Contractual Arrangements
Determine the overall work process and schedule. Through which project phases are the lighting designer’s service retained–construction documents, bidding and negotiation, construction administration, post construction?
How will the lighting designer be compensated? Does the lighting designer carry their own professional liability insurance? Once a lighting designer is hired, it is helpful for both the architect and lighting designer as well as all the team members to understand the lighting designer’s role and scope of work in each of the design phases. The design process itself is traditionally broken down into the following categories: Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Negotiation, Contract Administration, and sometimes Post-Construction. The extent of a lighting designer’s involvement in these phases will be determined by the project circumstances, and the contractual work arrangement as established with the architect.
Roles and Responsibilities
Programming Phase
Ideally a lighting designer is involved in this first project phase, although it is not always the case. This is the period when initial concepts and program requirements are determined by the architect and owner to establish the project direction and goals. The architect assembles the project team to interpret and realize the architectural design. If a lighting designer is employed at this beginning stage, it is an opportunity to introduce issues that might impact the quality and quantity of lighting elements, special lighting features, applicable code and light level requirements, suggested lamp sources, and budget issues. Projects are better served, both in terms of design results and cost effectiveness, when there is early integration of all design features. The best architectural projects have a fundamental awareness of light and lighting inherent in their design. While architects usually have a general understanding of how their design will interact with natural light, where a lighting designer can offer significant expertise is in assisting how light will impact a project’s design with both daylight and electric light sources.
Schematic Design
During this phase the lighting designer makes a first pass at an actual lighting design solution. It is also an opportunity to gather additional information. This question and answer period is a way to aid the architect in clarifying and refining their design intent, while helping them to envision the lighting component of the project. This exchange and coordination helps ensure that each of the parties involved in the project understand the design goals and are working toward the same end. As the design advances, sketches and other presentation formats can be used to show the architect how light and lighting are supporting the architectural design. Design issues to be aware of include: How does light moves through the space? Are there areas that require color, texture, or highlight? More detailed discussions of fixture and lamp selection and lead-time may be introduced, and how this will coordinate with materials, budget, and maintenance issues.
Coordination
Coordination with all consultants is always of critical importance. From the outset, it is important to understand the responsibility and scope of work of each specialist, especially when it comes to lighting elements that potentially can fall under the purview of one or more team members, as in the case of emergency lighting, which is sometimes the responsibility of the electrical engineer.
Coordination with the mechanical engineer requires that the lighting designer provide the lighting heat load levels and required equipment dimensions so space is properly allocated, especially in areas like ceiling plenums. Lighting designers might also be required to coordinate with other specialties, like the audio-visual consultant, or landscape architect, or LEED consultant.
Although a lighting designer might be LEED certified him/herself, it does not necessarily mean that an additional consultant will not be involved on the project. It does, however, present the lighting designer with a unique opportunity to provide a significant contribution, in terms of the lighting design’s interaction with the LEED process, sustainable lighting techniques such as daylighting and control systems, and the integration of the lighting design with all of the building’s systems and sustainable design features.
Design Development
At this stage the design team further refines the project. The lighting design moves from a basic scheme to a more detailed discussion of specific luminaire and lamp type, controls selection, and fixture and equipment placement. By the later half of Design Development, the lighting design is complete, and coordinated with the physical dimensions of the project including ceiling depth, and duct size and location. Luminaire mounting details are further developed and coordinated with the emergency lighting plan. Photometric files are gathered, and lighting calculations are performed and analyzed. This is also the time to review mockups to test equipment with spatial relationships and material selections. Lighting design consultant drawings do not necessarily become part of the final construction document package. Therefore, it is up to the lighting designer to make sure their drawings and materials are accurately conveyed to the architect and incorporated into the appropriate drawing set.
construction documents
If a lighting designer has been contracted to participate during this phase, they will prepare drawing details, lighting specifications, fixture and lamp schedules, luminaire cut sheets, and photometric data. Scope of work might also include review of the architectural drawings; to make sure the lighting information is properly indicated via fixture schedule and specifications. Coordination continues with the architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing drawings. The lighting design is incorporated into the final set of construction documents and specifications.
Bidding/Negotiation
Even before a project reaches this final bidding phase, undoubtedly costs have been reviewed at milestone completion dates during schematic design and design development. This occurs so there are no major surprises, which risk setting the design and construction back by having to rework any portion of the design. The lighting designer may assist with revising details, reviewing substitution requests, and answering bidder questions.
Construction Administration
For the integrity of the lighting design, it is important to have informed decision makers involved during this later phase, whether it be the lighting designer or the architect. Ideally it is the lighting designer. This ensures that the lighting design will be carried out according to the intended design and specified equipment. If changes are required, for instance a last minute substitution, then the lighting designer will know how to make the adjustment with little impact to the overall project. Lighting design at this stage also includes fieldwork–focusing luminaries, fine tuning control systems, and trouble shooting unexpected problems.
Post Construction
Some projects also have a post construction evaluation where a lighting designer will come back to a project several months after completion to make sure the lighting system is working properly and the luminaires are focused correctly. If adjustments are required they will be made at this time.
Conclusion
As the architectural and building/construction processes become increasingly more complex, with larger project teams and specialized areas of work, the lighting designer is more and more in demand. Architecture, lighting design, and construction are a constant process of re-adjustment. Lighting designers bring value to a project through the experience and expertise they offer in uniting design skills with knowledge of the latest technical, code, and product information in the field of lighting.
