May’s free webinar series will see to that. By Dianne M. Pogoda

 

Whether clients want to light up the night, set a mood, or make sure they can see what they’re  chopping in the kitchen, lighting schemes can make or break an interior, and greatly enhance — or detract from — the functionality of a space.

May’s free NKBA Webinar series will focus on the practical and aesthetic use of lighting in the design scheme, provide a deeper understanding of the advances in lighting technology, different types of illumination and the effects they create, and best practices in specifications for various applications. The series is generously sponsored by Samsung.

Each month, NKBA offers four 60-minute webinars, each of which features a presentation by an expert in the specific subject matter, delivered via a virtual platform. The free sessions offer certified participants 0.1 CEU per event — it’s an easy way to collect the CEUs needed to maintain NKBA certification. Participants must engage in 80 percent of the sessions to receive CEU credit; registration closes two hours prior to start times. All times listed are Eastern.

First up, on May 2 at 12 noon, architect Doug Walter, AKBD, AIA, of Doug Walter Architects, will discuss “Rewriting the Rules on Recessed Lighting.” Most kitchen are poorly lit, according to Walter, but designers and lighting experts don’t agree on which lamps work best in which fixtures, and especially where those fixtures need to be located. He will explain how to measure lighting — in terms of delivered foot candles on countertops — and how to choose the right bulbs, fixtures and placement for optimum function. He’ll use an array of examples, old-style lighting vs. modern technology, and cover basic principles of good lighting to maximize an illumination scheme in any space.

To register for “Rewriting the Rules on Recessed Lighting,” click here.

On May 7 at 3 p.m., Kelly Inglis, owner – Lighting, Education, Design, will explore “Healthy Lighting and How to Take Control.” This session will provide an in-depth look at residential lighting design, from technical and design perspectives, illustrate the lighting possibilities ahead of a design plan and discuss unique product concepts and how to use them. Inglis avers that the array of lighting, from phones to all interior sources, has a great impact on health, spiritual and physical well-being. She’ll share tips and tricks on lighting environments for a healthier lifestyle, the ins and outs of LEDs, using natural daylight and how to control lighting integration.

To register for “Healthy Lighting and How to Take Control,” click here.

Next up, Rachael Perry, communications leader at Robern Inc. (a Kohler Company), will dive into “Technology and the Ideal Styling Space Experience”on May 20 at 12 noon. The “styling space,” also known as the bathroom, is a refuge as well as a grooming station, and when it’s well-designed, it can be relaxing, functional and help save time and effort. Perry will discuss incorporating smart-home technology, lighting and storage solutions in the bathroom; define elements that contribute to the user experience, and explain factors that influence effective lighting for grooming and supporting natural circadian rhythms.

To register for “Technology and the Ideal Styling Space Experience,” click here.

Finally, on May 29 at 12 noon, Walter returns with Jeni Finnigan, OTR-L, CAPS, principal of Unbounded Spaces LLC, to discuss “Lighting the Way to Improved Wellness at Home.”

Light is one of the most powerful tools a designer can use to enhance the appearance of a space, compensate for low vision and enhance the health, safety and welfare of the occupants, and promote healing, rest and relaxation. Walter and Finnigan will explore the visual and non-visual effects of lighting on body chemistry, the impact of exposure to natural daylight, full-spectrum lighting and its impact on Circadian rhythms and disease, the latest research and technology in the field of light and health, and how designers can use this information to create kitchens, baths, and whole homes that support healing and growth while appealing to our aesthetic sense. They will sharespecific, useable tips to enhance the lighting — natural and artificial — for every room in the house, but especially the kitchen and bath.

To register for “Lighting the Way to Improved Wellness at Home,” click here.