Architecture is more than just the design of walls, ceilings, entries, and stairways; architecture is the creation of an experience. And the role of an architectural lighting designer is more than just lighting up a space; a lighting designer brings that experience to life. This means that to truly excel in their field, a lighting designer needs a depth of knowledge across a variety of disciplines. Their work is grounded in art, technology, and business. In this month’s blog, we look at 6 key areas of expertise that a skilled architectural lighting designer brings to every project.
Technical
The first area of expertise we would expect is of course, technical. The breadth of technical expertise, however, is much wider than one might expect.
A good lighting designer offers a thorough understanding of fixtures, power sources, controls, etc. They also bring a knowledge of the physics of how light works, in order to determine optimal angles for light sources, predict heat output, or determine the best color temperature for a lighting scheme.
On top of how the actual light sources—and light itself—work, a good designer also brings to a project expertise in smart controls, energy-efficient materials, and even décor recommendations that harness the reflectance of surfaces to boost illumination in a space (or that should be accommodated to avoid over-illumination).
To help a building’s lighting work in harmony with the architectural design, an experienced designer incorporates a technical knowledge not just of lighting, but also of architectural principles and practice. This background is critical for a lighting scheme to work seamlessly with the overall design in order to fully realize the architect’s overall vision.
Aesthetic
In order to realize that overall vision, a technical knowledge of architectural principles needs to be accompanied by a strong aesthetic background. This type of expertise once again touches on a number of different aspects when it comes to the overall design process.
A good lighting designer will balance a depth of knowledge of both how the light itself will look in a space, as well as how the light sources will look. This requires an understanding of color temperature, how the presence/absence of natural light will change throughout the day and impact the lighting scheme, as well as what types of lighting techniques can achieve the client’s desired look. Selecting the right fixtures also requires an understanding of the overall building aesthetic, particularly when it comes to landmark buildings that seek to maintain a historic look with modern lighting.
People
Building a strong aesthetic foundation requires a solid understanding of people. That understanding goes beyond just people’s tastes, however. A lighting designer also brings in a familiarity with how a space is used—by employees, residents, visitors, or customers. This understanding includes who will have access to controls and potential work or safety concerns that will influence the overall lighting needs.
The experience a lighting designer brings to the project can also save the client money in the long term by implementing a cost-effective illumination scheme that will save on energy consumption. One important measure is not over-illuminating a space. A lighting designer will be able to balance the availability of any natural light with the client’s needs to ensure energy consumption does not go over what is actually needed. This requires an understanding of what kinds of activities will take place, and what type of lighting they require.
Building use is also not static. It often changes several times throughout the day and night. Maintenance needs for a building may evolve over time and across the seasons. An effective lighting designer needs a firm grasp of all these environmental factors in order to understand and predict needs the client may not even be aware of. This knowledge can help indirect, long-term costs effectiveness for clients down the line. By designing lighting that positively impacts retail sales, creates a more comfortable office environment, or improves security at a residence, the client will benefit through retention of employees or occupants.
Trends
Related to, but not exclusively in the realm of, aesthetic expertise, a good lighting designer will also bring to a project knowledge of current trends: from fixture designs to innovative controls to energy-saving technology.
New lighting equipment and control technologies are continually introduced to the marketplace. A lighting designer stays on top of new developments, understands which technologies will achieve the best results for the client’s goal and budget, and can provide impartial feedback to clients, so that major decisions are not based on sales pressure from manufacturers.
Understanding the innovations in lighting fixtures, controls, and other technologies is also important when it comes to renovating historical buildings, especially those with landmark status. A lighting designer can advise on what aspects of the existing need to be redone and how to capture the aesthetics and feel of a bygone era while incorporating modern technology for energy-efficiency and safety.
Regulatory
Whether new construction or renovation, a lighting designer will bring to the project a firm grasp of the applicable regulations, certifications, and standards. From building codes to LEED certification, every project will run into some degree of regulation, particularly for clients seeking to have their buildings recognized as “green.”
Project management
Finally, all these areas of expertise come together under the umbrella of project management. Architectural lighting designers coordinate with architects, manufacturers, and clients all throughout the process. Lighting doesn’t just come in at the end, so careful coordination is important to ensure that critical steps are not missed that would lead to implementation delays.
A lighting designer can help create a lighting scheme that is cost effective during construction, but that will also keep costs down in the long run through energy efficiency and a number of other factors. An experienced lighting designer will help devise a budget tailored to the client’s financial, aesthetic, ergonomic, and environmental needs. Their experience can also help negotiate competitive pricing from manufacturers and electricians and spot anomalies in pricing to ensure that the client is getting a fair deal.
By working with an architectural lighting designer, you will arrive at a plan created by experts with a firm grasp of architectural principles, technology, people, regulations, aesthetics, and of course, the physics of light. An effective lighting scheme fosters a mood, helps draw our attention through the space, and enhances the ergonomics of a building. Lighting designers definitely earn their jack-of-all-trades stripes and bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table.
At CharterSills, we believe that when lighting is designed correctly, it can add dimension to the simplest of spaces. Lighting can turn an ordinary space into a work of art. Whatever design challenges clients present, CharterSills responds with a solution that exceeds their expectations. Contact us today at (312) 759-5909 or by email at info@chartersills.com.