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The LED revolution, with its promise of energy savings and affordability, may have unintentionally dimmed the focus on truly effective lighting. Blanket illumination and light spill, once dismissed as "cheap LED consequences," are no longer sustainable in the face of climate urgency and rising energy costs. A new paradigm is needed: Forget Brightness, Think Effectiveness with Strategic Illumination.

Forget uniform brightness! Prioritise illumination effectiveness (lux/watt) over fixture efficiency (lumens/watt). Imagine precise, glare-free task lighting illuminating desks and countertops, while bathed in the soft glow of lit walls instead of just the floor. This human-centric approach directs light where it's needed for action and visual comfort, leaving unnecessary areas dimmer for visual hierarchy. 

Figure 1: IKU wallwashers bathe the room's perimeter in light, accentuating architectural details and offering general illumination. Meanwhile, Jilly track downlights deliver adaptable task lighting.
VicRoads Ringwood Office, Melbourne, 2022. Specifier: ADP Consulting. CP: Buckford Illlumination. Photographer: Jackie CHAN.

Remember, energy is precious. Lighting planners must become strategists, deciding where not to illuminate for maximum savings. This can significantly reduce power demand, as light goes only where it serves a purpose.

However, dimming the unnecessary doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. ERCO Lighting elevates the experience with perception-oriented lighting, focusing on visual well-being. The key? It’s shifting from illuminating floors to walls. Walls occupy most of the field of view, so illuminating them makes spaces feel much brighter, even with less overall light. Think about it: 100lx on the wall feels three to five times brighter than on the floor!

 

 

Figure 2: IKU wallwashers illuminate the bookshelves crafted to feature 20,000+ books of the architect’s collection, transforming it from storage to an impressive display. Above each workstation, strategically placed IKU downlights with oval flood beams reduces the number of luminaires needed while providing ample light with good glare control for focused work.
Lovell Chen, Melbourne, 2022. Architects: Lovell Chen Architects. Channel Partners: Buckford Illumination. Photographer: Jackie CHAN.

 

Historically, walls were neglected, but the new European standard EN 12464-1 acknowledges their importance. Imagine an office: light directed to desks (20% of the space) saves half the energy compared to uniform lighting, while creating a brighter, more comfortable environment.

Traditional spotlights waste light, spreading it beyond the beam and losing efficiency through reflection. ERCO spotlights, with their precise lenses and high-powered chips, offer a solution. While their technical data may show lower lm/W, they deliver 20% more light to the target, maximising effectiveness and saving energy. Focusing on lx/W, not just lm/W, is key.

Finally, eliminate glare. Glare reduces visual contrast, requiring more light. Remember, glare is wasted light.

This approach might seem radical, but with the climate crisis and rising costs, it's essential. Let's move beyond "bright" and embrace effective, sustainable lighting that prioritises human perception and comfort. This is not just lighting reimagined, it's the future of responsible illumination.