Hot off the press: Conflux Lighting Collection by Teknion wins IIDEX/NeoCon Best in Show Innovation Award for Innovative Lighting. Without laying eyes on Conflux, you might wonder if the judges are favoring their fellow Canadians (Teknion is based in Toronto). But no, the lighting collection designed by Carl Gustav Magnusson, who studied architecture in Sweden and worked for Charles and Ray Eames some decades ago, deserves the recognition. The Conflux series uses a minimalist design to maximize functionality: besides shedding light on the task at hand, Conflux also senses body heat and works as a power source.

Conflux. Designed by Carl Gustav Magnusson for Teknion.

The award-winning collection includes "versions for desk, table, floor, beneath overhead cabinets, and panel or wall mount," all of which employ the latest advancements in LED technology, producing a light that resembles "daylight-with less shadow and glare." Besides its bells and whistles (I'll cover those later), Conflux looks good. Its flat-panel structure and simple lines work to create harmony in workspaces. Designer Magnusson explains: "With refined lines and precise details, Conflux acts as an anecdote to the visual clutter of busy work areas and elevates the aesthetics of LED lighting. The simple anodized aluminum profile incorporates subtle arcs that soften its angles, while the control console has an appealing luminosity and tactility that invites the user to connect with the light."

What about the bells and whistles? Well, Conflux uses a Passive InfraRed (PIR) occupancy sensor that detects body heat. The technology is new and improved, since it is more precise than previous infrared sensors and provides "fewer false occupancy readings." The PIR sensor also "detects 360-degree coverage of human activity." This helps to keep Conflux from turning off prematurely. Additionally, the Teknion lighting series provides wireless-charging Powermat technology, so you can keep your work surface clear even while you power up. Conflux does double duty, in other words-very apropos of its name, which means a flowing together or merging.