The Future of Lighting Design

USAI Lighting's Trimless Acoustical Lighting and Sloped Ceiling Solutions have been selected for inclusion in Interior Design's Best of Year 2018 awards.  Place your vote now!

Research proves that exposure to the right light – at the right time – greatly impacts health, mood and well-being. Being surrounded with natural daylight over the course of 24 hours synchronizes circadian rhythms — the internal clocks that prompt sleep/wake cycles — while disruption to these rhythms can pose significant threats to health and diminish quality of life.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Bonnie Littman, President, USAI Lighting, on the topic of tunable-white lighting. I’m happy to share her responses with you here. The interview informed an article I wrote for the May 2016 issue of tED.

There is more to light than meets the eye — a lot more, in fact. While light enables us to see our world in vivid color and stunning detail, we have learned that light also regulates many biological responses in people which are not associated with our sense of sight, including an 'internal clock' in our bodies that makes us alert during the day and sleepy at night.

A decade ago, when white LEDs began entering the architecture marketplace in force, early adoption came with misgivings. The new light source would drastically cut electricity consumption over many more hours of life — but the color temperature was cold, or brightness seemed insufficient. Like most disruptive technologies, LEDs promised to revolutionize the industry. Just as soon as users could stop thinking twice about them.

The LED Triangle offers a comprehensive, technology-specific tool to measure LED fixtures, based on; color harmony, optical control and performance (energy efficiency). Traditional fixtures required consumers to sacrifice one or more points of the triangle. USAI’s innovative, proprietary solutions balance the three factors in harmony.   

If the grandiose allure of hotel lobbies and generous amenities are any indication, it is clear “there’s no second chance to make a first impression” is standard in the hospitality industry. Yet, hospitality settings are at risk for being left in the dark without the right lighting, as this single element can be used to capture guests’ attention, convey the space’s brand identity and create a distinct end-user experience to ultimately encourage repeat visits.

The second a customer enters a retail space, a message should be communicated by the lighting design alone. Whether it is the cool sophistication of a luxury retailer or the bright frenzy of a toy store, effective lighting can tell customers the story of what to expect – and guide them on their purchasing journey.

The benefits of going sustainable when retrofitting a commercial building’s lighting are not limited to energy savings. Reducing maintenance costs and health hazards, while increasing tenant efficiency and the space’s overall aesthetic appeal, are likely by-products of the changeover.