Lighting control commissioning is a critical part of the lighting design process. It is also a point at which all of the effort, skill and commitment up to that point can often come undone, resulting in the delivery of what might – to the frustration of the lighting design team and the client – ultimately be an underwhelming installation.
Lighting design goes far beyond simply achieving the right light levels. Lighting is critical for achieving the 'right' atmosphere in a space. Prior to commissioning, the process of choosing the right lighting can be slow and costly. Describing the desired results through calculations, sketches and renderings doesn’t adequately bring the nuances and subtleties of the design to life for the client.
Post-commission (once the lighting system and its controls have been installed), the ability to customise and interact with the lighting is significantly diminished. Not being able to adapt to light and shade conditions, and to respond to how the space is used leaves lighting designers and clients dissatisfied.
In response, built environment consultancy Hoare Lea began to look at making the process easier, more efficient and reliable – and, crucially, how the translation of lighting design could be shared and experienced in a more engaging and realistic way.
Exploration, investigation, and experimentation by Hoare Lea led to the development of its LightSIM Controls App©.
An intuitive, visual platform, LightSIM removes the pain points of coordinating the lighting design intent with the commissioning process to give the result the client imagines and expects.
This patent-pending, web-based tool lets the user create and explore lighting scenes with photometrically accurate imagery on-screen, before realising these in the real-world environment.
LightSim can be used by any lighting designer, consultant, lighting manufacturer or end-user. The objective is to give lighting design a podium to demonstrate its value and provide clients with a better understanding of the impact of lighting in their space… telling the ‘light’ story to all involved.
The LightSIM Controls App© has coding ‘intelligence’ behind its virtual buttons and sliders that enables it to communicate with a Mymesh control system in a real-world environment.
Once a ‘scene’ has been created in the App’s virtual environment, it can be sent via a web-based Cloud connection and then directly implemented into the Mymesh-enabled light fittings physically installed in the space.
Initially, LightSIM allowed stakeholders to be able to visually agree scenes months, or maybe years, before a building is complete. But it now also allows easy and quick reformatting of any lighting scenes by the user through the LightSIM Controls App© post occupancy whether that user is in the building or remote.
A LightSIM and Mymesh installation was recently launched and demonstrated in a lighting showroom in Central London to much interest and positive feedback.
LightSIM Controls App© in combination with Mymesh offers benefits over traditional commissioning:
The office is changing, now more than ever. It is evolving from a room to work to a space to engage. Quality of light is a key element in this and can make the atmosphere in a building. Employers recognise the value of lighting design on the productivity of their employees and becomes an integral part of their office. However, requirements change and a change of scenery can give a boost to creativity. Would it not be great if you could change the lighting design as you go and directly materialise this in your building?
Think about the many applications in offices. Companies run campaigns externally to boost brand awareness with customers, but also internally to keep all employees onboard and make them brand ambassadors. With changing scenes on a regular basis the working environment can remain attractive and dynamic. Now it is possible to visualise a design and roll it out effortlessly.
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The quality of light has an impact on health and wellbeing. More and more hospitals recognise this and use lighting design as an integral part of their architecture. The correct lighting can put patients at ease and with that make treatment more effective. However, the scenes can change with different patients, re-organising space or changing preferences. Would it not be great if you could change the lighting design as you go and directly materialise this in your building?
Think about the many applications in healthcare. Patients have favourite colours, get comfortable and relaxed at low ambient light. Alternatively, they might need to be awake for a certain procedure. It would be possible to tailor a space (treatment room, ward, etc) to the patient's desires. Furthermore, spaces might be used for different and changing purposes. Now you can define the ambience of a room and make it come to life.
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Lighting has a dramatic effect on the atmosphere in a space. That is why lighting design is so critical for the success of a project. However, different situations, different times and different people have their own ideas and requirements to what the space should ‘feel’ like. Would it not be great if you could change the lighting design as you go and directly materialise this in your building?
Think about the many applications in hospitality. A hotel guest that can change the lighting upon arrival at the desk, or even before then. For example, a business guest might have a different requirement than a couple on their honeymoon. The marketing department can define new scenes and roll it out across several locations. They may want to create a special festive atmosphere with accents of red and green in the restaurant for Christmas.
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For many years, retailers have used light to present their products and to create a shopping environment that underlines their brand. Quality of light and #lighting design are critical to the success of the shopping experience. However, the desired effect changes over time. A brand wants to use light to underline their message. Would it not be great if you could change the lighting design as you go and directly materialise this in your building?
Think about the many applications in retail. Fashion changes with the seasons, possibly darker colours in winter, and brighter colours in spring, and with that the store interior. The designer can now easily include the lighting in the design. Also, for many retail chains the corporate image is key. Now they can set the image of the store centrally and roll it out across all branches.
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Heritage sites have many uses. It can be used as a museum, for a convention or as a venue for a dinner party. The lighting requirements will be very different and continuously changing. The right lighting design adds a lot of value to the venue. Would it not be great if you could change the lighting design as you go and directly materialise this in your building?
Think about the many applications in heritage sites. Many venues have to cater for a wide audience and with these clients becoming more demanding, flexibility is key. A new theme in a museum, a themed party at night. Together with a client the right lighting elements can be trialled without occupying the space - trying a dinner party setting might not be ideal while a business convention is taking place - and implemented when required.
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The LightSIM Controls App© in combination with Mymesh can bring great benefits for many sectors, from commercial offices to heritage building sites.
Want to know more? Get in touch.
Let us know if you would be interested in experiencing the LightSIM Controls App© for your project.
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