Design Challenge Toolkit: Lighting

Interior and Living Areas

Lighting

Increasing natural lighting in a home is one of the most beneficial quality-of-life improvements. Natural light has positive effects on human focus, mood, energy levels, circadian rhythms, eyesight and more. While incorporating ample natural light, avoid any design that reduces privacy and increases heat and glare from Western exposure. For artificial light, using LED fixtures reduces energy requirements, eliminates frequent bulb changes and provides a more natural lighting spectrum. For a small cost premium, smart LED bulbs connect to a hub over Wi-Fi and can be controlled through an app interface providing many options. Try to create varied lighting within the home. Indirect light reflected along a wall can create a soft, calming glow, while focused downlighting is best for task spaces such as home offices, tool benches and kitchen counters.

Cost
$ $$$

Difficulty
Low

Installing window coverings, new dimmer switches and changing out to LED bulbs are achievable for most homeowners or certainly by a good handyman.

How-to tip

Install window coverings to control interior temperatures and natural light levels. Adding dimmer switches allows adjustable levels of interior illumination and reduces energy costs.

Principles Low Physical Effort The design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue. Perceptible Information The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.

Analytics Affordability Home features that can’t be afforded might as well not exist. And home features that require infrequent replacement and low maintenance over time save a family’s energy and money. Renovation costs of these homes can be far lower than standard homes due to minimized construction over time. Sustainability This is often considered environmental ecology or the preservations and enhancement of the natural world as much as possible. Universal design provides a matching set of values: social ecology, which allows the full integration of al individuals with family and community life. A sustainable approach uses less building materials and less waste because of a diminished amount of removed and demolished sections of the home. Projects also enhance sustainability because potential renovations are eliminated or reduced such as by adding or subtracting interior wall panels and modules instead of needing major rebuilding and renovations.

Home Today, Home Tomorrow Universal Design Toolkit For Home Owners For Architects and Builders

Lighting

How-to tip