Most of us already spend a lot of time at work. Now, the employees at the new American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) headquarters in Washington, D.C., might even want to hang around a little bit longer. In June, the building became the world’s first project to achieve Platinum Level Certification for both the WELL v1 Building Standard (WELL) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), under the LEED ID+C rating system.
ASID leadership prioritized the goal of achieving Platinum certification. Lighting and lighting control proved to be an important, contributing factor. An automated Lutron shading and digital lighting control system enhances the efficiency and comfort of the space, was able to contribute to points in three WELL categories and three LEED categories, and was essential in achieving almost all energy efficiency points.
The lighting design, created by James Benya and Deborah Burnett, principals and partners at Benya Burnett Consultancy, ensures circadian-optimized lighting and daylighting, critical luminaire placement, and annual lighting schedules and sequences. By specifying a Lutron Quantum digital control solution, they were also able to maximize points in both WELL and LEED programs.
This new space is a dynamic “living laboratory” for the design community. Benya says the integrated lighting and shade control system “was uniquely able to provide all the control capability we needed for this landmark project.”
The end result is lighting that helps enhance the environment without drawing too much attention to itself. Occupant comfort is paramount—shades and lights automatically adjust to provide appropriate spectra, light intensities, and exposures throughout the year while saving as much energy as possible.
Specific elements of the lighting control solution include solar-responsive daylight and shade control, astronomic time clock, manual overrides, precise control of several types of electric light sources, compliance with the energy code, and a graphical user interface that makes actionable data simple to use. With the commitment to sustainability in mind, the selected Lutron shade fabric is GreenScreen Evolve—a Greenguard gold certified, a PVC-free fabric made from 67 percent recycled content, which is also 100 percent recyclable.
Perhaps the most essential aspect of the lighting and shade control system is that it is designed to ensure the space remains dynamic, and the facilities team is able to quickly make adjustments to meet changing space requirements. After all, if you’re going to spend more time at work, you might as well love your environment.
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