Ayala Museum goes green

MANILA, Philippines - The global trend of environmental preservation has made its way to the heart of Philippine art and culture within the walls of the Ayala Museum. Philips Electronics and Lighting, Inc., the leading innovator for energy-efficient lighting solutions, has forged a partnership with the Ayala Museum to formally recognize joint efforts towards sustainable development through energy-efficient lighting. The museum, considered one of the jewels of Philippine art preservation, has recently installed Philips LED lighting solutions to address the needs for less energy consumption, higher operational savings, and better lighting performance.

Established in 1967 by the late artist Fernando Zobel de Ayala y Montojo, Ayala Museum found its current home at the corner of Dela Rosa St. in Makati City in 2004, with a modern design characterized by smooth, sleek lines that highlight the museum’s extensive collections. The museum has evolved in art and form over the years, with the latest development rooted in an advocacy that resonates across the globe — energy efficiency.

“The global search for viable solutions to energy efficiency has spurred many conversations to achieve environmental preservation,” said Philips Electronics and Lighting country manager Rico Gonzales, “but when lighting uses up to 19 percent of global energy, 3/4 of which is inefficient, it is clear that the effects of our lighting choices create a big impact on how our world runs today.”

True to form, Ayala Museum recognizes the value of responsible lighting decisions both in enriching customer experience as well as achieving sound business returns, and have made the proactive first step towards achieving energy efficiency through lighting. To answer this need, Ayala Museum enlisted the expertise of Philips in integrating the latest in lighting technology that enhances the rich tapestry of Philippine history. The answer? Philips LED.

“The flexibility of LED allows Ayala Museum to enjoy the experience of energy-efficient lighting in different settings, with lighting controls that optimize lighting quality and performance,” Gonzales said. “By installing LED lighting solutions and controls in the Ayala Museum Lobby, we create the ambience that sets the right mood for an inspiring experience for our museum patrons.”

Philips provided two solutions for Ayala Museum – 35-watt Luxspace LED units to replace the Par38 120-watt incandescent lamps, which results in energy savings of up to 70 percent, less heat generation, and lower maintenance costs due to the LED’s life of 50,000 hours. And to provide a complete lighting solution for the institution, Philips installed Dynalite lighting controls, which give Ayala Museum full and easy control of lighting levels according to the needs of the museum.

“We are delighted to have Philips as our partner at the Ayala Museum. It highlights the need to embed the principles of sustainable development in all our activities, including our initiatives in art and culture,” said Ayala Foundation president Vicky Garchitorena. “It also showcases how technology can be used to conserve our resources so that future generations can continue to enjoy their benefits.”

Ayala Museum opens the doors to Philippine history through its historical collections with 60 handcrafted dioramas at the core, as well as a one-of-a-kind boat gallery that illustrates the development of Philippine maritime trade and colonial economy. The museum also serves as a treasure trove of fine arts, featuring the works of the pioneers of Philippine art — Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Fernando Zobel — and an extensive collection from various artists that reflect the evolution of Philippine influences and culture.

“This partnership with Ayala Museum marks an important milestone in our path toward an energy efficient country,” said Gonzales. “With this, Philips and Ayala Museum are bound by the common goal of pushing for our green advocacy to achieve environmental efficiency and sustainability, and, ultimately, a sustainable and progressive country.”