How to Illuminate Stained Glass Windows

I am a lighting designer and I love what I get to do every day. We work on all types of projects from large hotels or high rises to boutique retail shops. I enjoy them all. I have learned over the years that even small projects can have unique, creative challenges.

This is especially true with projects that require backlighting of stained glass.

The Effects of Lighting on Health

November is National Family Caregivers Month, and it seems fitting for us to discuss how light affects our health, particularly patients with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.

Recently I took a family member to the doctor and was shocked with the diagnosis—Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder afflicting American adults, behind Alzheimer’s disease.

EARLY LIGHTING CONTROL CONSIDERATION IN LIGHTING DESIGN

From the moment a designer embarks on a project, every decision made shapes the final outcome. Among these crucial considerations, lighting control stands out as a pivotal element that can make or break a space’s functionality, aesthetics, and energy efficiency.

Considerations for Impacting Spaces with Cove Lighting

As lighting designers, we understand the transformative power of light and its ability to create ambiance and enhance the aesthetic appeal of any space. Cove lighting is a popular technique that can elevate the visual impact of a room by providing indirect illumination from concealed sources.

Lighting Artwork

We recently completed a residential project where our client had an extensive collection of southwestern art and wanted to showcase a few pieces he was most proud of. We get this request quite frequently and there are many considerations.

Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s vital to consider the space that contains the artwork.

New Ordinance affects commercial & residential Lighting

This new Nashville ordinance, recently signed into law by Mayor Cooper on 4/7/2021 and in effect by Metro Council on 4/9/2021, affects Metro Nashville and Davidson County. It amends titles 16 and 17 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws regarding the design and operation of outdoor electrical lighting.

To read a summary of the new ordinance, click the link below:

How to ensure Your Lighting Design gets on the Final project

“The lighting installation doesn’t look the way we designed it,” is a statement we hear from many architects. The design team spends months developing concepts, selecting light fixtures, and working through design development to documentation. But then the project goes out to bid, everything is substituted, and the integrity of the design is either compromised or looks nothing like the original intent.

Part 1 of 6 in the series "How to Make Sure Your Lighting Design Gets on the Finished Project"

How the Lighting Fixture Package is like TV Cable

We recently made the painful switch from cable to streaming. We ended up piecing different streaming services together giving us better channel options and providing more control over our household budget. No one likes feeling that in order to get the channels you want, you have to buy a package that includes channels you will not watch.

Part 2 of 6 in the series "How to Make Sure Your Lighting Design Gets on the Finished Project".

The Lighting Costs…..What???

A Story in Unit Pricing

Did you know that lighting manufacturers build light fixtures from a designer’s perspective yet allow them to be sold from a contractor’s perspective? Lighting manufacturers are frustrated by this situation, yet they have allowed and encouraged it to happen. So, how did this come about?

Part 3 of 6 in the series "How to Make Sure Your Lighting Design Gets on the Finished Project".

Value Engineering Adds Neither

We bet you can’t remember the last project that you worked on that didn’t get value engineered by the contractor. Neither can we. Everyone understands that this is commonplace in the construction industry and that projects have budgets that must be maintained. However, it is the way projects get value engineered that needs to be reevaluated.

Part 4 of 6 in the series "How to Make Sure Your Lighting Design Gets on the Finished Project".

You Don’t Need to Herd Cats

We have been asked many times what we like most about being a lighting design firm. Of course, the obvious answer is the creative aspect of using light as a medium with architecture. Another would be the collaboration with others when working on a project.

Part 5 of 6 in the series "How to Make Sure Your Lighting Design Gets on the Finished Project".

Would the Real Lighting Designer Please Stand Up?

Does anyone remember the tv show, To Tell The Truth? My parents used to watch it and there is even a new version out now. The premise is that there are three contestants all claiming to be someone—two are imposters and one is the genuine article...

Part 6 of 6 in the series "How to Make Sure Your Lighting Design Gets on the Finished Project".

Three steps to a better lighting renovation

Many times throughout my career, I’ve heard stories of renovations that didn’t meet the expectations of the architect, designer or owner because the new lighting was inadequate, mostly due to light levels that were lower than promised or anticipated. It’s a frustrating experience for everyone involved. After all, how could new lighting be inadequate?

design Announcement

DHS Lighting Design Adds Revit and BIM360

In order to be a more valuable partner for the design community, DHS Lighting Design now provides lighting design in Revit, as well as AutoCAD and Sketchup formats. In addition, we are also capable of full BIM360 collaboration with your entire design team.

Should you like more information, please call our office at the number above or visit our contact page.

the problem with lumen output

When comparing the performance of LED downlights, lumen output alone doesn’t tell the whole story. On a recent hospitality project, the contractor wanted to substitute another light fixture that met the minimum lumen output requirement. It's a familiar story, but an incomplete one...

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5 REASONS TO CONSIDER HIRING A LIGHTING DESIGNER

There are 5 Reasons your may want to consider a lighting designer on your next project. There's no question that lighting design has become much more complex, requiring more design time and coordination. If you're an architect, electrical engineer, developer, owner, or facility manager, you are...