Workplace Lighting as a Dynamic Design Element

Workplace Lighting

June 14, 2017

By Erin Hawley

The modern office is seeing a major design shift as work styles change, mobile device use continues to grow, Millennials enter the workforce, and businesses embrace green, energy efficient technologies. Today’s workplaces are being redefined as dynamic, reconfigurable environments that can easily evolve with the changing needs of a company and its workers. With flexible floorplans and adaptable, multi-purpose furniture systems, a private office today can become a meeting room tomorrow. A common area can be converted to client showroom or training space overnight. Individual workspaces can be moved, modified, and reimagined in response to short and long-term business needs.

Despite the versatility that reconfigurable floorplans and furnishings bring, lighting has historically been more difficult and expensive to change, due to its electrical infrastructure and the typically complicated and invasive process to make modifications. One system, however, has found a way to make light fixtures as easy to move as furniture. The innovative DC Flexzone – from Armstrong Ceiling Systems and IDEAL Industries’ Audacy Advanced Wireless Controls – allows businesses to adapt their lighting to any situation using simple plug-and-play components. The DC Flexzone is modular, energy efficient, and can be integrated with wireless lighting controls made by Audacy AWS to monitor and help reduce energy consumption even further.

The DC Flexzone ceiling grid is itself energized with low-voltage DC power, delivering electricity directly to LED luminaires. Rather than being individually wired, each light fixture is simply connected to the ceiling grid by a clip, allowing it to be moved to a different location quickly and easily. A wide variety of fixtures are available for the system including troffers, pendants, T-Bars, and can-lights. So as office interiors are reconfigured, the lighting can also be easily modified to enhance the function of the space.  Workplace Lighting

Besides the architectural design benefits of using the DC Flexzone grid, another advantage of the system is found in improved energy efficiency. While today’s low-energy LED fixtures run on DC power, our electricity is provided in AC format. In a typical set-up, power in each LED fixture is converted from AC to DC current, and that conversion results in energy loss. In an office with dozens of fixtures, the wasted energy quickly begins to add up. When using DC Flexzone however, the entire grid is connected to a power supply that converts current from AC to DC once, so there is no conversion needed for individual fixtures.  

In a report by published in the scientific journal Energy Policy, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University examined the economic feasibility of using dedicated DC circuits to operate lighting in commercial buildings. Their research found that using LED lighting powered by DC current had the potential to save $24,000 (USD) a year versus traditional AC electricity in a 48,000-square-foot commercial building*.

Using DC Flexzone in conjunction with Audacy advanced wireless controls can further optimize energy use while providing users with precise control over their lighting. Audacy employs several strategies for increasing energy efficiency including daylight harvesting, occupancy sensors, and scheduling. Fixtures can be automatically dimmed or turned off when daylight illuminates the space, when the room is empty, or outside of office hours. And being wireless, the sensors and controllers are as simple to reconfigure as other flexible components in the office.

Using Audacy controls, lighting levels for individual luminaires or a set group of fixtures are easily adjusted and programmed in real-time based on the needs of people working in a space. Occupants have the option to manage their lighting through the use of the intuitive Audacy mobile app, online interface, or simple wall Workplace Lightingswitches and remote controls. Monitoring and reporting functions allow uncomplicated management of energy use, allowing businesses to find efficiencies, thereby reducing overall lighting costs.

Incorporating the DC Flexzone ceiling grid with Audacy wireless controls into the modern workplace provides incredible flexibility to customize the way spaces are used on an ongoing basis. Essential elements in the office including lighting can be reimagined in response to changing business needs. The right lighting is available where you want it, when you want it – all while contributing to the environmental and economic stability of your business.

Erin Hawley is Marketing Manager, IDEAL Industries (Canada) Corp.

*reference: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carnegie-mellon-researchers-examine-economic-feasibility-of-using-direct-current-circuits-to-power-lights-in-commercial-buildings-148863335.html

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    Mac’s II Agencies: Case Study – Tesoro, Vancouver, BC

    At the crest of False Creek, Tesoro stands as a contemporary interpretation of classic luxury, offering 92 exclusive waterfront homes in the heart of Vancouver. Developed by Concert Properties, this 17-story residential tower embraces a distinctly modern character, harmonizing sleek design with timeless sophistication. The vision for Tesoro extended beyond its architectural presence—it was about… Read More…

  • LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    LightForm: Estiluz – Versatile Solutions for Sophisticated Spaces

    For anyone seeking high-performance lighting that blends elegance with engineering, Estiluz offers an exceptional range of solutions. This Spanish brand, family-owned since 1969, creates lighting that balances form, function, and flexibility, making it ideal for both bold architectural statements and subtle design enhancements. At LightForm, they are proud to be the exclusive Canadian distributor of… Read More…


New Products

  • Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Taji Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting is excited to announce the release of its new Taji luminaire. Taji’s captivating design features high-performance optics and enhances a variety of aesthetics. Taji’s distinctive, stylish silhouette and slender lines are a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous dome luminaire. The unique flared form maintains a slender, minimalist feel yet provides high-performance optics. The… Read More…

  • Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton Releases New Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer for Home & Small Business Lighting Control

    Leviton has announced the launch of the Decora Smart Wi-Fi 0-10V Dimmer (D2710), expanding its comprehensive Wi-Fi lighting and load control solutions that work with the My Leviton app. As the first Matter-compatible 0-10V smart dimmer, the new 120V/277V device makes it easy to add 0-10V dimming to smart platforms such as Apple Home, Amazon… Read More…