Reviewed 13 October 2026.
Lighting technology changes, but a useful design still begins with the space, its activities, and the people using it. Here are practical questions to bring to a lighting brief.
Controls that match daily use
Consider which scenes people need, how they will select them, and whether a simple switch, dimmer, or more connected system is appropriate. A feature is useful only when it makes the space easier to use.
Wired and wireless systems
DALI provides a standardized approach to digital lighting control. DALI-2 and D4i certification can help when selecting components. Casambi offers a Bluetooth Low Energy-based platform. These are different approaches with project-specific requirements; neither is automatically the right choice for every space.
Check the DALI Alliance’s documentation and certified products and Casambi’s platform documentation for the equipment you intend to use.
Adjustable white light
When a design calls for adjustable colour temperature, decide why it is needed, when it changes, and how users can override it. Sample the light with the actual finishes and daylight conditions. Colour temperature alone is not evidence of a health benefit.
Energy claims need a baseline
Ask what a claimed saving is being compared with, how it was measured, and whether operating hours and control settings match your project. A percentage from one installation should not be treated as a guaranteed result elsewhere.
AI: ask what it actually does
If a supplier describes a system as AI-powered, ask which decisions it makes, what data it collects, and what happens if the network or sensors fail. Request documented examples and make privacy, manual override, and maintenance part of the brief.
A short specification checklist
- Activities, viewing positions, and desired scenes.
- Glare, beam distribution, and colour quality.
- Compatibility between fixtures, drivers, and controls.
- Commissioning, manual override, and maintenance.
- Evidence for performance and savings claims.
Start with ambient, task, and accent lighting, explore primary technology resources, or share a design question.
