Lighting (G07)
Lighting transforms spaces functionally and aesthetically – but proper design balances task lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting, and energy efficiency.
This BidScope guides you through lighting applications: interior residential (kitchens, bathrooms, living spaces, bedrooms), exterior architectural (uplighting, downlighting, wall washing), landscape lighting (path lights, uplighting trees, accent features), and commercial (offices, retail, hospitality).
Learn lighting design principles: layered lighting (task + ambient + accent for depth), light levels by room function (kitchens 50-75 footcandles, living rooms 10-20 footcandles), color temperature (2700K warm for residential, 3000K neutral, 4000K+ cool for commercial), CRI color rendering index (90+ for accurate colors in critical applications).
Understand fixture types: recessed cans for clean look, track lighting for flexibility, pendants for task and style, chandeliers for statement, under-cabinet for kitchens, wall sconces for ambiance.
Master LED technology: energy savings versus incandescent (75-80% less energy), lifespan (25,000-50,000 hours versus 1,000), dimming compatibility (not all LEDs dim smoothly), color consistency.
Navigate control systems: dimmers for ambiance and energy savings, occupancy sensors for automatic on/off, daylight sensors to reduce artificial light, smart controls for scenes and scheduling.
Learn exterior and landscape lighting: low voltage systems (12V or 24V safer, easier install), LED for efficiency and color options, transformers sized for total load, zoning for control, photocells or timers for automatic operation.
Understand code requirements: minimum lighting levels by room type, switched control locations, outdoor lighting near entries, emergency and exit lighting for commercial.
Master kitchen lighting: task lighting over counters (under-cabinet or pendant), ambient lighting (recessed), accent lighting (toe-kick, above-cabinet), proper light levels for food prep.
Calculate lighting power density for energy code compliance.
Budget by application: basic residential $2,000-6,000, landscape lighting $3,000-10,000+, commercial design and install $8-15+ per square foot.
This tool ensures your lighting design is functional, beautiful, and energy-efficient.
What’s Included:
- Lighting applications (interior residential, exterior architectural, landscape, commercial)
- Interior residential lighting (kitchens, bathrooms, living, bedrooms)
- Exterior architectural lighting (uplighting, downlighting, wall washing, accent)
- Landscape lighting (path lights, tree uplighting, water features, hardscape)
- Commercial lighting (offices, retail, hospitality, task-specific)
- Lighting design principles (layered lighting, task + ambient + accent)
- Light levels by function (footcandles: kitchens 50-75, living 10-20, offices 30-50)
- Color temperature (Kelvin: 2700K warm, 3000K neutral, 4000K cool, 5000K+ daylight)
- CRI color rendering index (90+ for accurate color in kitchens, retail, art)
- Fixture types (recessed, track, pendant, chandelier, sconce, under-cabinet)
- Recessed cans (clean ceiling, IC vs non-IC rated)
- Track lighting (flexibility, accent, retail)
- Pendant lights (task and style over islands, tables)
- Chandeliers (statement pieces, dining, entry)
- Under-cabinet lighting (kitchen task, LED strip or pucks)
- Wall sconces (ambient, flanking mirrors, hallways)
- LED technology (energy savings, lifespan, dimming, color)
- LED vs incandescent energy (75-80% savings)
- LED lifespan (25,000-50,000 hours vs 1,000 incandescent)
- Dimmable LED considerations (driver compatibility)
- LED color consistency (binning, quality control)
- Control systems (dimmers, sensors, smart controls)
- Dimmer switches (compatibility with LED crucial)
- Occupancy sensors (automatic on/off, energy savings)
- Daylight sensors (reduce artificial when natural available)
- Smart lighting controls (scenes, scheduling, voice)
- Exterior and landscape lighting systems
- Low voltage lighting (12V or 24V, safer, easier)
- LED for landscape (efficiency, color options, cool operation)
- Transformers sizing for total wattage load
- Zoning for independent control
- Photocells and timers (automatic dusk-to-dawn)
- Path lighting and safety
- Uplighting trees and architecture
- Water feature lighting
- Code requirements (minimum levels, switched control, outdoor entry)
- Kitchen lighting design (task, ambient, accent layers)
- Bathroom lighting (vanity, shower, ambient)
- Lighting power density (watts per sq ft, energy code)
- Commercial lighting design (task, open office, retail displays)
- Emergency and exit lighting (commercial requirement)
- Cost factors ($2,000-6,000 residential, $3,000-10,000+ landscape, $8-15/sf commercial)
- Finding lighting designers
- Photometric analysis
- Energy efficiency and controls
