Lighting

Attractive, functional and cost effective lighting from the right balance of natural lighting, electric lighting and control systems.

Successful lighting depends on a balance of natural lighting, effective and energy-efficient electric lighting and integrated control systems. These should complement the building’s design and support business activities. With experienced lighting experts and first-class facilities, we provide professional consultancy, analysis and advice on all aspects of electric and natural lighting, and occupant needs for lighting.

Lighting for new spaces

BRE experts provide impartial advice on the performance of new lighting technologies or innovative strategies, and on integrating electric lighting with daylighting.

We advise on developing the design brief, perform design assessments and prototype evaluations, and offer guidance on selecting lighting systems (light sources, luminaires and lighting controls) by evaluating their flexibility, suitability, value for money, energy efficiency, user-friendliness and maintenance costs.

Lighting in existing buildings

Our experts measure the effectiveness of current lighting systems, assess problems such as glare and suggest remedial measures.

We provide particular expertise on the best lighting for activities such as VDU use, the appearance of lit spaces, and the selection of appropriate lighting controls. Once lighting has been installed we offer post-occupancy evaluations of performance, and carry out occupant surveys to gather views on comfort levels and identify any problem areas.

Daylighting

We offer guidance on window design, measuring daylight, solar shading, and avoiding excessive solar heating and glare. Our experienced daylighting team helps with designing site layouts to optimise daylighting, and with issues such as the right to light, overshadowing, and the effects of trees on daylight and sunlight. We help with planning and legal issues, and offer expert witness services. See our Natural light page.

Lighting and health

We advise on the health effects of lighting in new and existing buildings, including daylighting or circadian electric lighting (sometimes termed human-centric lighting). We draw on the latest research in this field, and relevant codes and standards such as the WELL Building Standard.

Light pollution (obtrusive light)

Lighting installations can cause unwanted spill light to other properties or to the night sky. We assess light pollution from proposed developments and infrastructure and advise on cost-effective remedies. Our experts can provide reports or Environmental Statement chapters for submission as part of planning applications, and give evidence at planning hearings and public inquiries.

First class testing facilities

Our laboratories and test facilities enable us to compare the performance of various lighting strategies, and provide experimental validation of innovative lighting solutions, including colour and illuminance evaluation. We also test downlights to acoustic standards for compliance with Building Regulations Part E and test LED fire alarm warning beacons.

For more information

Call us on +443333218811 if you would like to know more about our lighting services or would like to discuss a specific lighting issue – or email [email protected]


Selection of BRE lighting publications from the BRE Bookshop


Lighting and health, IHS BRE Press 2015
Selecting lighting controls, BRE Digest 498, IHS BRE Press 2014
The essential guide to retail lighting: Achieving effective and energy-efficient lighting, IHS BRE Press 2013
Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight: a guide to good practice, BR 209, IHS BRE Press 2011
LED lighting: A review of the current market and future developments, IHS BRE Press 2011
Specifying LED lighting, BRE Information paper IP 15/10, IHS BRE Press 2010
Lighting and colour for hospital design, The Stationery Office 2004
Office lighting, IHS BRE Press 2001

Example lighting projects

Working with major retailers and businesses

Reviewing design briefs, evaluating existing lighting schemes, and implementing methods of reducing energy use while improving space appearance and user wellbeing. Assessing the market for different forms of lighting and how it will develop in the future.

Solid state lighting: overcoming the barriers

A human factors study comparing LED and traditional lamps when viewed side by side. This showed that people preferred the colour of the best performing LEDs to that of tungsten halogen lamps.

 

People friendly lighting controls

Human factors study assessing different forms of lighting control – important in ensuring controls for LEDs are user friendly and intuitive.

Circadian lighting

Field research on the effects of circadian lighting on occupants’ health and wellbeing, linked with control schedules to identify optimal control strategies for circadian lighting so that health and wellbeing benefits are maximised.