So, we always thought lighting was just sticking spotlights here and there with a few feature lights and then that’s it. Job Done !

As we thought about it more and read articles online what the current best practices are, we were concerned that we’d overwhelm the meadow, front and the garden with too much lighting that will impact the fauna that hunt or feed in there at night. We’re particularly concerned about the Barn Owls that hunt in the meadow during the summer months.

A few things we learnt, don’t just default to using spotlights everywhere. Consideration needs to be given to things like;

• How each room will be used? For example, our living space is essentially a kitchen diner with zonal use. We also intend to spend a lot of time working around the kitchen island given the excellent natural light coming in from the South East facing rear. So no need for a study.
• We want to put in a statement island in the kitchen, statement helical staircase, bookshelves and the dining area for entertainment. Therefore, those architectural features need to be highlighted with sensitivity to how we light them. Using Accent or Mood Lighting: This is used to highlight them or their architectural features to draw attention to, such as the flint wall, helical stairs, bookshelves, the feature island, cabinets or sculptures. Directional spots on tracks, low-level chandeliers and recessed and hidden LED strips are all good examples for our purpose.
• Who will be using each room and for what purpose? It is interesting to note that older folks will (not name names😊) generally needs 15 times more light than a ten-year-old. I’m short sighted anyway so there you go!
• At what time of the day will each room be used the most? For example, we’ll most likely use the kitchen/diner and the snug room in the evening for relaxing, therefore, the ability to set lights on a dimmers is important.
• Where does natural light enter each room and from what direction, orientation relative to fixtures, furnitures and sources of natural light? We’ve already got a view of that from the work done by Max Fordham on the Building Engineering.
• What sort of smart lighting and home automation we use and how can we integrate these into the design. We’re an Alexa and Apple Homekit family so that was straight forward. We did specify that we’re keen on solutions that are App Based and not closed systems. A few of our friends have had the experience of buying solutions that become obsolete after a few years due to proprietary hardware and software.
• How sustainable is the lighting and its impact on climate change and ultimately energy use? That was a pretty straight forward one as we’re intending to use LED lighting in most cases.
• On that basis, Installing low-energy light sources in new build homes is now a must and building regulations state that 75 per cent of the lights in a new home must be ‘energy efficient’. This means that light fittings must produce a total of at least 400 lumens, have a minimum efficacy of 45 lumens per watt and be over 5 circuit watts. Fittings under 5 watts are excluded from the overall count, so too is any exterior lighting. Fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), LEDs or discharge lamps would conform to this, whilst fitting low-energy bulbs with bayonet or screw-cap bases do not.

Our architect, Rob Jackson recommended we engaged Michael Grubb Studios based in Bournemouth in October 2018. We specifically asked them to give us direction on both the interior and exterior lighting for the property.

Specifically, we wanted to get a feel for the right lighting for the external facade, lighting to support our chosen architecture style and the amenities we’re deploying. Also, we wanted to know what the right lighting is to complement key features of our build. In other words, decorative lighting and feature lighting.

We sat down with the Michael Grubb team including Matt Waugh and Michael Grubb. In our first session we spent a couple of hours briefing Michael and Matt, how we used our current space and what things we liked and disliked. At the same time, we reviewed the submitted building plan for them to get a feel for how we’d use the space. On the back of that Brief, they produced a Concept Lighting Document effectively the mood board attached below.

Overaching Lighting Principles

The document as a first pass was spot on. This is lifted from the concept lighting document provided by Michael Grubb studios.

Colour Temperature
Colour temperature describes the coolness or warmth of light. The lower the number in degrees Kelvin (K), the warmer the appearance of the light. For example, 1800K light has a warm appearance, similar to candlelight, while 5000K light is cold.
Across the Residence colour temperatures will vary from 1800k-3000K. Colour temperatures will be integrated according to the application and purpose of use. 2700K-3000K will be used in Architectural and Amenity lighting applications. Exterior Lighting will range from 2500-2700K. Decorative Lighting will range from 1800K-2500K.

CRI

All Interior and Exterior Architectural and Amenity Lighting is to be of above CRI90. This will provide each illuminated surface or item with the optimum level of visual impact and will ensure all colours and tones are rendered correctly.

Beam Angles

A range of beam angles are to be used to ensure all areas of the Residence and items are lit appropriately. Special attention should be paid to guarantee the correct Luminaires and Beam Angles are installed as designed, to achieve the desired and optimum lit result.

Glare Control

All efforts should be made to minimise Glare. Attention should be paid where Light Spill or Glare could have a detrimental effect on Interior and Exterior Spaces.

Lighting will be carefully focused once installed, lockable luminaires will be used where possible, to ensure that they are not accidentally refocused during servicing and maintenance.

Provision should be made for Louvers, Cowls, Snoots, and other accessories that control Light Spill and reduce Glare to avoid unsightly views.

Luminaires & Lamp Sources

Consideration must be given to the types of lighting equipment selected as well as mounting locations, materials, the longevity of finishes and the types of light sources utilised.

Lighting equipment should be as discreet as possible unless decorative. Where possible all lighting equipment will be hidden from view, where this is not possible, all lighting will be detailed in such a way that it complements its immediate environment.

This Lighting scheme will utilise long life, efficient LED light sources and Drivers to minimise long term maintenance and energy costs. In all cases the aim is to provide suitable lighting, ensure ease of adaptation, limit excessive contrast and avoid potential problems of Over-lighting and Glare.

Dimming Capabilities & Protocol

All luminaires are to be controlled via DALI Protocol Drivers and Lighting Control Systems. All luminaires must dim smoothly to 0%, and must be capable of static illumination below 50 Lux.

DALI Dimmable Drivers are to be use throughout the house, to ensure Flicker is avoided. All luminaires must be tested for compatibility with the proposed DALI Dimmable Drivers to ensure smooth dimming and no Flicker is created.

Way-Finding

Lighting to Interior Spaces, Exterior Architectural & Landscape features will enable people to form a ‘Mental Map’ of the Residence, and inform the way in which they move, experience and remember it.

We were very pleased with the concept document produced by the Michael Grubb team. From that point we moved into detailed design and planning proposal for each room and the external space. We were also fortunate to have my brother in-law James Hyson review the lighting proposal document. He was generally happy with it and gave us some constructive feedback and pointers to where we could obtain discounts.