Page 20 - College Planning & Management, April/May 2019

LIGHTING FOR HUMANS
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT. When replacing two pedestrian bridges on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder, consideration was given to a nearby housing complex, as well as a bird migratory path above the bridges’ location. Motion-activated LEDs embedded into the bridges were installed that ensure the safety of pedestrians while minimizing light pollution to the area.
MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
PHOTOS © JAMES STEINKAMP PHOTOGRAPHY
Tasked with replacing an undersized health center, Moraine Valley Community College,
in Palos Hills, IL, called on Demonica-
Kemper Architects to create a $35-million, 13,000-square-foot facility to serve their 36,000 students along with employees and community members. The contemporary structure balances natural and artificial light throughout. The lobby features a change in the ceiling plane to differentiate areas. Recessed LED luminaries integrate seamlessly with the grid ceiling to eliminate visual clutter and sup- port the modern aesthetic of the space.
connection to nature is comforting. It
makes us more focused and productive.” 2. Dynamic light: Interior lighting is de-
signed to change throughout the day. Color
and intensity shift to mimic the hour.
3. Personal control: Occupants have the ability to brighten or darken a room
based on their personal preferences and the needs of the space. Professors can dim lights for presentations or brighten them for energetic discussions. The changes don’t need to be dramatic to get the effect but “just having access
to control makes occupants feel more
connected to a space,” Protzman says. 4. Quality of light: The light must “feel
right,” according to Protzman. “Do they hum or strobe when you dim them?” If so, the lighting is not right.
Randy Burkett, of St. Louis-based Randy Burkett Lighting Design, defines HCL simply. “It’s just being sensitive to human needs and human desires, whether it’s in an office space, in a hospital, in a classroom, or out for a good night on the town.”
LEDs Make It Possible
“With the advancement of LED technology and the ability to control light output and color temperatures, college administrators and facility managers are growing increasingly curious about how this new technology can be effectively utilized in the learning environment,” says Michael McCullough, director of public relations, Hubbell Lighting.
As a result, any new or renovated building will undoubtedly feature LEDs. “In 2015, 70 percent of lighting was fluorescent,” says John Dellorto, vice president of Sales, Focal Point. “In 2019 it’s under 2 percent.”
LEDs are the light source of choice for reasons beyond their energy savings and long life.
“The advantage of LEDs is they are inherently controllable and can be used with digital control systems that offer simple, proactive scheduling systems, and the ability to rezone/reprogram lighting without rewiring or opening up walls,” says Marushak. “Smart lighting and control
20 COLLEGE PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / APRIL/MAY 2019
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER