Note: This article originally appeared in BD+C's April 2013 AIA/CES course, "Advanced Controls and Exterior Tactics for Better Illumination." This free class is available on BD+C University.
“We don’t specify LEDs,” says Avraham Mor of Lightswitch Architectural. “We specify solid-state luminaires and lamps (SSL) that use LEDs.”
Mor’s correction of this common misuse of the term “LED” is significant, because a problem associated with SSL is often just a problem with a specific LED product. “SSL is the only source to use when trying to meet energy reduction goals while maintaining the look and feel we typically work toward,” he says. “We have had great success, but it takes a great designer and client to manage the entire process.”
In fact, many complaints about LEDs are often attributable to the SSL, and vice versa, leading to complaints about a technology that sometimes fails to meet expectations. But SSL, as Mor says, is really the future of energy reduction; with careful design and specification, it is also the present.
PNNL’s Naomi Miller points to the myriad benefits of LED technology: “Higher lumens-per-watt than fluorescent, good lumen maintenance over time (in some cases better than fluorescent), long life compared to CFL or metal halide, and excellent color compared to almost any conventional light source.” She adds that the small form factors mean LEDs are richly accommodating, allowing designers enormous creative flexibility with space, configuration, and color.
Lumen Architecture’s Nelson Jenkins says blanket substitutions aren’t necessarily a good strategy, however: “Not all LED products match the quality of the other sources we specify.” In addition, price is still an issue. “We find that while the cost of LEDs has come down, they tend to be more expensive than, for instance, a halogen version. But the up-front cost for LEDs can often be offset by the energy savings and reduced maintenance.” Jenkins suggests explaining to clients that SSL will require re-lamping less often—an especially strong selling point in vaulted spaces or exterior applications.
Ultimately, the SSL category is a work-in-progress, not a panacea. “LED is certainly very popular, and many designs would not be possible without it,” The Lighting Practice’s Stephen Hoppe says, referring to exterior applications. “But ceramic metal halide also provides great color rendition and warmth and can often be as efficient as LED.”
James Benya of the California Lighting Technology Center, UC-Davis, has concerns about how codes and standards may be affecting the market for products and systems, particularly LEDs. He hopes to see energy codes and sustainable building standards that do not promote particular technologies.
“The current trend shows a rush to use LEDs,” warns Howard Brandston, founder of Brandston Partnership. “One must determine if LED is the right choice after sifting through the qualities of all the alternate products. There is no change in the design process,” he concludes, “just an additional product to select from.”
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Jun 28, 2023
Sutton Tower, an 80-story multifamily development, completes construction in Manhattan’s Midtown East
In Manhattan’s Midtown East, the construction of Sutton Tower, an 80-story residential building, has been completed. Located in the Sutton Place neighborhood, the tower offers 120 for-sale residences, with the first move-ins scheduled for this summer. The project was designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen and developed by Gamma Real Estate and JVP Management. Lendlease, the general contractor, started construction in 2018.
Architects | Jun 27, 2023
Why architects need to think like developers, with JZA Architecture's Jeff Zbikowski
Jeff Zbikowski, Principal and Founder of Los Angeles-based JZA Architecture, discusses the benefits of having a developer’s mindset when working with clients, and why architecture firms lose out when they don’t have a thorough understanding of real estate regulations and challenges.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Average U.S. apartment rent reached all-time high in May, at $1,716
Multifamily rents continued to increase through the first half of 2023, despite challenges for the sector and continuing economic uncertainty. But job growth has remained robust and new households keep forming, creating apartment demand and ongoing rent growth. The average U.S. apartment rent reached an all-time high of $1,716 in May.
Apartments | Jun 27, 2023
Dallas high-rise multifamily tower is first in state to receive WELL Gold certification
HALL Arts Residences, 28-story luxury residential high-rise in the Dallas Arts District, recently became the first high-rise multifamily tower in Texas to receive WELL Gold Certification, a designation issued by the International WELL Building Institute. The HKS-designed condominium tower was designed with numerous wellness details.
University Buildings | Jun 26, 2023
Addition by subtraction: The value of open space on higher education campuses
Creating a meaningful academic and student life experience on university and college campuses does not always mean adding a new building. A new or resurrected campus quad, recreational fields, gardens, and other greenspaces can tie a campus together, writes Sean Rosebrugh, AIA, LEED AP, HMC Architects' Higher Education Practice Leader.
Standards | Jun 26, 2023
New Wi-Fi standard boosts indoor navigation, tracking accuracy in buildings
The recently released Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11az enables more refined and accurate indoor location capabilities. As technology manufacturers incorporate the new standard in various devices, it will enable buildings, including malls, arenas, and stadiums, to provide new wayfinding and tracking features.
Green | Jun 26, 2023
Federal government will spend $30 million on novel green building technologies
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will invest $30 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to increase the sustainability of federal buildings by testing novel technologies. The vehicle for that effort, the Green Proving Ground (GPG) program, will invest in American-made technologies to help increase federal electric vehicle supply equipment, protect air quality, reduce climate pollution, and enhance building performance.
Office Buildings | Jun 26, 2023
Electric vehicle chargers are top priority for corporate office renters
Businesses that rent office space view electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as a top priority. More than 40% of companies in the Americas and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) are looking to include EV charging stations in future leases, according to JLL’s 2023 Responsible Real Estate study.
Laboratories | Jun 23, 2023
A New Jersey development represents the state’s largest-ever investment in life sciences and medical education
In New Brunswick, N.J., a life sciences development that’s now underway aims to bring together academics and researchers to work, learn, and experiment under one roof. HELIX Health + Life Science Exchange is an innovation district under development on a four-acre downtown site. At $731 million, HELIX, which will be built in three phases, represents New Jersey’s largest-ever investment in life sciences and medical education, according to a press statement.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Jun 22, 2023
NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars release conceptual designs for ‘stadium of the future’
Designed by HOK, the Stadium of the Future intends to meet the evolving needs of all stadium stakeholders—which include the Jaguars, the annual Florida-Georgia college football game, the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, international sporting events, music festivals and tours, and the thousands of fans and guests who attend each event.