Illuminating facades can transform a daylight view into something magical at night-time. A regular building can turn into a captivating architectural structure creating a timeless impact for the look of the building. It can add another dimension to your design, and when done correctly, it can offer breathtaking night-time views.
As one of the most important elements in exterior lighting design, there are many factors to consider when lighting for façades:
- Identity & Aesthetics
- Society & Economy
- Safety & Security
- Sustainability
Identity & Aesthetics
Well designed façade lighting can accentuate the architectural characteristics and provide a remarkable first impression of the building. With façade lighting, a building that looks normal during the day can alter into a piece of art during the night. The interplay of light and shade can emphasise the distinctive architectural details and create a dramatic look to bring life to your outdoor space. Personality can be created through the combination of colour and lighting techniques to convey a building’s identity or brand. You can even go as far as to use your brand’s corporate colours to define who’s building it is, making your mark on the city.
Society & Economy
A city can offer many social and economic values at night. With many of us seeking entertainment and embracing night-time activities, places with good façade lighting can entice tourists to spend time and money at those premises. This provides economical benefits that can grow new businesses, developments and residential housing to an attractive location. With the introduction of LED, exterior lighting is now an affordable way to dramatically increase a buildings prominence within the street, neighbourhood or area.
Safety & Security
Façades that are illuminated make people feel safer as they navigate through the night. It can discourage vandalism and create a more inviting space that’s visible from a distance. By implementing lighting techniques such as horizontal and vertical lighting, façade lighting can increase the sense of safety for everyone. Vibrancy is an important part of facade light design, when activated in the right areas vibrant lighting offers safety and encourages activity late into the night. Whereas in residential areas consideration should be given to light levels. Artificial light can negatively affect residents by intrusively spilling into apartments or houses. This overexposure can impact health by disrupting circadian rhythms and disturbing sleep patterns. Well planned façade lighting that considers the surrounding areas, zones, architectural elements of the buildings and vibrancy will provide a safe and pleasant space for all.
Sustainability
Light pollution is a modern-age climate issue, it affects cities across the world. With social and technological changes, the demand for sustainable lighting is becoming a crucial element in all aspects of our work. Façade lighting tends to produce large quantities of unnecessary luminance and when done inadequately can add to negative impacts on the environment. Light fittings with dimmable or smart control options allows us to conserve energy and prevent light pollution. Setting certain times the lights will be turned on based on the seasons or changing the light intensity, will help to minimise energy consumption. Cities are also using facade lighting as part of their overall strategy to provide more uniform light to increase security and energy efficiency.
Want some expert advice?
Our experienced team of lighting designers can provide lighting solutions for your next project. We offer an extensive range of exterior lighting options. Whether it’s decorative wall lights, ground recessed up lights or floodlights, these luminaires can be used to illuminate your outdoor space whilst maximising energy efficiency. Contact your local LPA representative today to discuss you next exterior project.
Illuminating pool facilities and water features can be a challenging endeavour. Whether you are designing a swimming pool for your backyard or a water feature at a hotel entrance, lighting can enhance and elevate your space to another level.
When selecting light fittings for these spaces, it’s important to consider the longevity of the lights, energy efficiency, glare control and the proper lighting levels. There are many benefits to lighting your pool or water features, we have listed a few benefits below:
Ambience
Lighting for a pool, spa or water feature can add ambience to your space at night. It can create a luxury paradise or resort look that extends beyond the pool or water feature. Architectural elements such as waterfalls, spas or walls of the pool can be more defined. A well designed space can also extend its usage into the night and encourage residents or visitors to use it in a safe and enjoyable place. By utilising the various options of lighting, you can design a space to suit any occasion or event.
Safety & Security
At night, it’s essential to increase visibility for everyone using the space. The surrounding areas such as the deck and pathways tend to see more foot traffic than the pool itself. Step lights can be used directly in the decking or hardscape setting to create a minimal and seamless look. Spotlights are also a good choice to frame out the space around a pool or spa area. There are several fittings and lighting techniques that can be employed to bring another level of safety and security for these spaces.
Glare
Creating a low glare environment is vital for pool facilities. Light reflected off a water surface can cause glare and discomfort for those using the area. This can be a major safety concern when it comes to visibility in particular for swimming pools that require lifeguards. To provide better visual comfort and ensure good uniformity, carefully consider the placement of the light fixtures, the beam optics and the colour temperature.
Energy Efficiency
With a larger emphasis on energy efficiency, LED lighting has become the standard choice for pools, spas, water features and more. They are a simple and practical solution offering a longer lifespan with less maintenance. LED lights are available in multiple colours with a range of dimming and control options allowing you to customise it to your design.
Are you ready to light up your space?
Our expert team of lighting designers are here to help you! We provide lighting solutions through our wide range of products perfect for any swimming pool, spa or water feature space. Any of these luminaires can be used to illuminate your outdoor space whilst maximising energy efficiency. Contact your local LPA representative today to transform your landscape space.
When designing for a retail store, the lighting you select can be an important component to your brand strategy. A store’s lighting can influence a customer’s decision to enter the store, determine how long they spend there and impact their purchasing behaviour. There are different lighting strategies and styles to achieve a variety of shopping experiences.
Here are some guidelines to determine the best type of lighting for each retail zone:
Window Displays & Shopfronts
First impressions count when it comes to the window displays of a store. We want to excite customers, draw them in and keep them engaged. A shopfront that is visually appealing and informative is a great way to catch the eye of passers-by and let them know what kind of goods and services to expect. A key consideration for this space is versatility and contrast. Window displays are constantly changing to keep consumers engaged. We recommended adjustable track lights, decorative pendants or adjustable downlights to create a variety of display options.
Checkout Registers & Point of Sales Stations
The checkout registers are key zones for customers as they make a purchase. Consider low-glare task lighting to avoid glare from the screens as staff carry out transactions in an efficient manner. It’s also a good opportunity for impulsive last-minute buys, so ensure the product displays are well illuminated at the counter.
Visual Merchandise & Product Displays
Using multiple sources of light in your retail store allows you to create contrast among your products. We recommend using accent lighting and backlighting to indicate the importance of products to customers. They are able to see the details of the product up close and keep customers lingering there. When placed strategically, they can guide the customer’s eye to where you want them to go. The illuminance level for accent lighting is typically higher than those used in general lighting areas. Consider adjustable track lights, cabinet and shelving lights and wall lights for product displays. The placement of displays also plays an important part in your store design. If you want to encourage your customers to venture deeper into the store, place them in the middle or towards the back.
Sales Floor
Lighting can brighten up the sales floor experience for customers. It can determine the ambience of the store and craft customer sentiment. Customers should feel comfortable and relaxed in the space. We recommend creating contrast but uniformed lighting for large sale floor areas. It can guide customers around the store to focus on your key merchandise. Wall washing is another great option to create a sense of space and depth.
Fitting Rooms
Often one of the most neglected zones, fitting rooms can be uncomfortable confined spaces with little to no natural light. The lighting should be flattering and create a positive experience for customers as they’ll evaluate whether to purchase the item or not. Colour rendering is crucial when it comes to fitting rooms. A recommended CRI<90 in a warmer colour temperature is best to accurately depict the colours of the item. Using a combination of front lighting illuminates the customer’s vertical planes while a wider illumination from above to provide ambient lighting is ideal. Indirect lighting can also help to soften the shadows and shape the body in a flattering light.
Back of House
The back-of-house area is just as important as any other retail space. Look for low-glare task lighting that’s ideal for office spaces and storage rooms. This will allow staff will be able to accomplish their work effectively. In supermarket stores with food preparation or refrigeration rooms, it’s important to ensure the luminaires installed meet food standards.
Need a little more help?
We have an experienced team of lighting designers ready to help you choose the perfect retail lighting solution. We offer a versatile range of retail lighting options from track lights to recessed fittings and many more. Contact your local LPA representative today to transform your retail space.
Sustainable design is increasingly becoming an integral part of our lives. LPA recognises the environmental impact businesses have on our planet. By partnering with brands achieving the same goals, being adaptable with our service offerings, sourcing products and creating lighting solutions that promote sustainability, we are doing our part to support the world’s change for a better future.
With our experienced team of designers, we focus on providing lighting solutions that minimise our environmental footprint. Our lighting designs are influenced by industry trends in architecture, interior design and lighting design. We work with our clients to analyse and find efficiencies in their design plans to contribute to their energy optimisation. Our team are able to communicate their lighting concepts through sketches, computer renders and detailed 2D and 3D documentation in a virtual space.
The use of natural light, reflective surfaces and additional elements such as green walls play a fundamental part in our design and the overall goal of reducing energy consumption. Clever design matched with good technology can reduce the need for artificial lighting – decreasing energy use in a building by 50-70%.
We design using luminaires that have a long life, are efficient, are repairable and replaceable without compromising on quality. Our products can be reused or recycled at the end of their life cycle. With the integration of smart technology, our team can utilise separate controls on individual areas allowing the use of motion and occupancy sensors to be implemented and reduce energy consumption.
LED lighting has revolutionised the way we illuminate our spaces. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, LEDs offer superior energy efficiency, longer lifespans, and cooler operation. But within the world of LEDs, there’s a further level of optimization to be achieved: high-efficiency chips.
What are High-Efficacy Chips?
At the heart of every LED lies a tiny semiconductor chip. This chip converts electrical energy into light energy, measured in lumens. Efficacy, expressed in lumens per watt (lm/W), tells us how efficiently this conversion happens. The higher the lm/W rating, the more light an LED chip produces for each watt of electricity consumed.
High-efficacy chips are the champions of this metric. Currently, they can achieve lm/W ratings exceeding 200, and research suggests even higher values are on the horizon. This translates to significant energy savings, making them a compelling choice for a variety of lighting applications.
Benefits of High-Efficacy Chips
Reduced Energy Consumption: The most apparent benefit is the substantial decrease in energy used. High-efficacy chips require less power to produce the same level of light compared to standard LED chips. This translates to lower electricity bills and a smaller carbon footprint.
Lower Heat Generation: LEDs already generate less heat than incandescent bulbs. High-efficacy chips take this a step further by minimizing heat production even more. This not only improves the overall lifespan of the LED fixture but also eliminates the need for bulky heat sinks, leading to sleeker and more aesthetically pleasing designs.
Longer Lifespan: Heat is a major enemy of LEDs, accelerating their degradation. Since high-efficiency chips generate less heat, they tend to last longer than their standard counterparts. This translates to fewer replacements and lower maintenance costs.
Improved Light Quality: High-efficacy chips don’t compromise on light quality. They are available in a wide range of colour temperatures and with excellent colour rendering index (CRI) ratings, ensuring vibrant and natural-looking light.
Applications for High-Efficacy Chips
The energy-saving potential of high-efficacy chips makes them ideal for various applications:
Commercial Lighting: Offices, warehouses, and retail spaces can significantly benefit from the reduced energy consumption offered by high-efficacy chips.
Street Lighting: High-powered LED streetlights equipped with these chips can illuminate roads and walkways efficiently, promoting safety and environmental responsibility.
Downlights and Panel Lights: These fixtures are commonly used in commercial and residential settings. High-efficacy chips can contribute to dramatic energy savings in these applications.
Task Lighting: Task lights provide concentrated illumination for activities like reading or working on a computer. High-efficacy chips can ensure adequate light levels while keeping energy use low.
Choosing High-Efficacy LED Lighting
When selecting LED lighting, look for fixtures that specify the lm/W rating of the chips used. Opt for options with ratings exceeding 150 lm/W to ensure high efficacy. Remember, a higher initial investment in high-efficacy chips can be offset by significant energy savings over the lifespan of the fixture.
The Future of High-Efficacy Chips
Research and development in LED technology are ongoing. Manufacturers are constantly striving to push the boundaries of efficacy. As the technology matures, we can expect even higher lm/W ratings, making LED lighting even more efficient and cost-effective.
In conclusion, high-efficiency chips represent a significant advancement in LED lighting technology. By prioritizing energy savings, longer lifespans, and cooler operations, they pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future of illumination. So, the next time you’re considering LED lighting, look for options featuring high-efficiency chips to experience the brightest and most responsible way to light your world.
Lighting Design to Reduce Energy Consumption
At LPA, our internal design team comes from varying backgrounds architectural, engineering, design, and lighting itself. With their extensive knowledge and industry understanding a passion for lighting is apparent. LPA’s global footprint and shared services model empower us to cater to both global design needs and regional requirements. By adhering to four key principles—lighting product, lighting design, smart controls, and data monitoring and management—LPA establishes holistic and highly efficient lighting systems. These systems not only reduce energy consumption but also promote sustainability and cost-effectiveness for our clients.
Lighting Technologies for Designers:
Li-Fi (Light Fidelity)
- Uses LED bulbs for high-speed data transfer through visible light communication.
- Enables integrated lighting and data connectivity within spaces.
OLEDs (Organic Light Emitting Diodes)
- Offer thin, flexible, and sometimes transparent light sources.
- Allow for creative integration into architectural elements for unique aesthetics.
Advanced Control Systems and Integration:
Smart Controls and IoT Integration
- Enable sophisticated lighting systems adjusting based on real-time data.
- Personalise lighting experiences according to user preferences and environmental conditions.
BIM (Building Information Modeling) and Photometric Software “AGI”
- Assist in simulating and analyzing lighting conditions in spaces.
- Integrate lighting plans seamlessly into overall architectural designs for coherence and efficiency.
Lighting Design
Our lighting designers use several technologies to create efficient lighting plans. Photometric software plays a crucial role, allowing designers to simulate and analyse lighting conditions in a space. This software helps in predicting how light will behave in different areas, considering factors like intensity, distribution, and colour. Additionally, Building Information Modeling (BIM) software enables designers to integrate lighting plans into overall architectural designs, ensuring coherence and efficiency in the use of light within a space. Advanced sensors and controls aid in creating responsive lighting systems, adjusting illumination based on factors like occupancy, daylight levels, and user preferences. These technologies enable designers to craft comprehensive lighting schemes that prioritise efficiency and optimal light quality.
Smart Controls
Globally, building regulations are increasingly calling for the adoption of intelligent lighting and environment control systems. By incorporating smart lighting controls like Casambi and DALI, you can easily manage your lighting systems, not only reducing your expenditure but also contributing to a greener environment. These innovative control solutions grant you the power to customise your lighting according to your preferences. With Casambi, it’s as simple as using your smartphone thanks to its wireless Bluetooth capabilities. You can fine-tune the colour temperatures, adapt to various settings, and even schedule your daily lighting needs. This not only makes it a cost-effective solution but also positions it as a forward-thinking choice for sustainable lighting.
Through using intelligent controls such as sensors and zoning, you are able to illuminate the areas that are in use and turn lights off when no one is present, ensuring that you’re not wasting energy unnecessarily.
Energy Management
Widesky provides an innovative, technology-driven solution that empowers transparency and accountability when it comes to collecting and reporting sustainability data. By harnessing the power of our platform, we illuminate the previously hidden aspects of your environmental impact, allowing you to monitor and comprehend your energy consumption. With the goal of lowering carbon emissions and cutting down costs.
The Widesky platform gives consumers the ability to gain valuable insights and understanding of their emissions through intuitive data visualisation. For larger enterprises and prominent brands, Widesky serves as a comprehensive platform capable of hosting and managing extensive company data, facilitating effortless comparison and enhancing accessibility.
Want some expert advice?
Get in touch with our team today to discuss your next project! At LPA, we are experts in lighting from large-scale commercial projects to small retail stores, we have the best lighting solutions for you. Our experienced team and versatile range of products can reduce your energy consumption and improve your lighting quality.
Security is more important than ever. When darkness falls, good lighting design is one of the most effective ways to ensure visibility and security. Exterior lighting plays a key role in determining how safe people feel. By using a combination of quality light fixtures and design approaches, you can achieve your desired results.
Well-illuminated spaces drastically minimise accidents, vandalism or break-ins from occurring. They can keep your space protected and provide safe passage for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers during the night.
Exterior light fittings should be robust and vandal resistant. They are often exposed to outdoor conditions making them vulnerable to deterioration. In addition to choosing suitable lights for your project, it’s important to consider good uniformity, the placement of the lights and energy efficiency in order to create a safe environment.
Commercial & Residential Properties
For commercial and domestic properties, outdoor lighting combined with a security or surveillance system is recommended. Although they are expensive, the sense of security far outweighs the cost. Not only does it assist you by identifying potential intruders, but it can also give the impression of someone at the property when there’s no one there. Good uniformed lighting minimises glare and makes it easier to see on a surveillance system. Key areas to consider lighting are the front entrance or porch, garage, car park or driveway, pathways, back entrances, landscaping and any outdoor areas such as a patio or pool. The lighting should be cohesive and compliment the style of the premise making it flow seamlessly together.
Roads, Car Parks & Pathways
There are several variables when it comes to car parks, pathways and road lighting. Unlike interior lighting, boundaries aren’t always defined and could hinder people’s safety. Appropriate exterior lighting can establish safe navigation from one location to another. It’s about finding a solution that not only works for the individual space but the surrounding areas as well. The key focus to consider is the location of the lights, circulation routes and how traffic will flow, glare, low maintenance and dimming and smart control options.
White light is recommended as the eye perceives it as more natural. You are able to recognise colour, shapes and faces better when it’s used. As drivers get older, they are more sensitive to glare and colour vision declines. Using white lights for roads, car parks and pathways ensures drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can assess and avoid hazards and risks in time.
Energy Consumption & Smart Controls
Integrating dimming, smart controls and emergency lighting into the design can contribute to energy efficiency and people’s safety. Motion sensors are a great investment around a property. They are triggered by movement and could alert you to potential trespassers in the area. Timers and photocell sensors are useful for lights on roads or car parks. The lights automatically turn off once sunlight is detected. This is particularly worthwhile during seasonal changes when it’s darker earlier on winter days. Lighting should be concentrated on the main areas to avoid unnecessary light spills. With appropriate lighting and emergency controls, lights can be used only when required allowing you to save money and significantly reduce energy consumption.
With security lighting, it isn’t always about having the brightest lights, it’s about having a suitable lighting solution that works in the exterior space. It goes without saying, it’s always advisable to have an alarm or surveillance system in place as an added form of security.
We are here to help you!
Our expert team of lighting designers offer lighting solutions that work for you. Whether you are looking to illuminate a building, pathway, car park or save energy with your garden lights, we offer a comprehensive range of lights suitable for any outdoor space. Contact your local LPA representative today to discuss your next exterior project.