Why employ a Lighting Consultant?

Consider, for a moment, who will design the lighting for your project?

Light will solely determine the visual outcome of any architectural environment. Too little, and we can’t see at all. Too much, and space and objects will lose their identity, form, textures, spacial definition and/or visual hierarchy. Glare may develop and our visibility declines again. Color may be introduced to enhance or alter our perception. The mood or ambiance of any space is critically related to the use of light, both natural and electric. Careful attention must be paid to materials, finishes, reflectance - the entire three dimensional space.

As design professionals, we are concerned with the long term picture, and quality equipment, like quality materials, costs more than inferior products. In relation, if just three to five percent of a building’s construction budget goes to lighting, what is the visual impact of lighting on the space ? It certainly rates higher than three to five percent! In many cases, we may design a scheme that not only will save energy, but also reduce the cost of installation, all while enhancing the design concept. Savings may be realized by specifying quality fixtures only where they are required, instead of over lighting spaces. The notion that uniform brightness is a necessity will be replaced by an awareness that the variety, beauty and visual contrasts inherent in natural light can be successfully achieved in the man-made environment.

Whom you choose as your designer is a critical decision that will affect the outcome of your project and budget. The finest building materials in the world may still appear drab if poorly lit, and initial cost is only relevant if the lighting equipment operates reliably in the years to come.

Choose wisely.