker & Co, fortheloveoflight and, of course, ewo.

Program

Speakers: Nikolaj Birkelund (fortheloveoflight), Hannes Wohlgemuth (ewo) Host: Michael Anker, Anker & Co. Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023 Time: 2–4 p.m. Location: Anker & Co Showroom, Copenhagen In collaboration with Anker & Co. and fortheloveoflight. The panel discussion will be held in English.

Michael Anker

Michael Anker grew up in a design-loving family. Design and business were everyday topics in his childhood, so it was not surprising that he joined his family's design company: his task was to build up a lighting portfolio: Michael combined decorative lighting with technical lighting, thus offering his customers both, and was one of the first on the market to do so.

In 2014, he finally founded his own company. The desire to work with architects and designers on lighting while managing the creative process from idea to realization inspired him to found Anker & Co. Today, Michael works with a team of experienced lighting specialists—driven by a passion for design and lighting and the desire to always find the right solutions.

Michael Anker, founder of Anker & Co.

Nikolaj Birkelund

As founder and creative director of the independent lighting design studio fortheloveoflight, based in Copenhagen, Nikolaj Birkelund works primarily in the fields of architecture, landscape design and exhibition lighting design. One of his most recent works is the lighting concept for the new Postbyen district in the center of Copenhagen, which he realized together with ewo.

Nikolaj Birkelund, lighting designer & founder of fortheloveoflight

Hannes Wohlgemuth

Hannes Wohlgemuth took over the management of the South Tyrolean lighting manufacturer ewo in 2019. As the son of the founders, he had been with ewo for a long time before deciding to join the family business in 2012 after studying architecture in Innsbruck, Seville and Graz. Having grown up at ewo, so to speak, he gained experience in all departments and thus acquired a fundamental knowledge of the lighting industry. As Sales and Marketing Manager, he focused on strengthening the company's international influence and global market expansion. Since spring 2017, Hannes has also been Managing Director of connexx, a start-up that develops hardware and software solutions for intelligent lighting. Creative solutions paired with innovation are the driving force behind all his activities.