Sustainable Lighting Design in Commercial Spaces

When designing commercial spaces, lighting design is a crucial element. It is imperative to have a plan for lighting design and its implementation. The proper lighting can enhance the overall atmosphere of a space, impact feelings, increase productivity, give positive energy to customers by influencing their perceptions positively, and promote a positive experience for customers and staff of the organization. However, with the increasing need to reduce our environmental impact, sustainable lighting design has become more critical than ever before.

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This blog will share tips on incorporating sustainable lighting design in commercial spaces and other essential aspects.

(Source: Baseline HK)

Incorporating Natural Lighting in the Design

Natural lighting is an excellent way to incorporate sustainable design into commercial spaces. It contributes to energy saving and creates a more pleasant and inviting ambiance for customers and employees by giving a natural feeling to the atmosphere.

A significant benefit of natural lighting is how it improves the mood. Natural lighting creates positive emotions, reduces stress, and increases productivity. In addition, exposure to natural light can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, improving sleep patterns and enhancing the overall mood, activeness, and well-being of customers and employees. Natural lighting is also associated with several health benefits, including improved vision, reduced eye strain, and lower incidence of headaches and migraines. 

Incorporating natural lighting into commercial spaces is also a sustainable design choice that can help reduce your carbon footprint. Combining it with artificial lighting can lower energy consumption and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, building codes and regulations sometimes require a certain amount of natural lighting in commercial spaces. By incorporating natural lighting, you can ensure compliance with these regulations and avoid potential penalties or fines. For example, this NYC building code states the requirements for the dimensions and the location of the source of natural light.

(Source: Baseline HK)

Selection of Lighting Features

Consumers and businesses are now migrating towards eco-friendly products and implementation methods. As a result, commercial spaces are also now being designed to incorporate sustainable solutions. Lighting fixtures can consume up to 30% of a building’s energy. As such, incorporating sustainable lighting in commercial spaces helps conserve energy and reduce carbon footprint.

Here are the criteria for selecting lighting fixtures with sustainability in mind.

Energy-efficient

One of the essential aspects of sustainable lighting design to consider is choosing energy-efficient lighting fixtures, such as LED lights that consume less energy than traditional bulbs. 

LED technology is truly a marvel of efficiency, yielding up to 110 lumens/watt, far surpassing the output of traditional light sources. LEDs produce a stunning seven times more light than their outdated counterparts. 

Choosing energy-efficient lighting has many benefits, leading to significant energy savings over time. In addition, LED lights are durable and can withstand a wide range of temperatures and conditions; also, the LED lights come in various sizes and shapes, making them a versatile lighting option used in a wide range of applications, from home lighting to commercial lighting.

Long Lifespan

In addition to being energy-efficient, lighting units with a long lifespan are crucial for sustainable lighting design. It reduces the need for frequent replacements, saving money and reducing waste, ensuring the lighting system remains reliable and functional for a long time.

When selecting lighting fixtures, look for options like LED lights made from durable and high-quality materials that can withstand the rigors of daily use. They use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs, which can translate to significant cost savings over time. In addition, LED lights made from solid-state components are less prone to wear and tear than traditional lighting options. LED lights also have a lower failure rate, making them less likely to need replacement or repair. Finally, choosing lighting options with high-quality drivers and capacitors can ensure the fixture functions reliably for a long time.

Consider also the maintenance requirements of the lighting fixtures. Some lighting fixtures require regular maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing parts, to ensure optimal function. By selecting fixtures that require minimal maintenance, you can further reduce the cost and environmental impact of the lighting system.

Sustainability doesn’t end with buying energy-efficient options since disposal is to consider. Selecting options made from recyclable materials or easily disassembled and recycled can further reduce the environmental impact of the lighting system. In addition, some lighting manufacturers offer take-back programs or recycling services to help ensure that their products are disposed of responsibly.

By selecting durable and high-quality options, you can save money, reduce waste, and ensure that your lighting system remains reliable and functional for a long time. Consider factors such as the quality of the components, maintenance requirements, energy efficiency, and end-of-life disposal when selecting lighting fixtures for your sustainable lighting design project.

Sourced locally

Choosing local lighting fixtures is one of the most effective ways to lower your carbon footprint. Therefore, it is far better to select lighting products from manufacturers that source close to you. Because close companies have avoided transporting products worldwide, transportation emissions have significantly reduced. Moreover, locally based companies are generally more mindful of environmental policies in their country as well.

Plastic-free packaging

When selecting lighting fixtures for your commercial space, look for products that come in plastic-free packaging. Plastics are incredibly harmful to the environment and take hundreds of years to decompose completely. Instead, look for packaging made from biodegradable or recyclable materials disposed of safely. By doing so, you are minimizing your carbon footprint and supporting environmentally-friendly solutions.

(Source: Baseline HK)

Install Lighting Controls

Lighting controls are another way to incorporate sustainable lighting design in commercial spaces.These include dimmer switches, motion sensors, and timers that allow you to control when and how much lighting is used in your room. It reduces energy consumption and creates a more flexible and customizable lighting system that can be adapted to meet the needs of different areas within your commercial space.

Lighting controls provide convenience for managing lighting quality, such as preventing or managing glare to improve your employees’ and customers’ comfort and productivity. Lighting controls also provide flexibility and offer the ability to adjust lighting effects, intensity levels, and schedules to meet the changing needs of your business.

Dimmers help control the light emitted in a particular space, reducing energy consumption when full brightness isn’t necessary. Meanwhile, occupancy sensors automatically turn lights on and off depending on the presence or absence of individuals in a room. By managing light usage this way, you can reduce energy use and cut costs without sacrificing productivity or comfort in your spaces.

Many commercial buildings have areas that aren’t frequently occupied but require lighting for safety reasons. For example, storage rooms or restrooms require lighting, but light can be turned off when not in use. A simple solution to reduce energy consumption in these spaces is motion-activated lights. It means the light will only turn on when someone walks into the area, automatically shutting off after a predetermined time. Implementing this technology in your commercial space can help reduce your energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Work With A Professional Lighting Designer

Working with professional lighting designers can help simplify the process of incorporating sustainable lighting design in commercial spaces. Professionals often have a design team that can provide a scale drawing or similar illustrations of how they plan to incorporate sustainable lighting into a room. 

Suppose you want sustainable lighting for your office or other commercial spaces. Baseline can help!

Baseline Lighting Design Studio creates stunning lighting experiences in high-end hospitality and luxury retail spaces. Our team of experts leverages their knowledge and skills to develop a strategic design that will elevate your brand identity, environment, and merchandise like no other. We recognize the impact of creating ambiance through illumination, and our designs prioritize enhancing the customer experience. 

Our lighting designer can help you select suitable lighting instruments, design a lighting system that meets your needs, and provide expert advice on creating a sustainable and efficient lighting system. 

Contact us today to learn how we can leverage the psychology of color and lighting concepts to create a welcoming and eco-friendly environment that aligns with your brand identity and values. Our lighting experts are here to help you achieve your sustainable lighting goals while creating an exceptional customer experience.