The role of an architect, though changing, has been central to the successful design and implementation of pleasingly built environments in which people live. Architectural Lighting design refers to design for lighting, as it implies to the built environment. Architectural Lighting design requires consideration of the amount of functional light provided, the energy consumed, as well as the aesthetic impact supplied by the Architectural Lighting system. Some buildings, like surgical centers and sports facilities, are primarily concerned with providing the appropriate amount of light for the associated activities. Some buildings, like warehouses and office buildings are primarily concerned with saving money through the energy efficiency of the Architectural Lighting system.

The use of Fibre Optic Lighting is not new, but developments in lamp and fibre optic cable technology over the last 10 years have meant that it has stayed in the forefront of innovative lighting techniques. With applications as wide ranging as office reception desks, museum cabinet displays, swimming pools, signs, retail display, corridor & lobby areas, Fibre Optic Lighting is as relevant as it was 20 years ago when it first found widespread acceptance amongst the design community. Fibre Optic Lighting offers cold, UV free light from a small source, and with the advantage of a remote lamp, can often solve a maintenance problem, as the light projector can be placed away from the luminaire in an accessible area. Fibre Optic Lighting still offers many advantages over conventional lighting systems where energy efficiency, small luminaire size, low heat output and UV emissions are required.

The amazing increase in the output of LED s in the last few years has caused a revolution in the lighting industry. Led Lighting is now a viable alternative to more conventional techniques for cabinet lighting, small displays and long term exterior use. Led Lighting comes into its own with colour wash and small flood lighting systems. The easy to control RGB LEDs can mix millions of colours and the increasing power of LEDs mean that more applications are possible both inside & out. Led Lighting also offers the advantage of long life compared to more conventional light sources, although the output will go down slowly over time. Careful choice of systems, and control gear will be repaid with a long service life, with almost no regular maintenance needed. Led Lighting is set to become even more universal over the next five years as the LED technology steadily improves and the lumen outputs and efficiencies continue to increase. Led Lighting – it`s the future!