Lighting Design

Start thinking about your lighting and start talking to us early.  The bigger and more complex the project, the earlier this should be.  On particularly large scale or challenging projects such as Para 79 homes, Grade I listed buildings etc., we might start discussions before the necessary Permissions are granted.  Usually though the best time to talk is just after receiving planning consent, or if planning consent isn’t required, just after the architectural designs have been finalised.

This initial discussion is rarely about the detail of the lighting design – it’s generally too early for that – but it is a hugely useful and inspirational session for clients and architects.

• Overall design direction of travel
• Elements to consider, eg; how architectural or interior detailing impact on the lighting design and visa versa, the lighting control route, whether electric curtains/blinds are under consideration etc.
• How we and the different elements of the design team (architect, interior designer, M&E consultant, Audio/Video provider etc.) interface together, about what, when, and how areas of potential overlap are best managed.
• Discussion around different elements of cost and ballpark costings though if the detail isn’t worked through enough

On smaller projects or if a build is not far off electrical first fix, the elements above may be included in the Initial Design Meeting.

This is when we start getting down to the specific lighting design concepts for your particular project.

We understand as much as we can about the architecture and interior/garden design for each space, and as part of this discussion we explore potential lighting design concepts and light fitting types.   We discuss lighting control routes and options, and electric tracks/blinds if relevant.    It’s a hugely collaborative experience, and clients leave this meeting with a clear idea as to what the potential lighting design might be.

This discussion forms the bedrock of the rest of the design process.  Ideally the information below would be available before or during the meeting, but it’s not unusual for only elements of this to be available with other elements following on afterwards:

• Full architectural plans, sections and elevations
• Interior design details such as kitchen and bathroom designs, room layouts for key items of furniture, information about focal points and features (eg; ‘that’s an internal stone wall, or artwork is important to us and that spot there is likely to have a painting on it’.)
• Garden/landscaping designs

Where do site visits fit in to the design process?

Site visits are definitely important.  When they are done really depends on the project type and the programme.  A seventeenth century house for example will have all sorts of quirks and beautiful features which generally aren’t shown on architects plans, and so an early stage site visit – as well as later ones – is important.   A new build house is often not there to look at until well after the detailed designs are done, but then a sense check of the design before first fix starts is highly recommended.

We think most projects then benefit from regular contact with the site team during first and second fix.

Based on the Initial Design Meeting, we typically then develop the concepts far enough to:

• Bottom the concepts out, work through any problematic areas, and re-confirm the overall scheme with the client
• Enable us to do very robust ballpark costing for the different elements of kit (light fittings, lighting control system, electric curtains/blinds)
• See where there are specific areas of detailing which need to be worked through with the wider design team

Developing these concepts and costings for discussion and sign off before the detailed design is done means that

• Clients can make really informed decisions about options, priorities and trade offs (eg; whether to use a lighting control system across just part of the house or all of it)
• If the design concepts need tweaking for budgetary reasons, then its best done at this stage rather than down the track

When overall concepts and ‘kit’ costs are agreed we then do very detailed designs, and collate a full package of information which we call a ‘First Fix Pack’.  This comprises (as applicable):

• Detailed plans. These show exactly which fitting is located exactly where, cabled exactly how.  Important elements such as drivers, cable tolerances, dimming protocols and therefore cable requirements etc. are all included.  It’s not just a series of small circles and crosses on a page.
• Detailed specifications for all the architectural light fittings (downlights, uplights, linear lighting etc). The specification includes all the necessary details eg; colour temperature, beam width, tilt, IP rating, finish, fire protection, dimming protocol and therefore driver type, fixing method, glare control, cut out, void depth etc.
• Outline specifications for the decorative light fittings (pendants, wall lights etc). The outline specification is a good direction of travel, and the final specification tends to be worked through as the interior details are completely bottomed out.
• In joinery lighting detailing, if the joinery designs are finalized at this stage (as they often follow on slightly later.)
• Lutron control system architecture. This shows what cabling is required between all the different elements, and inter-connects to other things e.g. network, alarm system, audio/video system, apps.
• Lutron hardware product information, so the electrician/site team can see sizes, install requirements etc.
• Lutron electric blind/curtain track install detailing, to enable discrete & integrated installations.

If the lighting design is being sent out to electricians for them to price for the installation, then this ‘First Fix Pack’ will be what is sent for them to price on.

We also do a light fittings/lighting control kit cost update for the client.  Unless there are major changes this will be very close to – and often below – the initial ballpark costs.

You can see examples of our technical documentation here.

These two discrete elements are often combined, and happen just before electrical first fix starts.

The ‘Structure Up’ design check is really important, particularly on new builds which may not have physically existed during the design process.   It means we can stand in the space with the clients and double check that there’s nothing changed in their thinking which would affect the lighting.   It also means we can pick up build details such as joist positions, and fine tune the designs at this stage so that its easier for the electrician to install.

The “First Fix briefing” is critical.  We work with the clients’ electricians, most of whom are excellent but who may not be familiar with all the elements that go into our schemes.  Some may never have worked with a lighting control system before, others may be less familiar with all the different dimming protocols we use, others may just want to physically get examples of the kit they will be working with in their hands. By talking them through the ‘first fix pack’ and ensuring that they are comfortable with the plans and the kit, it enables them to hit the ground running.  Briefing the electrical team ahead of first fix reduces/eliminates mistakes, and give the electricians re-assurance that they can call us with any questions.

Quality light fittings sit at the heart of a successful lighting scheme.  The lighting design and the architectural light fittings specified to deliver that design are two separate but very inter-related elements.  Swapping out the fittings that are specified will certainly affect the end results, and may affect the cabling that’s required.

As independent lighting consultants we are not tied to a limited range of fittings; we select and specify fittings from a broad range of manufacturers based on appropriateness for the scheme, technical excellence and reliability.  We are passionate about achieving long term value for money which doesn’t necessarily mean cheap.  Many fittings can be bespoke so that they are absolutely right for the project.   The huge majority of light fittings which we use are designed and made in the UK.  Increasingly those fittings are manufactured in a sustainable way and feature relaceable light engines.

We firm up the specification of fittings through the lighting design process and supply them to site in stages, as they’re required.

We provide detailed technical data sheets for the products in the project.  These include critical dimensions, cut-out specifications and driver requirements.

Before light fittings are shipped to site we check them all and label them with circuit information, which is tied back to the design drawings and electrician’s technical specification.  Again, this all reduces mistakes and makes the electrician’s work quicker and easier.

Projects may or may not feature a lighting control system such as Lutron HomeWorks.  If we’re using  lighting control, we design the cabling architecture, and the cabling itself is installed by the electrical team during electrical first fix.

Keypad style, button configurations and what the buttons will actually do are all worked through with the client.   Too many dealers ‘just bang in a five button keypad’.  We take a much more considered approach.  Five buttons in the WC would be far too many and confusing, 5 buttons by the front door to do the outside lighting, the hallway, and ‘whole house’ functions (e.g. whole house off) is not enough.   We look at each location and really think about how to make it intuitive to use.

We build the back-end lighting control panels off site and provide the electricians with a detailed wiring schedule for them.  They install and are responsible for the electrical testing and certification.  We install the keypads and do any data cable terminations required.

We programme an initial set of lighting scenes based on the lighting design, and then we fine tune it onsite when the control system is commissioned.  We also supply the programming and/or integration information needed by the AV or Security installers if applicable.

Our clients move in and live with the system for a few weeks, and then we come back and fine tune it.   Because so much thought has gone it to it by this stage, most clients leave the programming where it is.  However we’re keen that those who want to change it are able to do so.  We set up the Lutron App on our clients’ phones and iPads.  This gives them the ability to edit scenes and make programming changes as they want.

We finalise the wording for the engraving on keypads and supply finished keypad faceplates for the finishing touch.

By being responsible for the ‘end to end’ lighting, it means that the thought process that goes in to the initial lighting design flows all the way through to the end programming, and intuitive ease of use.

Nearly there!

Whether a lighting control system is used or not, we would usually check the overall installation at the end, and ‘point’ the fittings so that they’re lighting the things they were intended to light.  It makes a big difference to the finished results.

Long term maintenance is important too.  Whilst the light fittings and the Lutron lighting control system are selected for reliability, eventually kit may fail.   We do very comprehensive ‘handover packs’ with as-built drawings, specifications, wiring schedules, Lutron kit serial numbers etc., so that the client is fully equipped for the long term.

We don’t typically provide Annual Maintenance Contracts; the kit is so reliable it doesn’t feel right to charge clients each year regardless.  However in the rare event that things do need repairing or replacing we provide remote or onsite support as required.  And it’s always nice to go back and see clients!