Lighting design involves much more than just choosing the right lighting fixtures, their placement, and bulbs. It requires a thorough understanding of the lighting requirements, calculation of lighting parameters, and selection of control systems. Additionally, it demands knowledge of technical details and safety guidelines for various building types and specific rooms. In essence, lighting design is a complex process that requires professional expertise. Whether you're renovating an existing space or constructing a new one, it's highly recommended that you consult a lighting design consultant. Such a professional will approach your lighting scheme with a series of steps, leveraging their expertise and experience to ensure you get the best results.
To begin with, a lighting designer will collaborate with you to determine your lighting budget, exploring various possibilities with different price ranges and capabilities. This will enable the expert to create a lighting plan that provides your space with the best possible value, without any unexpected costs. Once the budget has been agreed upon, the expert will work closely with you to establish your desired outcomes and the level of illumination required. This includes analysing the shape of the area, determining what elements to highlight, the direction of light, and how the lighting interacts with daylight. By doing so, the expert will be able to paint a comprehensive picture of what the lighting installation should achieve and the level of ambience it should provide.
Step 2 involves determining the appropriate method of lighting design. This decision will determine how the light is projected or delivered throughout the space. The most common methods include surface-mounted, recessed, and portable lighting like table lamps. It's important to consider the direction of light and decide whether to go for direct or indirect lighting. In addition, the lighting designer should determine the light's key characteristics, such as colour temperature and brightness. After deciding on the lighting method, the next step is to specify the right lighting equipment. This includes selecting equipment based on factors such as lumen output, size, and wattage. The type of bulb used is also important, and LED bulbs are often the best option. The lighting designer should also consider the compatibility of the fixtures, their sustainability in the operating environment, and even their heat output. Ultimately, lighting equipment should not only provide ample illumination but also enhance its surroundings. The lighting design expert will strive to achieve a successful installation and a seamless project.
Ensuring an effective lighting design involves calculating the lighting parameters, which determine the total number of luminaires required to produce a given illuminance. Lighting designers use one of three methods to do this: - Manual calculation: The most popular form of manual calculation is the Lumen Method. It calculates the average illuminance in a given space while considering any light reflected from interior and exterior surfaces. The formula used to reach the average illuminance takes into account the length and width of the room, as well as the height of the fixture used to light the space. - Three-dimensional modelling: Thanks to advancements in technology, lighting designers can use three-dimensional modelling to virtually change luminaire types, play with brightness levels, colour temperature, direction of light, and location to see how each factor affects the lighting scheme, even at different sunlight levels. - Visualisation: Lighting designers can use visualisation programs to create photographic quality images of the space using the proposed lighting design. This allows the designer to confirm that their plan works well and enhances the space as expected. Lighting control systems are crucial to the success of a lighting scheme, as they are responsible for the flexibility and efficiency of your lighting plan. Lighting controls take into account the number, location, and types of switches required to turn your lights on and off. Depending on the controls you opt for, you may be able to dim the brightness levels, control your lights from a remote or app, and even select from a list of configured lighting scenes. For example, our lighting team at Hampshire Light designed and specified a lighting control system that gives our client full control over the lights in their kitchen. With just a click of a button, the client can set the ideal mood for what’s ahead by selecting various scenes on the right-hand side.
Select the Luminaires In addition to designing the lighting scheme, lighting consultants must carefully choose each luminaire with both performance and durability in mind. A high-quality luminaire not only provides better illumination, but also proves to be more cost-effective over time when compared to low-quality alternatives. A well-made luminaire often features a robust finish and efficient heat dissipation. Lighting experts must also keep in mind the ease of installation, cleaning, and maintenance while selecting the appropriate luminaires for the task at hand.
