There are only a handful of things in architecture and home building that are more desirable to buyers than natural light. “[It] is the most important factor in the appreciation and understanding of architecture,” writes lighting designer Víctor Palacio. “The relationship between light and architecture is grounded in the principles of physics; it is about energy and matter, but in this particular case it also implies an emotional effect on people.”
But no matter where you build and how good the natural light is in your homes, your clients and buyers will eventually need to turn on artificial illumination, making it equally important to buyers.
For years, lighting designers have been extolling the virtues of good lighting, championing its effect on mood, productivity, and health, says the International Association of Lighting Designers. Plus, good lighting enhances the look of good architecture.
And yet, designers say lighting is an oft-overlooked element. As one designer puts it, “There is little point in creating luxury surroundings if they cannot then be appreciated properly or if there is insufficient light to be able to carry out even the most basic of tasks.”
Getting the lighting in your homes right is vital, and it’s important to give buyers and clients the most energy-efficient and well-designed system you can.
Hiring a lighting professional who knows what he or she is doing is a good start, but choosing the right products and system also is key.
Fortunately, the lighting category has entered a new era. The incandescent bulb is disappearing (slowly), and in its place we have LEDs that last well over 20 years and (often) beyond.
And like almost every other area of the home, the lighting category has gone high-tech, with smart bulbs and wireless control systems. This merging of lighting and technology is part of the rapidly evolving home tech category—one in which HVAC, lighting, audio, security, and door locks and openers often are connected on one platform that can be controlled from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
The Winter Issue is dedicated to these two vibrant and evolving product categories. On the following pages you will find cutting-edge thermostats, exquisitely designed fixtures, a Wi-Fi-enabled lock and garage door opener, 3-D-printed lights, and much more.
When specified correctly, these lighting and home tech products will make life brighter and more convenient for your buyers, and it may even make them happier and healthier too.
Suspenders is a modular LED system of interconnected elements and components. Inspired by founder Robert Sonneman’s original 1980s patent, it can be configured as long, as wide, and as deep as you can imagine. Pendants are available in singles, clusters of three, and more.
52%
OF HOMEOWNERS
OWN AT LEAST
ONE SMART-HOME
PRODUCT
SOURCE: ALARM.COM CONSUMER SURVEY, MAY 2016
Designed by Thinkk Studio, these wood-and-concrete pendants combine two different techniques—wood lathing and thin-walled concrete casting—to make the same shape in both materials. The fi xtures are available in natural and red colors, but customers may compose their own combination of lights.
HOURS PER DAY THAT LIGHTS ARE ON
(Assumed)
ROOM .................................................. HOURS PER DAY
KITCHEN ..........................................................................3
LIVING ROOM ..................................................................3
DINING ROOM .................................................................3
BASEMENT ...................................................................2.5
HOME OFFICE .................................................................2
BATHROOM ...................................................................1.5
GARAGE ........................................................................1.5
ENTRY, FOYER, OR MUDROOM ..................................1.5
(Single-Family)
HALLWAY .......................................................................1.5
(Single-Family)
LAUNDRY ROOM ...........................................................1.5
BEDROOM ....................................................................... 1
CLOSET ........................................................................... 1
NIGHT LIGHT ..................................................................12
Source: The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Typical hours of use were calculated as the median value (rounded to 0.5 hours) of five data sets collected from these references: U.S. Department of Energy (2012), U.S. Lighting Market Characterization. Leslie, R., Conway, K. (1996); Lighting Pattern Book for Homes. Mcgraw-Hill Professional Publishing, New York, NY; New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (2011) Impact Evaluation: Nyserda CFL Expansion Program: Random Digit Dial and onsite survey results
The Benefits of Home Technology: A Builder’s Perspective
By Pamela Sadler, Design Consultant, The New Home Company
At The New Home Company, partnering with security and home automation integrators has differentiated us in the marketplace and allowed us to offer the latest technology at our communities, including Woodbury in Lafayette, Calif.
The decision to feature Control4 in our communities, which adds audio, video, and richer integration to an Alarm.com offering, has been well received by many buyer demographics. When weighing which high-tech options would set us apart from other new developments in the area, providing a “smart home” was high on the list.
As the on-site design consultant for Woodbury, it was extremely rewarding for me to experience the positive reactions to this highend, standard amenity. The “lock and leave” buyers found that it fit the needs of their lifestyle perfectly. Advantages such as being able to use the Control4 app on their smartphones; seeing visitors as they arrive; allowing access from afar (even abroad); and controlling HVAC, lighting, and door locks remotely with the push of a button provide total peace of mind for the homeowner.
Our buyers with children appreciate the ability to monitor their homes’ interior and the option to use the “good night” button, which shuts off all lights, locks doors, turns off TVs and music, and arms the security system. The state-of-the-art system has saved many a stern conversation about conservation and costs!
No matter the age or gender of our homebuyers, this “smart home” amenity has been perceived as a valuable addition.
Inspired by chochins, archetypal lanterns typically found outside Japanese sushi restaurants, the Esper Pendant 01 LED fixture is made from glass, steel, and aluminum. It measures 11 inches in diameter by 12 inches tall and comes with 8 feet of cord that can be adjusted on site.
“Being a semi-custom builder, we engage our buyers in the process of selecting lighting. We utilize a lot of recessed lighting in our homes as it provides a clean look that is very functional. Recessed lighting works well in kitchens, dining rooms, family rooms, hallways, and even on the exterior. Our designers will then preselect decorative options that reflect the style of the home. These will include pendant lighting, chandeliers, ceiling fans, and bathroom vanity lighting. If a buyer is involved at this stage of construction, our designers will work with them to make final selections.”
—Scott Eaves, Director of Sales and Marketing, Epic Development
Designed by Francisco Gomez Paz, the Mesh suspension lamp offers multiple lighting scenarios. The product features a stainless steel structure, polycarbonate lenses, and LEDs that use 65 watts. It measures 34.9 inches long and 34.9 inches wide.
The primary lights in the kitchen, living room, and dining room account for the most lighting energy use in the average home.
SOURCE: THE LIGHTING RESEARCH CENTER AT RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
Zelda is a diamond-shaped fixture that a homeowner can manipulate in a variety of ways. It features custom brass hardware and LED tubes. Nine finishes are available.
Lighting Techniques That Work
By Sanjit Bahra, Founder, Design Plus Light
Lighting plays a large part in our moods, an effect that can be seen in the lethargy people often feel during the cold, gray winter months. But lighting also can help homeowners feel happier or more upbeat. The right dimmed light in the bedroom, for example, may help relieve the stresses of the day while thoughtful lighting at your desk can help you work productively.
Good lighting requires creating layers of different lighting effects. Intensities of light and ambience need to be considered in different rooms. Soft lights can produce a restful feeling perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms, but it needs to be balanced so as not to make the room too gloomy. Harder lights are great for areas that need to be highlighted, such as work spaces and food preparation.
The entry hallway is the gateway to a house; it provides an important impression when people first enter and defines a home’s personality. Set the tone by welcoming people into a creative, well-lit, and inviting hallway.
The right lighting can make a small space appear larger by seemingly pulling space out of thin air. A room looks wider when light fittings are placed higher up on the wall, moving the eye vertically rather than horizontally. Recessed ceiling lights can make a room seem brighter and more open without taking up any additional space. And lighting a door, shelving, or any recessed areas can also make spaces appear larger.
On the exterior, use accent lighting to highlight a tree or a special plant or to light up a pathway. It will create another room for the house and add to its value.
This story originally appeared in the Winter 2016 issue of PRODUCTS magazine. See the print version here.
