Lighting Design

Amber LED light fixtures are used in cleanrooms to minimize the impact on photochemically sensitive materials and processes, such as photoresists used in semiconductor manufacturing. The 590nm amber light filters out shorter, potentially damaging wavelengths (like blue and UV), preventing premature reactions or exposure. Why Amber Lighting is Used in Cleanrooms: Protection of Photoresists: In semiconductor manufacturing, [...]

  A recent article, Guidelines for Converting LED to LED: What Turnkey Lighting Contractors Need to Know, by George McIntyre, addresses the emerging need for second-generation LED retrofits in commercial and industrial buildings. As many first-generation LED systems installed between 2015 and 2020 begin to show signs of decline, lighting contractors should approach LED-to-LED conversions [...]

By Chris Udall, senior product manager for commercial business, Lutron Electronics. The future of commercial lighting is wireless. As control systems evolve, smart wireless solutions are redefining what’s possible—building owners and facility managers have come to expect lighting that enhances the occupant experience and delivers seamless performance. Wireless lighting and control can help meet and [...]

  Here is my latest article published in the May issue of LD+A Magazine: Al Jamea-tus-Saifiyah University’s Nairobi, Kenya campus stands as a testament to the seamless integration of historical inspiration and contemporary design. Drawing from the rich architectural heritage of the 10th-century Fatimid era, the campus design incorporates verdant gardens and tranquil spaces that [...]

The Crestron SolarSync Outdoor Daylight and Color Temperature Sensor (GLS-LCCT) enables the ability to regulate indoor lighting to match the intensity and color temperature of actual daylight outdoors. A single SolarSync sensor installed on a building’s rooftop measures the exact correlated color temperature (CCT) and illuminance (lux) of the natural daylight, and reports it to [...]

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has announced the release of a new book, Fundamentals of Energy Efficient Lighting and Controls, now available through the AEE Bookstore. This comprehensive guide is designed to support lighting practitioners, architects, engineers, facility managers, energy consultants, and students in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of lighting technology, controls, and [...]

Below is an excerpt of my latest article in the March, 2025 issue of LD+A: The WestStar Tower in El Paso, TX marks a significant milestone as the first newly constructed skyscraper in the city in 40 years. It brings fresh energy to the urban skyline, symbolling El Paso’s unique position along the U.S.-Mexico border. [...]

LED Lighting Supply has introduced a new indirect LED lighting solution for indoor sports courts and high-ceiling athletic facilities. This innovative system directs light upward to the ceiling or outward to the walls, addressing common drawbacks associated with conventional direct lighting options, such as harsh glare and uneven brightness. Reflectance of the ceiling and walls [...]

Editor’s correction: The original version of this story listed a simple payback calculation based on the project’s cost divided by annual energy cost savings. I’ve since learned the energy savings figures were based on lighting and controls savings only. The HVAC energy savings have not yet been determined for this project, and will require more [...]