Photometrics lighting is not a style of lighting design, it’s the study of light and how light emanates from a lighting fixture into the environment. A good lighting designer will design the project using photometric maps and diagrams. Photometric calculations are the only method that is precise and detailed enough to ensure a functional lighting design.

Decisions Based on Numbers

As humans, we perceive lighting daily without even thinking about it. It may feel like lighting designers base their decisions on feeling, however, reputable, experienced companies will rely on more than just feelings. Photometrics data provides reliable information that helps make objective decisions regarding the lighting fixtures’ specifications, location, and quantities.

Photometrics in Residential Projects

Large commercial spaces utilize lighting photometrics to ensure the area has enough lighting for business purposes. Residential projects are different and customized to meet family needs for lighting while performing daily tasks.

While your interior designer will take care of the aesthetic of the interior design, the lighting designer, by utilizing photometrics, will help to highlight the features of your interior design and select proper lighting for the space. Let’s say you have a beautiful architectural wall in your living room. You already spent a lot of money to create “the wow effect,” but I assure you that without proper illumination, there is no wow effect.

Photometrics can be presented as a number shown on the floor plan or colors that will illustrate the illumination level of the space. But beyond that, lighting designers can create a 3D projection showing how the light will interact within the area. A few options can be checked before the lighting fixtures arrive at the job site. Ultimately, you want to ensure you invested in the best possible option for your space.

Reasons to Have Photometric Plans for your Project

• Proper light intensity is an essential factor in your health
  
  I’ve said it many times, and I will keep repeating it. Some of the most common health problems are related to insufficient light. Photometrics will helps your lighting designer make the right decision on the lighting that will benefit your health. And as we know, health is priceless.
  
• Elimination of glare and dark spots (shadowing)
  
  Glare is usually caused by too much light in the area, while shadowing occurs when there is insufficient lighting. Photometric calculation helps to “catch” those places and eliminate the problem at the design stage.
  
• Making the most of your investment
  
  As a property owner, you want to ensure that your money is well invested. Photometric calculations aim to meet the project criteria with the most efficient lighting layout.
  
• Making the most sustainable decisions
  
  Thanks to engineering calculations, the lighting designer is able to plan the best lighting for your property and ensure the decisions are friendly to the environment. You don’t want to buy too many of the wrong lights and end up with a high purchase cost and higher electricity bills.

What Do the Results of a Photometric Study Look Like?

The photometric report can vary from 1-20 pages depending on the package ordered. Essential photometric will include:

• Map of the property with numbers showcasing the lighting calculation
• Map of the property with colors
• Lighting schedule
• Lighting counts

More advanced options will have:

• Graphical images
• 3D rendering of the space
• Lighting projection renders
• List of foot candles at various location points on the ground

A good lighting designer will create photometers with the lighting specification’s fundaments. Regarding high-end projects, premium lighting is efficient but also expensive. When investing more than $50k in lighting, you want to ensure you invested your money well. If someone is creating a lighting design based on the feeling of the space, it’s like playing the lottery. You never know what the outcome will be. We live in times when decisions can be made based on the data, so why not use technology in this case?

Patrycja Glod

Lighting Design Engineer