lightingthat

LightingThat is a term used to describe a holistic approach to lighting design that treats lighting as an integrated system rather than a collection of separate luminaires. It emphasizes adaptability to human needs, daylight integration, and smart controls to create environments that are comfortable, visually effective, and energy efficient. It is not a formal standard but a design philosophy found in contemporary architectural discussions.

The concept draws on principles from human-centric lighting, daylighting, and smart building technology. Practitioners describe LightingThat as an end-to-end approach: planning the layout and luminaires in concert with window placement, daylight harvesting strategies, and programmable fixtures that adjust over time and in response to occupancy and context.

Core components include daylight-responsive controls, tunable white or multi-channel color lighting, occupancy sensors, and software platforms for scheduling, scene management, and data analytics. Luminaires are selected for glare control, color rendering, and efficiency, while controls emphasize gradual transitions to minimize visual disruption.

Applications span offices, educational facilities, healthcare environments, hospitality, and cultural institutions, where LightingThat aims to support productivity, well-being, and sustainability. In practice, projects may pair skylights or windows with dimmable LED fixtures, daylight sensors, and circadian-friendly programming.

Criticism centers on compatibility across manufacturers, upfront costs, and the need for clear standards to ensure interoperability and data privacy. Proponents argue that a cohesive LightingThat approach can yield long-term energy savings and improved occupant experience. Related concepts include human-centric lighting, circadian lighting, daylighting, and smart lighting.