ᐅ New Construction Lighting Design and Implementation

We have a single work light with a significantly higher Kelvin temperature. I would say it helps you stay alert longer and allows for extended work periods compared to warmer light. When I come home at night and this light is on, the window just looks awful.

In our old house, we had a kind of “tango lighting” for the homeowner, who always needed some time in the morning to wake up slowly with a hot drink. With bright task lighting, he would probably dissolve into smoke. The light there was unusually warm-toned with modest lumen output. The homeowner was especially satisfied sitting there.

Personally, I expect a good lighting designer to respond to such specific needs rather than imposing their own design preferences. Should all lighting requirements be treated the same purely from a design perspective?

Best regards,
Gabriele

Choosing a single light color throughout might not be wrong, but it seems odd not to adapt the lighting to its specific purpose, especially if you are planning it intentionally.
Therefore, I don’t find the idea of having different colors for different functions unreasonable. Using them simultaneously would probably be strange.

11ant schrieb:
... or keep bothering the designer until they understand why standards exist: for modularity, such as the separability of socket and bulb, for example.

Integrated LEDs allow lamp designs that were previously unimaginable.
The principle of "form follows function" has been discarded.

@Hotzenplotz.

I mean light bulbs that can adjust their color temperature (usually LED).

I find 2700 K (2,700K) comfortable. But clearly, as task lighting in the kitchen, it’s borderline and depending on the kitchen design, it might not be suitable. So, for example, plan everything with 2700 K (2,700K) now, but keep the option open to make the kitchen lighting adjustable. Nowadays, there should be plenty of light bulb options like Philips Hue or similar, right?

@jansens

So, are there light bulbs that allow you to change their color temperature? Besides the dimmer actuator, do you need an additional actuator to switch the color temperature, or how is this technically implemented? I think this is very useful for the office and the living and dining areas. For the other rooms, I believe it is sufficient to choose just one color.

I have put together a suggestion:

Garage:
5300 Kelvin

Outdoor area:
4000 Kelvin

Hallways & cloakroom:
Recessed lights: 3500 Kelvin
Stair lights: 3500 Kelvin
Wall light: 2700 Kelvin

Office:
3500 Kelvin

Kitchen:
Recessed lights: 3500 Kelvin
Pendant lights: 2700 Kelvin
Wall light: 2700 Kelvin

Living and dining room:
2700 Kelvin

Children’s rooms:
2700 Kelvin

Bathrooms:
3500 Kelvin

Dressing room:
3500 Kelvin

Bedroom:
2700 Kelvin

I’m unsure about the hallway... for kitchens, some specialized websites even recommend more than 3500 Kelvin. But I’m hesitant to go as high as 4000 or above.

I find it striking how much opinions differ—not just minor variations but by a long way. One person wants to plan the entire house at 2700 Kelvin, while another says bathrooms and kitchens below 4000 Kelvin are out of the question...

Well, tastes simply vary. Much also depends on the situation. Sometimes in the same room, 2700 by 3500 millimeters (106 by 138 inches) is appropriate, depending on its current use.