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  News
  

Understanding and Embracing Lighting as a Strategic Asset

Strategic Lighting Upgrades Can Elevate Hotels from the Ordinary to the Extraordinary

In the world of luxury hospitality, lighting is far more than a technical detail — it’s a silent architect and a transformative force that shapes mood, influences behavior and defines the very essence of a guest’s experience — long before a single word is spoken or a service is rendered.

Why Lighting Matters: More Than Ambiance — A Strategic Investment

Lighting in hospitality is often underestimated, yet it is one of the most powerful tools in design. Lighting is no longer just a design choice; it’s an investment that influences energy efficiency, sustainability, operational costs and the integration of smart technologies.

From boutique properties to global portfolios, the moment a guest steps into the lobby, the interplay of light sets the tone for luxury, comfort and brand identity, while also supporting sustainability goals and reducing long-term costs.

For today’s hospitality leaders, lighting upgrades are not merely aesthetic choices; they are strategic investments that drive guest satisfaction and operational excellence. 

Memorable Experiences: The New Standard

Today’s guests expect technology and personalization in their hotel rooms, often seeking experiences superior to those at home. The ability to control every light with a single touch, or to enjoy thoughtfully designed lighting scenes, is now a hallmark of luxury hospitality. As the industry continues to innovate, lighting stands at the forefront, illuminating not just spaces, but the very essence of guest experience. 

Experts Perspectives

Personalization Creston’s Michelle Guss perspective emphasizes the importance of personalized lighting experiences. Modern control systems allow guests to tailor lighting to their needs — whether seeking relaxation or productivity — while public spaces like lobbies and restaurants benefit from dynamic lighting that transforms ambiance and supports brand standards. 

Technology & Sustainability DMF’s Samantha Orzel highlights the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting older hotels with today’s LED technology and that sustainability is not just about energy savings; it’s about making thoughtful choices during renovations that minimize waste and maximize long-term value. DMF’s modular product approach enables flexible upgrades, allowing hotels to adapt existing infrastructure with minimal disruption. 

Seamless Design Lighting designer Chip Israel shares that the best lighting is often invisible — seamlessly integrated into architecture, guiding guests through spaces and enhancing wayfinding. Israel stresses that quality matters, including color temperature, color rendering and glare control. These are all essential for creating memorable experiences. The “three rights” — the right amount of light, in the right location, for the right amount of time — summarize the philosophy behind successful lighting design. 

Collaboration and Best Practices

A recurring theme was the value of collaboration — bringing together lighting designers, manufacturers and hotel owners early in the renovation process to ensure compatibility and optimal outcomes. Site visits, model rooms and open dialogue help tailor solutions to each property’s unique character and needs. The experts encouraged hoteliers to leverage local talent and cutting-edge technology, making luxury experiences accessible not just in presidential suites, but throughout the entire property. 

Best Practices for Successful Renovations

1. Understand Your Client’s Needs:
   Successful renovations begin with a deep understanding of the client’s priorities. Surveys and feedback help uncover what guests truly value, even if they cannot always articulate it. Engaging a design expert ensures that both the artistic and scientific aspects of lighting are addressed, leading to repeat business and lasting satisfaction. 
2. Test with Model Rooms:
   Building a physical model room allows stakeholders to test and validate every detail, from fixtures to controls. This approach minimizes costly mistakes and ensures that the result meets expectations before scaling up to the entire property. 
3. Embrace Technology and Scalability:
   Modern solutions from Crestron and DMF Lighting offer scalable, wireless controls and modular fixtures that minimize downtime and future-proof properties. These technologies, once reserved for upscale suites, are now accessible for all guest rooms, enabling hotels to remain operational during renovations. 
4. Collaborate Early and Often:
   Every property is unique. Early collaboration among lighting manufacturers, controls specialists, designers and facility managers is essential. Site visits and joint walkthroughs reveal opportunities for customization and creative solutions, ensuring compatibility and seamless integration. 
5. Prioritize Guest Experience and Sustainability:
   Thoughtful lighting design enhances ambiance, supports energy efficiency, and allows for personalized control. The technologies discussed are applicable not just to guest rooms, but to spas, restaurants, and all hotel spaces, ensuring a cohesive and memorable environment. 

As expectations rise and technology advances, lighting stands at the forefront of hospitality innovation. It is no longer just about illumination — it is about crafting experiences, supporting sustainability and delivering on the promise of luxury.

By following these best practices of understanding needs, validating solutions, embracing technology, collaborating and prioritizing guest experience, hoteliers can illuminate their properties with confidence and creativity, delivering unforgettable stays for every guest.

Watch the ILHA Webinar

The ILHA webinar reminds that with thoughtful investment and expert collaboration, lighting can elevate every aspect of the guest journey.

To watch the ILHA webinar that explores how innovative lighting solutions are transforming hotel renovations and elevating guest experiences, visit https://www.youtube.com/live/cF-czzjbwSI. 

Connecting with the Experts

For those Seeking Guidance, the panelists offered direct contact options: 

Lighting Design Alliance: lightingdesignalliance.com or search for local experts via the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD

Crestron: Hotel@crestron.com

DMF Lighting: Hospitality@dmflighting.com 

ILHA webinar reminds that with thoughtful investment and expert collaboration, lighting can elevate every aspect of the guest journey.

To watch the ILHA webinar that explores how innovative lighting solutions are transforming hotel renovations and elevating guest experiences, visit

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  Technical
  

Understanding NEC 2020 mandates, UL testing standards, and the importance of proper installation for ceiling fan support

Why Fan-Rated Junction Boxes Matter

Ceiling fans place unique stresses on electrical boxes as ordinary boxes for lighting weren’t built to handle the vibration and movement of a fan. To ensure safety and compliance, only fan-rated junction boxes, tested and certified by UL and required by the National Electrical Code (NEC), should be used. 

NEC 2020 Requirements

The 2020 NEC mandates fan-rated boxes in any habitable room where a ceiling fan could be installed, even if no fan is present during construction. This prevents unsafe retrofits and ensures long-term safety.

Testing Standards (UL 514A)

Fan-rated boxes undergo rigorous static and dynamic load tests. They must support fans up to 35, 50, or 70 pounds, with clear markings indicating their capacity. Testing simulates real-world conditions, including imbalanced loads and loosened screws, to guarantee reliability. 

Box Ratings & Markings

Boxes are labeled by their tested weight limits (35, 50, or 70 pounds in the US and Mexico). In Canada, any fan over 16 kg must be independently supported. Screw types and installation hardware differ by country. 

Where Are Fan-Rated Boxes Required?

Fan-rated boxes are required in all habitable rooms except bathrooms, closets, hallways, and similar spaces. Exceptions include areas too close to walls or above certain countertops. 

Product Example: DMF’s F4NC Housing

DMF’s F4NC junction box meets UL 514A requirements and is rated for fixture support up to 50 pounds in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and for ceiling-suspended fan support up to 35 pounds and up to 16-inch joist spacing in the US and Mexico.

Additionally, the F4NC boasts STC/IIC Sound Rating, ASTM E283 Air Tight rating, and is code compliant for use in appropriate fire-rated assemblies for up to two hours.

The F4NC features a highly durable, universal bar hanger design, accommodating joist spacing from 14 to 24 inches  (up to 16 inches maximum joist spacing for fan-rated applications) — or even down to 8 inches with simple field modification. For secure installation, the F4NC is supplied with two #8-32 screws for fixture support and six pre-installed screws to fasten the bar hangers to joists. Note that for ceiling suspended fan support, the F4NC may be installed into wood joist or studs only and all 6 joist screws must be fastened.

DMF Product Solutions

F4NC Housing

For a deeper dive on fan-rated standards, testing, ratings and requirements, review the Fan-Rated Junction Boxes Technical Bulletin.

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  News
  

Decorative Pendants with Shades stand out for clean aesthetic, technical sophistication and flexibility

The Product Innovation Awards (PIA) honor the most transformative products, systems, and materials that empower architects to reach new heights of creativity and performance in their designs.

The awards shine a spotlight on groundbreaking products and solutions, guiding architects, building owners, and specification influencers toward the creation of spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional. Judged by a distinguished panel of industry leaders, the program elevates manufacturers whose visionary concepts and advanced systems are shaping the future of the built environment. Amidst the thousands of new ideas introduced each year, the Decorative Pendants with Shades represent the pinnacle of excellence.

“These products stand out for their clean aesthetic, technical sophistication and user-centric flexibility.” – Architectural Product Innovation Award Judge

The Impact of Decorative Pendants with Shades

DMF’s X Series 3-inch and M Series 4-inch Decorative Pendants with Shades have rapidly become a defining element in contemporary architectural and interior design projects. Their influence is seen in several key areas:

Elevating Aesthetic and Ambiance

These pendants are celebrated for their ability to seamlessly blend high-output performance with refined design. The concealed hardware and die-cast aluminum shades create a sleek, symmetrical profile, allowing the fixtures to serve as both functional lighting and sculptural focal points. In hospitality and commercial projects, designers have used these pendants to establish visual rhythm and elevate the overall ambiance, making spaces feel both sophisticated and inviting.

Versatility in Application

With options for narrow, medium, and wide shade distributions, as well as multiple lengths and mounting configurations, these pendants have been successfully integrated into a wide range of environments — from open-plan offices and hotel lobbies to upscale restaurants. The field-cuttable cord or stem mounting allows for tailored installations, accommodating high ceilings and unique architectural features.

Enhanced Lighting Performance

The pendants’ advanced optical engineering — offering up to 3000 lumens, a full spectrum of color temperatures, and dimming down to 0.1% — enables designers to precisely select and control illumination. The shadowless uplight option, which allows for both direct and indirect lighting from a single fixture, has been particularly impactful in projects requiring layered lighting schemes. This flexibility supports both task and ambient lighting, improving visual comfort and energy efficiency.

Design Flexibility and Customization

Specifically designed for architecturally demanding indoor and outdoor spaces, these fixtures have been praised for their modular design, tool-less field-changeable optics, and embedded drivers for easy serviceability. In open ceilings and shallow plenum installations, the pendants have enabled designers to achieve both aesthetic and technical goals without compromise, including improved lighting uniformity, reduced glare, and enhanced user experience, especially in collaborative and hospitality settings.

The ability to select from various shade diameters, beam spreads, and color temperatures has empowered designers to customize lighting solutions for each project’s unique requirements. This has resulted in spaces that are not only visually striking but also highly functional, supporting diverse activities and moods throughout the day.

The Decorative Pendants with Shades are showcased in the November/December issue (page 58) of Architectural Products, with the 2025 honorees also noted on the magazine’s website.