How to Work with a Lighting Designer
An outline of the typical stages in the process. Individual project requirements may differ.

Programming Phase:

• Establish budgets for lighting equipment.
• Determine what level of quality can be provided for this budget, and determine with client if appropriate. If necessary, adjust budget to meet needs.
• Establish overall project and space-by-space watt/sf allowances for the project.
• Determine lighting design technical criteria for the project and individual spaces. Typically, this allows use of IESNA Lighting Guidelines, plus additional considerations determined through interviews and survey of existing site.

    

• Meetings with entire team to set design direction.
• Working sessions with the lead designer (architect or interior designer) to develop the design concept.
• Develop study sketches and preliminary modeling for major spaces.
• Prepare preliminary fixture schedule with manufacturer's cut sheets.
• Prepare a preliminary fixture budget estimate.
• Prepare reports as necessary, for energy comparisons to code or for programming feedback.
• For typical projects, background drawings including plans and sections (preliminary elevations if available at this stage) are provided by the Architect, Interior Designer, or client. The lighting designer will either work directly on these electronic or hard copy drawings, or on an overlay, placing symbols for lighting fixture locations.

    

• Continue development of lighting plans.
• Daylighting analysis and calculations- as outlined in the specific project scope.
• Perform lighting calculations and make necessary adjustments to lighting locations.
• Prepare lighting layout plans for each space, not just typical conditions.
• Complete lighting fixture schedule, listing manufacturers catalog numbers and lamp designations.
• Prepare control intent diagrams or descriptions.
• Prepare preliminary sketches of custom fixtures, if any, and begin to work with potential manufacturers on details.
• Update lighting fixture budget.
• Preparation of energy code documentation, as outlined in specific project scope.

    

• Activities will vary in this phase, depending on the dynamics of the project team. Either the lighting designer will review reflected ceiling plans prepared by others, or if the lighting designer has provided the lighting plans- coordinate review sets with architect and engineer.
• If there are custom fixtures, prepare drawings suitable for inclusion in a bid set.
• Prepare a lighting fixture specification.
• Prepare a lighting controls specification, or coordinate requirements with electrical engineer.
• Finalize control intent diagrams or descriptions.
• Coordinate with other team members, especially the electrical engineer.
• Update lighting fixture and controls budget as necessary.

    

• Provide clarification of design intent.
• Assist in evaluation of bids.

• Provide clarification of design intent.
• When required, participate in on-site coordination meetings.
• Review contract submittals.
• For special projects, observe and direct the aiming of adjustable fixtures.
• Review and punchlist the final installation.
• Review required maintenance manual provided by contractor consisting of as-built fixture cuts and a schedule of replacement lamps (or provide as additional services).

• Special renderings or presentation materials.
• Design, documentation, or coordination of mock-ups.
• Review of contractor submittals for equipment substitutions.
• Coordination of lighting fixture orders and deliveries.
• Extensive modeling of daylighting, shading, and energy saving controls.
• Redesign due to scope change, value engineering, or any other changes after Design Development.

    

• The number of meetings and site visits, particularly out of town site visits.
• The number of custom fixture types.

• Is the lighting designer specifying lighting for every space, including janitor's closets and mechanical rooms, or is there a division between major and minor rooms?
• Clarify areas of overlap with engineering services. At Light/Space/Design, we provide energy code compliance documentation and lighting control systems intent, and the engineer typically specifies the lighting controls, emergency lighting, mounting details and non-ornamental support brackets.

    

Lighting Design and Consulting
Consulting with an experienced lighting design professional before undertaking a renovation or new construction project can not only be aesthetically rewarding, it also can be financially rewarding. Here's how:

• Taking time to evaluate the problem results in lighting solutions that meet future as well as current needs, thereby saving money on expensive rewiring.
• Coordinating a good design with the engineering team results in fewer change orders- and reduced project costs.
• Providing well designed, energy efficient lighting and ventilation solutions at an earlier stage in the design process results in reduced air conditioning loads, and avoids costly redesign by the mechanical engineer.
• Modeling and integration of daylighting into a building design at an early stage avoids costly architectural redesign. It also helps achieve up to 30 points on the LEED rating system.
• Where energy efficiency programs are available through the state or utilities, working with an energy savvy consultant such as Light/Space/Design can help pay for better design and equipment that will save money for years to come.
• Light/Space/Design is a small, woman-owned firm that believes in customized service at a reasonable cost. Our services can cost less and take less time to achieve a quality design than working with professionals that do not have our specialized knowledge and design skills.

• Determines illuminance, luminance, and contrast requirements based on interviews with users and other documented variables. This is in addition to IESNA recommendations, which may be the only criteria used by some firms.
• Visits existing spaces to evaluate lighting conditions, where possible.
• Evaluates maintenance staff capabilities to help determine appropriate system selection.
• Keeps up to date on a wide range of current lighting products and technologies through national trade shows and seminars with other lighting experts.
• Maintains a full complement of lighting product catalogs in house, and does not rely solely on manufacturers representatives for product selection.
• Maintains LC certification through NCQLP (National Council for Qualified Lighting Professionals).
• Performs computer modeling in-house, rather than rely on calculations from manufacturer employees who do not understand the project conditions and local codes or utility rebate programs.
• Takes the time to educate the customer about life-cycle cost savings, and newer technologies, products, and practices.
• Maintains contact with utility based efficiency programs, and complete necessary documentation so that customers obtain rebates on high performance equipment.

• Evaluates a lighting system based on lighting effectiveness, not only energy efficiency.
• Selects lighting that provides a visually appealing solution, as well as one that uses energy wisely.
• Provides lighting expertise that recognizes human factors in lighting design and control. These include psychological and physiological effects of light color quality, glare, direct and indirect lighting, and daylight, as well as personal control of the lighting in one's space.
• Keeps up to date on all types of current lighting products and technologies through national trade shows and seminars with other lighting experts.
• Maintains a full range of lighting products catalogs in house, and not rely on manufacturers representatives for product selection.
• Maintains LC certification through NCQLP (National Council for Qualified Lighting Professionals).
• Understands the complex world of architectural design and construction professionals, their interrelationships and goals.

• As architects, we know how to communicate with and understand architect's concerns.
• We provide comprehensive daylighting analysis and consulting, integrated with the electrical lighting and controls selection. This is most unusual for lighting designers, and again emphasizes the importance of our architectural experience.
• We typically seek solutions that minimize energy usage without compromising aesthetics.
• We always consider the effect of lighting decisions on other architectural and mechanical system selection, and coordinate those issues with the architect and engineers.
• Having had extensive experience with utility based efficiency programs, we assist the customer in completing necessary forms so that they may obtain rebates on high performance equipment and controls.