When to involve a Lighting Designer.
I am often asked at which point a lighting designer should be involved with a project. The answer is always a resounding 'the earlier the better'. On so many projects we either get a call at the last minute from a panicked client stating that they can't stand the formulaic grid-style lighting that their architect has planned to install and could we possibly do something before the builders leave next week, or we get asked to install a lighting scheme on a totally finished project, leaving us with very little flexibility. To achieve a balanced and complimentary scheme, the illumination of a project should be considered inline with room layout, design of the interior and the building work itself. The best point at which to contact your lighting designer is even before the project has begun, as this will allow full integration of the theme of your home within the lighting scheme. Once contacted, your designer will be able to create the desired scheme for you, whether it be for one room of your home, or for the entire interior and exterior.
If your only option is to call upon a lighting designer at the last minute, there is still a reasonable amount of flexibility that can be adopted to provide you with the illuminations that you desire. Clever high-lighting and low-lighting can be implemented to focus attention to and away from, certain aspects of your home. Certain types of fittings are also easier to install, such as surface mounted wall lights and pendants thereby reducing the amount of disruption to your newly built or refurbished home. A great deal of adaptability can normally be applied in the garden, where a designer would take established features (such as an old oak tree or flowerbeds) and suitably light them to create a dramatic effect. Cabling needn't be buried either which will help reduce the amount of time taken to install the scheme.
The possibilities within lighting depend on each individual project and designers should avoid the 'one size fits all' approach in order to produce an appropriate scheme that and compliments and blends well with the design of the project. Although it is preferable to involve a lighting designer at the very beginning of your project, no matter how far along the project a good designer should be able to create an inspirational and innovative scheme to suit you.
RW.
If your only option is to call upon a lighting designer at the last minute, there is still a reasonable amount of flexibility that can be adopted to provide you with the illuminations that you desire. Clever high-lighting and low-lighting can be implemented to focus attention to and away from, certain aspects of your home. Certain types of fittings are also easier to install, such as surface mounted wall lights and pendants thereby reducing the amount of disruption to your newly built or refurbished home. A great deal of adaptability can normally be applied in the garden, where a designer would take established features (such as an old oak tree or flowerbeds) and suitably light them to create a dramatic effect. Cabling needn't be buried either which will help reduce the amount of time taken to install the scheme.
The possibilities within lighting depend on each individual project and designers should avoid the 'one size fits all' approach in order to produce an appropriate scheme that and compliments and blends well with the design of the project. Although it is preferable to involve a lighting designer at the very beginning of your project, no matter how far along the project a good designer should be able to create an inspirational and innovative scheme to suit you.
RW.
posted by Light IQ @ Friday, October 05, 2007 
Post a Comment