Match light to the task
Reading, cooking, examining a patient and browsing shelves need different levels and qualities of light. Over-lighting wastes energy and can cause glare, and under-lighting causes strain.
Start with the activity and set targets for each room.
Daylight, wall colours and floor finishes also change how bright a room feels, so the design should look at the whole room, not just the fixtures.
Layers of light
Combine general lighting with task lighting for desks and counters and accent lighting for displays or features. Layering gives flexibility and often allows lower general levels.
Retail and hospitality spaces rely on accent lighting to create atmosphere, so plan wiring for it early.
Controls matter
Occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, dimming and scheduling reduce energy use and extend lamp life. Simple controls that people understand are used. Complex ones are bypassed.
Our electricians install and program the controls and train your staff.
Scenes that can be recalled with one button are popular in meeting rooms, restaurants and showrooms.
Fixture selection
Look at efficiency, colour quality, dimming compatibility, maintenance access and availability of replacements. Specialty fixtures can have long lead times.
On our featured 40,000+ sq ft office renovation, more than 100 specialty light fixtures were installed, which shows how much planning goes into custom lighting.
Coordinate with the ceiling
Fixtures, sprinklers, diffusers and speakers share the ceiling. A reflected ceiling plan avoids clashes. Because we also build ceilings and install mechanical systems, we resolve conflicts on paper, not in the field.
Plan access for future lamp or driver replacement. A fixture that is hard to reach tends to be neglected.
Questions we hear
Does LED always save money?
Usually in operating cost, though savings depend on hours of use and the existing system.
Can you supply specialty fixtures?
Yes. We source standard and specialty fixtures and plan their delivery against the schedule.