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Lighting Control Solutions for

Smarter Spaces: 6 Ideas for
Streamlining Design and Installation

A Guide to Dealing with Changing Codes, Shortened Schedules,

Limited Labor, and Other Project Challenges

Simplify the specification and installation process on

any project—regardless of size, location, technical
requirements, or budget–with reliable, code-compliant
solutions that improve building performance and
illuminate the human experience of light.

Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces
Commercial construction
is strong–everyone agrees
that’s a good thing–but the
robust construction market is
also creating new challenges
for engineers, designers,
specifiers, and project
managers, especially if you
have opportunities that span
states and municipalities.
6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 2
Photo © Madison College
Labor markets are tight, codes vary widely, and market
newcomers offer compelling options for advanced
technologies and cost savings, but their performance
is often untested. Smart building integration, more
and more essential in today’s connected buildings,
poses a challenge when you’re dealing with competing
protocols and constantly changing customer needs.
Our new guide presents six insights and ideas for
streamlining your project timelines from design, to
simplifying project documentation, to selecting the
right lighting control solution for any project and
generally calming all those frayed nerves.
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Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces
1. Focus on Making Spaces Better for
the People in Them
Not too long ago, energy savings was paramount
in lighting control specification. Efficiency is still
important, but as lighting energy reaches all-time
lows in terms of total building energy use, the
owner’s attention turns to solutions that deliver a
more comfortable, productive space. This is widely
known as the 3/30/300 rule–organizations tend to
spend approximately $3 per square foot for energy,
$30 per square foot for rent, and $300 per square
foot for personnel. Since people are an organization’s
most valuable asset, creating a more human centric
6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 3
Photo @ Halkin | Mason Photography
environment can improve the overall building
experience to deliver higher return on investment.
Your clients will expect projects that add value by
enhancing the human experience. Rather than think
about each system in a vacuum, specify lighting control
solutions that easily integrate with HVAC, security,
and building management systems, incorporating
sensors and intuitive software that can serve as the
information hub. This allows the facilities team to
make the most of building data by understanding
how the space is used today and how it can be used
more effectively as needs change over time.
Simple, scalable, intelligent lighting control can go
beyond energy saving and scheduling to integrate
with automated shading, personalized control,
outdoor, and parking lights, blurring the lines
between a traditional workspace and a more modern
collaboration space. These are solutions that give
your customers what they want even when they aren’t
completely certain what they want.
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Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces
Photo courtesy Suncrest Bank,
Visalia, CA
Suncrest Bank
Located in Visalia, California,
Suncrest Bank recognized an
opportunity to re-energize
the small business banking in
their local community. They
used systems that simplify
design, facilitate on-demand
programming changes when
required, and elevate the
aesthetics and flexibility of
their customer areas. As a
result, Suncrest was able to
settle on a repeatable solution
that differentiates their bank
branches and resonates with
their customers. View case
study.
6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 4
2. Avoid the Temptation of One-Size-Fits-All
Don’t get lulled onto the path of least resistance with solutions that
accommodate a middle ground or reduce project cost by sacrificing
building performance. You can easily end up with too much control
in one area, or not enough control in marquee spaces.
Often, projects include multiple space types with different
performance requirements. Help your clients make the most of their
time and budget by identifying performance and code requirements
for each space.
Save money with basic code compliance in some areas and enhanced
control capabilities only where needed. These strategies can help
you manage budgets and meet code without compromising on key
performance goals. Additional strategies include:
• Utilize online guides that provide good-better-best options for
typical space types to simplify both the conversation with your
client and job specifications and drawings.
• Make a point to involve key players as early as possible in the
design process.
• Bring the facilities team into planning meetings whenever
possible.
• Consider a solution designed to scale over time.
• Ask whether app-based control will serve as a significant benefit.
It’s much easier and less risky to address these concerns up front
than try to meet expectations further down the line.
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 6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 5

Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces

3. Search out Solutions that Simplify

Code Confusion
We know how hard it is to stay educated and informed
about the latest electrical and building codes. Changes
to your state and municipal codes and frequent
updates can keep you up at night. But manufacturers
are starting to realize they can add value by helping
to simplify code compliance.

We can use examples on opposite coasts to drive this

point home. if you work on projects in Pennsylvania,
the PA Uniform Construction Code Review and
Advisory Council recently adopted the 2015 IECC as
its statewide energy code. But the city of Philadelphia
chose to enact more rigorous measures by adopting
the 2018 IECC for commercial and 2015 IECC for
residential projects. Lean on system providers to do
the heavy lifting and help you ensure code-compliant
solutions regardless of the region you’re working in.

In California, the country’s most rigorous energy

efficiency standards have saved billions since their
introduction in 1977. The latest version of Title 24,
Online guides provide good-better-best options for typical
2019 Standards and Forms becomes effective as of space types.
January 1, 2020.
By using a simple, scalable system like Vive by Lutron,
Lighting control providers are committed to contractors and facility managers can be confident
taking the guesswork out of code compliance with their installed systems will meet these needs while
comprehensive code guides, quick-look summary ensuring the flexibility and scalability that allows
sheets, and even spec typicals for common space systems to be easily updated or modified in line with
types. Link to examples. changing occupant requirements.

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 6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 6

Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces

4. To Combat a Diminished Labor Force, today’s labor market, but they aren’t too tolerant of
Take Another Look at Wireless Controls long lead times or fuzzy timelines.
Design and construction professionals in every market
are dealing with labor woes that play havoc with Now might be the perfect time to consider the
budgets, lead times, and good will. Lean budgets and advantages of wireless solutions including simpler
escalated timelines can leave you with fewer hours design, installation and integration, fewer materials,
available for design and proper research. more accurate labor estimates, and lower risk when
the project changes course. In a recent article, the
These challenges are often even more limiting for your Lighting Controls Association emphasizes that
contractors who are dealing with reductions in staff, wireless lighting controls offer all the functionality of
retirement of experienced personnel, and challenges hardwired, advanced control systems while reducing
in recruiting experienced contractors and electricians. installation and labor cost and providing the benefits
Your clients may be sympathetic to the challenges of of flexibility, material cost savings, and scalability.

Providers are also working to introduce new software

and other online tools to make design, bid, and
specification lower risk and less time consuming by
simplifying documentation, saving time and money.

5. Here Today May Not Be Here Tomorrow.

Reduce Your Risk on Every Project
Today’s lighting solutions are changing the way we
think about the built environment. “Resi-mercial”
spaces blur the lines between design for business
and design for the home. New fixtures, controls, and
software are making buildings more comfortable,
more sustainable, maybe even more fun.

Smart control apps can simplify set up and system

adjustments.

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 6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 7

Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces

Franklin & Marshall College

located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, relied
on a wireless control solution as they
renovated several buildings on the historic
college campus.

The Franklin & Marshall facilities team looked

for a solution that was easy to install with
minimal disruption to space occupants,
easy-to program, energy-efficient, and code-
compliant with timeclock and load-shed
functionality, and real-time energy savings
all within the college’s budget.

A wireless solution was absolutely critical

to the success of the project, starting with
the ability to install and setup the system
Photo © Franklin & Marshall College
in their administration building on a very
With growing opportunities come new questions about product
tight timeline. “We were able to complete
the installation and setup in a total of 4 quality and company stability. New manufacturers, mergers,
days, working from just 6-8 am,” explained counterfeits, integration issues, and a variety of other industry
Pat Henry, Franklin & Marshall Electrician. changes have to be weighed against the familiar and proven.
It worked so well, Henry trusted wireless in
their Old Main building, a historic structure
that dates back to 1856. He was able to install How will the controls integrate with other building systems, and
wireless controls in every classroom, giving how do you evaluate open vs proprietary protocols? In general,
professors control right from the podium,
one manufacturer for all communication within a lighting control
with no impact on the iconic building.
system will provide greater reliability and less finger pointing when
Having chosen a scalable solution, the campus
the customer has concerns. Look for a provider whose systems can
is able to update and extend the control
system when time and budget allow, tying
easily integrate with other buildings systems, like the BMS, using
the campus together with centralized hubs standard protocols.
that allow adjustments from smart devices
anywhere on campus. View case study.
What about scalability, longevity, and flexibility? Look for a provider
with a history of innovation and customer support. Support can be
the differentiator when technology offers similar features and benefits.

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 6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 8

Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces

Will the low-cost alternative be the right alternative and a highly competitive commercial real estate
in the long run? Trusted system providers will be able landscape are the factors that are changing project
to address all your concerns about manufacturing expectations. Your clients are asking more from you.
and testing, cite installations with a long history of You can ask for more from your system providers.
continuously reliable operation, and demonstrate
their commitment to continued innovation. Providers are increasingly developing tools and
resources to help reduce risk and meet project bids,
6. Finally, Be a Little Selfish. Look for making systems easier to design, install, and even
Solutions That Help Create Customers adjust over time. Free, online programs like QuEst-D
for Life from Lutron not only help you get customers the
Compressed project deadlines, higher expectations, information they need more quickly but ensure that
new technologies, changing codes, green building you can compare product solutions to make final
requirements, more educated building occupants, decisions easier.

Estimating and design software can prove invaluable

for meeting project timelines.
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 6 Ideas for Streamlining Project Design 9

Lighting Control Solutions for Smarter Spaces

Photo © Eric Laignel of Perkins and Will

Conclusion
Smart lighting control solutions can add value to building projects, improve the human experience of a
space, and make the most of the project owner’s investment. Beyond that, when you can more effectively
provide your clients with simple, scalable, wireless solutions, you can speed installation time, reduce risk,
and maintain profitability on every job.

There is a 7th tip, and it might be the most important. Look for a manufacturer who supports you and your
clients 24/7, has a proven history of innovation and reliability, and is committed to taking care of the customer
long after the initial installation.

Want more information?

Learn more about simple, scalable, code compliant Vive wireless solutions from Lutron.

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