Lighting Design for New Home Construction

17 years ago

I'm building a new home and have a meeting with the electrician tomorrow to specify where I want outlets, lights, what type of lights, etc. I have learned a ton just reading thru posts here and on the building forum, but thought I'd toss out the general question of "What do I really need to know for this meeting, and what should I be asking for?"

I have more specific questions as well:

What type of lighting should I use to illuminate artwork, particularly paintings? My last home was equiped with can lights that were half covered to direct the light onto the paintings. Is that ideal, or are there other options?

If I'm using programmable lighting scenes to operate through LCD keypads (rather than lines of traditional wall switches), do I still have to specify lighting groups (i.e., these four lights should operate on Switch A, these two on Switch B, etc., etc., or will they all be separate and digitally programmed)? Our A/V tech who is setting up the whole house audio/video system and the LCD keypads is meeting us with the electrician and I hope he can answer that question definitively.

I've read here about step lighting, but really how great are those little footpath lights and how do you determine spacing?

Any other advice is appreciated.

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Comments (3)

dim4fun
17 years ago
For your lighting control system, it would be expensive but possible to make every fixture independant. Group the light fixtures as it makes sense. Each independant fixture or group will be wired to a remotely mounted dimmer or switch. Some systems have multiple dimmers and switches in a single device called a module. The systems can be programmed to operate as you suggest with group A, B etc., controlled by individual buttons or by current use of the room which is actually easier to deal with in large rooms with lots of zones of light to manage. Button 1 is for reading, 2 is for TV, 3 for movie, etc. A combination of these two button designs can be most effective.

Wall washing (what you had) is a bit different than more intensly focused accent lighting which is what normally one thinks of when displaying paintings in a home. Narrow hallways full of small family photos could be a good use of wall washing. Gallerys that tend to change paintings often might flood an entire wall but some galleries move their more precise accent lighting at every show. Halogen is a popular lamp choice. For smaller fixtures and precise beam conrol use MR16 lamps. Par 30 lamps are lower cost per fixture. The size and placement of paintings would be helpful to know for whomever is laying out the lights.

Step lights add more visual drama. I'm not convinced that they add any safety unless if in the riser they are in each one. Anything else is just for effect. If in the side wall then you have to know what fixture you are working with.

It sounds like you are tackling the job of lighting designer with little experience and need to be good at it by morning. Good luck. No pressure there at all.
soonermagic
Original Author
17 years ago
The electrician gave me more time, so if anyone else wants to chime in here to help, I'd appreciate it.
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Jon1270
17 years ago
It amazes me that architects leave lighting to be figured out at the last minute, often by the customer. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any one-size-fits-all prescription for "what you need to know." You might want to read a book or two on lighting design, or digest some more online resources, to help clarify your concerns and questions.

Lighting Design for New Home Construction

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dim4fun

soonermagic
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Lighting Design for New Home Construction

Comments (3)

dim4fun

soonermagicOriginal Author

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Jon1270

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soonermagic
Original Author