Envision Lighting Design, LLC is now a registered Program Ally of the Ameren Illinois ActOnEnergy Efficiency Program! What does that mean? We've been through training so that we can navigate the energy incentives available to Ameren Illinois customers.
What a bargain! They want to GIVE YOU MONEY for doing the right thing in lighting, but some of the incentives are about to expire. New energy standards are phasing out production of some lamp types in the USA. As of July 2012, production of most T12 fluorescent lamps will end. If your facility still has T12 fluorescent lamps installed, you can receive a rebate from Ameren for each lamp you replace with a more efficient option! Of course, these rebates are about to be discontinued since production of the T12 lamp is being discontinued. If you complete your project by March 31, you will receive a $3-$7 per lamp rebate PLUS a 10% bonus PLUS an early completion coupon for a 10% bonus on your next project. Act now because all T12 rebates will end on May 31, 2012. Seriously, they are paying you to put in products that will save you money. This one is an obvious choice.
If you want to know more about rebates available through the ActOnEnergy program, contact Envision Lighting Design!

Speaking and special lighting engagements are beginning to fill the Envision Lighting Design calendar. Hope you can make it for one or more of the following:

I am pleased to be speaking about Lighting for the Aging Eye at the upcoming St. Louis ASID Universal Design Expo. Of course *my* eyes aren't aging. Ahem. But in case yours are, or in case your parents' eyes are aging, what can be done to make sure we - I mean they - see better? In addition to lighting this event will include product displays, so it will be a great opportunity to see furniture and tools that can be used to facilitate "Aging in Place."

The St. Louis Section of the IES will be offering an intensive two-day version of the popular IES Fundamentals of Lighting course on April 20-21, 2012. This class is typically a seven-week offering, so if you are anxious to learn all that you can as quickly as you can, this is a great opportunity! I will be presenting the final segment, Module 7. In this module, we will briefly cover additional lighting topics to whet the appetites of students who want to dig deeper into "Important Issues in Lighting." Since this is the final session of the course, I will keep the presentation interactive and the students involved, interested, and awake!

On June 11 at 11:00 I will be presenting a talk at NeoCon in Chicago. Watch for details here and here.

Lesley Wheel was a pioneer in the architectural lighting design world. She once told me a story I will never forget. One of her lighting projects was nearing the end of construction when the client approached her with serious concerns, "Lesley, you must add more lights to the space. It's too dark!"
She discussed the situation, tried to explain that the adjustable (track) lighting had not yet been properly focused (aimed) and assured the client that she would do what she could to make the lobby brighter. After that, she simply completed her job.
One of the critically important but sometimes overlooked aspects of a lighting designer's work happens long after the drawings have left the studio. While it may be tempting to eliminate the construction administration portion of the contract from a lighting designer's scope of work in order to save money, it would be ill advised. On site, a lighting designer will verify that lamps have been installed per specs - correct color temperature, beam spread, wattage, and CRI, etc. They also ensure that wall washers are actually directed toward walls. Lighting designers set dimming levels to optimize performance and aesthetics. They also aim and direct all adjustable fixtures toward their intended targets!

What happens when this important part of the lighting designer's job is overlooked?
See the picture. I don't think the designer of this project did anything wrong here...she just didn't get to focus (aim) the project. At this hospital grand opening and open house, we all saw dots of lights instead of the inspirational words on the wall.

Fortunately, Lesley Wheel's story had a happier ending. After she had aimed all of the lights the way she intended, the client approached her again. "Thank you for adding lights like I asked you to!"
She hadn't.
"You're welcome."