Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Feb 11, 2015 1:35 am Hi all I've gone over the top again. This time with our lighting design. I'm a bit scared to get a quote, but I figure it's something worth doing right. Feedback welcome. I've tried to go with the concept in most cases of lighting the walls, not the floor. To save a few dollars, I'm considering installing the downlights ourselves (and having the electrician install powerpoints to plug them in to). How tricky are they to install? Note, the electrical plan underneath in black is what the builder has done for us (I now regret not getting conduits put in all the internal walls!). My New Home Build with Dale Alcock - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66662 Landscape Design Thread - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=71784 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 2Feb 12, 2015 10:27 am Hi, If you're interested here is a link to a great guide on lighting design. It's produced by ERCO, which is probably the most renowned architectural lighting manufacturer in the world. An ERCO downlight costs upwards of $300 each for example, so I don't think you'll be putting them through your house - but the principles of lighting that they teach can be adapted to suit. http://www.erco.com/cdn/downloaddata/20 ... actory.pdf As for specific advice about the layout you have done, my first comment would be (politely of course) that I think you have far too many downlights. I'd say you could probably get rid of at least half of the blue downlights, maybe even more than half. I would perhaps go with a few more of the red adjustable downlights, and use them as wide beam wall washers. Instead of a "grid" of downlights in your living area, might I suggest narrow-beam adjustable downlights over where your lounge/s are going to be, so you can aim them to the sitting area (for reading etc). When selecting downlights and wall washing lights, select something with very low glare, so you can't actually see the bright light source. Shine them towards the walls, and you'll maximise the feeling of space in the room, and it will provide comfortable ambient glow in the room. Also, you could have some power points switched at the light switch for your floor lamps, so you don't need to go over to the lamp to turn it on. This could mean you can get rid of even more fixed lighting. In residential or foyer type lighting I strive for a "less is more" approach. It doesn't need to be lit up like an office (quantitative lighting), it just needs to be lit up in key areas in thoughtful ways (qualitative lighting). Good luck. Great to see someone putting some genuine thought into lighting their home. Good lighting makes such a huge difference. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 3Feb 12, 2015 1:02 pm I don't know which state you are in but in NSW they make you adhere to the BCA rules for lighting as part of the BASIX requirements. BCA Guidelines for the max amount in watts per sq m http://www.build.com.au/bca-lighting-restrictions which is basically 5 watts per square metre (5W/sqm) of lighting indoors 4 watts per square metre (4W/sqm) of lighting in outdoor areas (including verandahs) 3 watts per square metre (3W/sqm) of lighting in garages Your place looks like it would be way over as per 1960sMH suggests above. Stewie Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 4Feb 12, 2015 2:57 pm It's probably not that much over (if any) assuming the OP is using LED's. Some quick sums: floor area 250m2 x 5w/m2 = 1250 watts total. average domestic LED downlight is about 10 watts, therefore 100-125 fittings.... Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 5Feb 12, 2015 7:13 pm Thanks heaps for the great feedback. The download is an awesome read. I'll start studying and post back my revised plan. I was planning on mostly leds...but I'd like high cri leds and that starts to get very expensive! My New Home Build with Dale Alcock - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66662 Landscape Design Thread - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=71784 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 6Feb 12, 2015 7:57 pm Anything with a CRI over 80 is pretty good. The thing is making sure that you buy good quality ones, because colour shift over time is a huge problem with cheaper LEDs. They might start at 3000k CRI80, but shortly after the colour shifts due to degradation of the polymers that coat the LED chip. I recommend only buying LED downlights that have a "Lighting Council of Australia" label on them. That will tell you most of the vital stats. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 7Feb 12, 2015 8:26 pm These Philips units are fantastic value. I think they are like $25-30 which is similar to cheap no-name Chinese pricing. They'd be good for general lighting but are not tilt adjustable or anything. http://www.lighting.philips.com.au/conn ... mmable.wpd For your wall washing you might be better off with something like this. They are recessed lengths of aluminium profile (sold per metre) and fitted with LED strip that gives an excellent even glow on the walls with no glare whatsoever. Mounted on the ceiling about 500mm from the wall. It is a fabulous effect. http://www.domuslighting.com.au/catalog ... -ev-ext211 Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 8Feb 13, 2015 1:28 am I'm a bit stuck on how I can remove some of the downlights. I was thinking that all of the blue downlights would have a gimble fitting (so be slightly directional), and the red ones would be much more directional (i.e. snorkel led or a spotlight led) to light up specific artwork. I'd prefer to have a clean looking ceiling. I'm also confused about whether to use 'wall washing' for the walls in the main living area, or more directional spotlights (to lightup artwork on the walls). I guess if I use a wall washing technique, I could get more light into the room and remove the central downlights? Over the dining, I'd like more light for when we play cards/do homework etc. I don't know how else I could achieve that without adding downlights. I could perhaps wall wash the wall where the doors are, but they're glass, so I don't think that would work that well. I could also add a lamp on the small wall next to the doors. In the lounge area (to the right of the dining), I'd like enough light to read on the couch, do lego on the rug and fiddle with the stereo...thus the downlights I've put in there. If I start putting in directional spotlights, won't there be a lot of shadow? I did consider putting a powerpoint under the timber floor so I can put a lamp in there, but I was worried it could look ugly if we decide to relocate furniture. I guess I could put a couple of pendent lights hung low down, but I don't know yet what couch we're getting. I am tempted to leave them out altogether and get an electrician back later if it's too dark. The big room to the right of the stairs is a sewing/study...I want that lit up brightly. I'm unsure yet on the configuration of the desks in there and it's likely that will change over time. I could probably reduce the number and get brighter leds, but won't I have a shadow effect in parts of the room? The laundry - again brightly lit-up (2 downlights over each bench, and 2 directed towards cupboards) The hall next to the laundry could be wall washed - but I'd still need task lighting for the linen press. The master bedroom, I was aiming for a wall washed affect (I'll change the colour of those) The hallway leading to the minor bedrooms...I would like to wall wash this, wouldn't I need a couple pointed on both sides of the wall (I'm adding lights now, not taking them away)! The minor bedrooms...I was in a bit of a dilemma about these. I'm mainly in there 'doing stuff' or otherwise reading bedtime stories. So I've lit the whole space up with downlights (for packing bags, folding clothes etc.) and have the lamps for reading. I did consider a wall wash affect, but I was worried the room wouldn't be bright enough for the task based activities (or I'd need to add more lights for it to be effective). I was aiming for a wall wash effect in the bathrooms - so those lights should probably be red. My OH thinks I have too many flouros in the garage...but I hate not being able to see properly around the cars. Have I gone overboard in there? Back to the drawing board another night I think...bed time now. Thanks again everyone for your help. I really love good lighting. My New Home Build with Dale Alcock - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66662 Landscape Design Thread - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=71784 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 9Feb 13, 2015 7:50 am With all your lights too, if you have them switched in banks, you don't need to have the whole lot come on with one switch - your garage is one area that would benefit from this although the extra cost of cabling and switches to do this would probably negate any electricity savings. As 1960sMH says if you are selective in your lighting without going for high wattage bulbs then you will probably be under the BCA limits. I've been to some homes that have every light on and you could probably see their house from the moon - just way too many lights. Stewie Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 10Feb 15, 2015 6:44 pm You'd be surprised at how few lights you actually need in residential lighting. Our house is very open plan so it's hard to relate to yours, but in our living/dining area (which is about 6m x 9m) I have a 6 metre long curtain pelmet with LED strip lighting, a pendant over the dining table, four 15 watt LED wall washers, two 15W LED downlights over the couch, a large pendant in a high ceiling section over the lounge. 99% of the time, we only use the four wallwashers. It provides ample light for the whole area. In fact, we have floor to celiing glass in our front entry (our foyer and front entry is off the living area) with a private little garden. I have some LED spot lights in the garden that shine up onto the plants, and the reflected light from this is enough for watching TV etc. It comes down to what you plan on doing in there I guess, but unless you're doing open heart surgery, I wouldn't go too overboard with quantity of lights. Try and keep your ceiling as clean as you can I reckon! And for the love of all things good and pure, don't go with brushed chrome downlights!!! Arrgghhh they are horrid! Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 11Feb 17, 2015 12:57 am Thanks again for the feedback. This is take two. My OH and I can't agree how the master bedroom should be lit. I've taken out quite a lot of the downlights and figure we can get the electrician back to add more if we think it's too dark. ModernistHome do you have any pictures of how the led with the alum profile wall wash would look like? My New Home Build with Dale Alcock - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66662 Landscape Design Thread - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=71784 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 12Feb 17, 2015 7:56 am This photo is not of that actual luminaire, the one I linked to is much smaller in size, but the effect is similar Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Your new layout looks pretty good to me. Might I suggest re-arranging the bedroom downlights so there is at least one in front of the wardrobes. Probably don't need them over the bed head, you could use bedside table lamps for reading. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 13Mar 04, 2015 11:20 pm I'm currently looking at lighting products and it's quite overwhelming. I'm wondering if I should get a snorkel/scoop style downlight for where I want light focused on artwork, or a standard gimble would be okay. I'm currently looking at the brightgreen and wattsaver downlights due to their high CRI. However, I came across this Domus 'scoop' light and thought that may be better for the open plan living area where the downlights will be focused on artwork (although it does have a lower CRI). Also, considering my lighting plan, what wattage of downlights would people recommend for the downlights in the open plan living area (they will be pointed at artwork)? Regarding the lighting over the beds...I'm anticipating hanging art above the bed and have the light pointed at that. When we're in bed, only the lamps will be on...we never have overhead lights on when in bed so I think it will be okay. I'm a bit too conservative/scared to put a strip light in the ceiling. My New Home Build with Dale Alcock - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=66662 Landscape Design Thread - https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=71784 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 14Mar 05, 2015 5:59 am For the most part, residential downlights would be in the range of 500-800 lumens. Depending on efficacy that would make them around 8-12 watts, give or take. I think that Domus Scoop looks good! Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 15Mar 09, 2015 8:54 am 1960sModernistHome This photo is not of that actual luminaire, the one I linked to is much smaller in size, but the effect is similar Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Your new layout looks pretty good to me. Might I suggest re-arranging the bedroom downlights so there is at least one in front of the wardrobes. Probably don't need them over the bed head, you could use bedside table lamps for reading. I am guessing this type of light will only work in one direction of most homes, running parallel with the floor joists or roof trusses? Running the opposit way will mean obstructions from joists / trusses if they are a flush fit? Cheers, Paul (& Lisa) Parkhill 36 by ClarendonHomes in Coomera Retreat H1 Build Thread And Blog Building Blogs List - Go Ahead And Add Yours!! Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 16Mar 09, 2015 11:39 am The Domus one I sent you is only 26mm deep, so assuming your builder is using metal ceiling battens (which is pretty standard I think), the battens are about 22mm and the plasterboard is about 10mm, which gives you 32mm recess before it fouls any structure. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 17Apr 01, 2015 7:57 am Great Feedback from everybody. Sounds like you have a lot of information, and I agree with most of it. I've noticed that you have positioned the lights randomly around the house. Although this is totally up to you, I do have to say that certain areas will be dark, and you may regret this at a later stage. Lighting should be uniform, and spread evenly across the ceiling, to not only provide lighting where you need it, but to also keep the ceiling looking neat and and clean. The Domus lights you have picked out are actually a fantastic light, with high cree values and excellent in home warranty of 3 years, so there will definitely be no problem there. I hope this info has helped Kind Regards, Kristin Lighting Expert Phone -1300 798 220 Email - service@golights.com.au Website - http://www.golights.com.au Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 18Apr 01, 2015 1:21 pm I tend to somewhat disagree, but not completely. If it were an office or a school classroom, or even a domestic kitchen I would agree 100% - uniform lighting is the way to go. However, for living spaces, circulation spaces etc where task lighting over the whole area is not really required, I believe qualitative lighting is the best way. Focusing brighter light on areas where it is required, such as paintings, architectural features, task areas etc, and using indirect ambient glow for some more general lighting. In most cases the reflected light off walls and ceilings from wall washers or indirect wall lights is enough uniform illuminance so you can see what you're doing. All you do most of the time in a living room is sit down and watch TV or something - you don't need much light for that. The big thing for me is uniform vertical illuminance (i.e. lighting up the walls). It makes the space feel bigger and more inviting I believe - rather than having a grid of downlights on the ceiling. Takes a bit more planning with respect to furniture layouts, artwork layouts, architectural features etc, but is worth it in my opinion. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Re: Feedback on new home lighting design 20Apr 03, 2015 9:12 am I could, but I suspect my fees might be a bit much. Because we are professional engineers who work mostly in large projects we charge $220/hr and it's probably half a day's work including researching and selecting light fittings. I think your best bet is probably to find a good lighting supplier who would help you design and then do a package up. If you did that I would be happy to have a look at it and comment on it for you - no charge. If you're in SE Qld I can recommend a few good, honest lighting suppliers who I trust. Building Services Engineer Renovating our 1960's modernist home in Brisbane https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=82091 Hi Brainstrust, I had a go at creating my own irrigation plan, keen to get some feedback. It will be run from one 750-800W pump, off 2* 5000L rain tanks. Each zone… 0 21910 6 55311 My home office is hot with computer equipment running virtually 18 hours a day. When it gets unbearably warm I simply step out of my door into the living area which is… 0 5114 |