Lighting Control for Common Areas
Top challenges when designing lighting for common areas
Predicting space usage
Common areas have a known purpose, but usage throughout the day can vary. Without a clear understanding of occupancy behaviors in advance, designing a lighting system can be challenging.
Balancing atmosphere and function
Common areas must feel welcoming while still supporting basic tasks like navigation or informal collaboration. Lobbies, in particular, shape first impressions – so lighting here should create a visually coherent atmosphere.
Making data-driven decisions
As user needs and occupancy patterns shift, traditional lighting setups may struggle to keep up with changes. Without the correct lighting system data, optimising the system can be difficult and expensive.
- Collect and analyse occupancy data from your system to better understand space usage and optimise your lighting accordingly.
- Allow users to manually select lighting scenes to match different tasks and events.
- Use colour temperature control to support users during different tasks and times of day; warmer for relaxation, cooler for collaboration.
- Consider RGB colour control capabilities for further customisation.
- Use self-learning features to help optimise the lighting based on real usage patterns and reduce the need for recommissioning.
Configuring your lighting control system for common areas
Why choose a hybrid system design?
Full customisation
With hybrid systems, the sky is the limit. Users can choose from any range of lighting control features to improve their common area experience for staff and visitors.
Ready for the future
DALI offers a strong foundation for lighting management which can support the building throughout its lifetime. Wireless features offer an easy way to scale the system in case changes are needed.
Get your spaces certified
Due to diverse possibilities for control, automation and integration, hybrid systems offer more possibilities for certification with building standards such as WELL, LEED and BREEAM, and can help to comply with directives such as EPBD.
Why choose a wired system design?
No changes anticipated
If common area layouts are not expected to change over the life of the building, a fully wired DALI system can be a suitable choice.
Industry standard lighting control
DALI-2 is a reliable, well-supported lighting control protocol that doesn’t lock users into a single provider for their lighting control needs.
Automation and integration
Using a wired Application Controller gives users a wide range of automation options, and allows for integrations with other systems via options such as BACnet, Modbus, Tridium, MQTT and API.
Why choose a wireless system design?
Easy system adjustments
Wireless systems can be configured via a user-friendly mobile app, which allows for changes to be made quickly and with minimal disruptions.
Renovate older spaces
Wireless systems are easy to install and work as soon as they are switched on. No wiring means they are a great choice for renovation projects.
Boost comfort and efficiency through self-learning
Intelligent wireless systems can learn from real usage patterns to improve their performance, helping to save energy and improve the lighting experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should common areas such as lobbies use scheduled lighting during business hours?
In high-traffic areas like lobbies, lighting could be scheduled during business hours to maintain a consistent atmosphere. However, people may still be using the space during off-peak hours. Sensors will be important for saving energy during quiet periods, as they allow the system to dim or switch off the light according to occupancy.
How can we reduce energy consumption in lobbies or common areas?
Occupancy detection and daylight harvesting are the most effective lighting control strategies for reducing energy consumption. Data from usage patterns and system performance can also be analysed and compared over time to identify additional opportunities to save energy.
What lighting colour temperatures work best for shared spaces like kitchens, lounges and lobbies?
These areas benefit from flexible lighting that can shift between practical and ambient. Warmer colour temperatures can be used for social events and more relaxed moods, while cooler colour temperatures can support alertness and focus.
What is the recommended maintained illuminance for common spaces?
EN 12464-1 typically recommends 200 lux for general common areas like lounges and informal zones. It’s good to note that the actual required illuminance can vary based on the specific activities and visual tasks performed in the area.