Architectural lighting for Commercial, Residential and Hospitality Interiors
Architectural lighting serves to illuminate and enhance building design through carefully design lighting systems.
It brings together three core disciplines – architecture, interior design and electrical engineering.
The aim is to create lighting designs that performs much more than the practicalities of a standard lighting scheme. The purpose is to create lighting systems that enhance a particular interior or exterior space using light.
Detail Lighting has over 25 years’ experience in creating and delivering architectural lighting for inspirational work and living spaces.
Architectural lighting plays a vital role in creating depth and warmth, whether in an interior or exterior setting. Architects and lighting designers are focussing more on lighting detail than ever before. The design and functionality of every architectural light fitting are carefully considered at all stages of each project.
Architectural LED lighting
Lighting designers are focussed more than ever on creating integrated architectural lighting design details. Creating the right ambience in an interior space where we live and work is essential for wellbeing and productivity.
Here at Detail Lighting, our team collaborates with architects, interior designers, specifiers and lighting designers to ensure the lighting designs fulfils a purpose and solves a problem for the client.
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Linear LED lighting has been adopted by many sectors as a mainstay source of artificial lighting. Commercial, residential, hospitality, education and the industrial sectors all integrate LED light fittings to improve the user experience and comfort.
A popular option among lighting designers and specification professionals includes the Cortes 48v track linear LED lighting system.
The Cortes luminaire is a slimline, low voltage linear LED lighting system that enhances many commercial and hospitality interiors with functional, aesthetic lighting.
The Cortes 48V system is the world’s thinnest linear LED lighting system. Trimless, recess, or surface track options are available, with the smallest spotlights being just 35mm dia. Exisiting track and spot systems do not match the contemporary, minimalist interior design from the Cortes system.
Pictured above: DALI Simmtronic System was installed and designed in a system with LED lights by Detail Lighting, at the Bow Arts Trust, Grade II listed Pennington Street Warehouse
Architectural lighting project
A central London kitchen showroom approached Detail Lighting to create a lighting system that showcased their exclusive kitchens, creating different atmospheres within the showroom and a layer of depth for customers to enhance their experience.
We supplied the Cortes 48v mini track system, Volans tuneable white linear LED and the Volans trimless LED linear lighting. All supplied with Bluetooth lighting controls for ease of use.
Due to the compact nature of the showroom, in order to create a sense of drama the lighting had to be designed in zones. This draws the eye to a particular kitchen layout.
The hidden LED linear lighting adds height to the space and the Cortes 48v system draws the eye to the rear of the showroom ensuring every aspect of the showroom is highlighted in the best possible way.
How to design architectural lighting schemes?
The first thing to consider is how the interior or external area is used, as well as how lighting might improve the user experience. It could be outside illumination for gardens or inside lighting for business or residential buildings.
The essential design elements that should be enhanced within the space, such as feature walls or artwork, are the next consideration.
Of course, aesthetics are important, so mood, illumination intensity, colour, and warmth must all be considered in architectural design.
The following are some of the techniques used to create architectural lighting design:
Uplighting is a technique for directing light on certain elements, producing shadows, and giving height to a scene.
Accent lighting is three times as bright as the rest of the lighting in a room and is used to draw attention to specific characteristics.
Linear lighting – used to create eye-catching effects on walls, ceilings and on key architectural features.
Creating distinctive and transformational spaces using LED lighting
Current and future trends in office designs represent a more ‘resi-mercial’ approach – so adopting more of a residential influence in the commercial environment.
This new design trend involves dividing large open-plan areas into smaller, more purposeful sections e.g. desk areas, break out spaces, meeting rooms and storage options.
The current use of DALI lighting control systems is an example of such a control system. DALI, or Digital Addressable Lights Interface, allows lighting to be controlled more precisely and flexibly via a digital signal.
At the Bow Arts Trust, Grade II listed Pennington Street Warehouse, architectural lighting designs included LED lighting which integrated a DALI Simmtronic System was installed, to control the lighting levels.
Architectural Lighting Trends
Over the years there have been many different trends in architectural lighting for commercial, residential and hospitality interiors. More recently, when considering commercial lighting or residential lighting design, the emphasis has been on minimalism, sustainability and functionality, thereby crossing the divide between design and end-user benefits.
Due to the focus on energy saving, an area that has seen a huge increase in demand is interior LED lighting. LED bulbs use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. Although they cost more to buy, the energy savings and exceptional life span have made LED bulbs the future of home and commercial lighting.
Interior LED Lighting Specialists
As specialists in the design and supply of interior LED lighting, Detail Lighting has vast experience in the more technical areas of interior LED lighting. These include colour temperature, intensity, colour rendering, and the positioning of the light source.
Stunning exterior lighting at a residential property. View the rest of our projects here.
Linear LED lighting is not a new trend in architectural lighting, but it continues to be popular due to its versatility. Linear LED systems can be recessed, surface-mounted or suspended for commercial lighting in offices and shops, following the architectural contours of ceilings, floors and walls.
In residential lighting, Linear LED systems can be used for illuminating statement features, as task lighting in kitchens and bathrooms, or integrated in shelving, staircases or walls.
Decorative pendants
An architectural lighting design that is increasingly popular in both commercial lighting and residential lighting schemes is decorative pendants. These beautifully chic, architectural light fittings are seen in most hospitality spaces, making them a popular choice with residential customers, keen to replicate the same ambiance at home.
Architectural lighting that protects the concept
Architectural lighting should not compete with the architecture. It should clarify form, reveal materials, and support how people use the space.
The most effective schemes start at concept stage and carry through to commissioning. This prevents glare, avoids rework, and keeps control systems aligned with the building’s changing uses.
Technical criteria architects should require
Photometry and optical control
Specify precise optics to deliver light only where it is needed. Use narrow beams to pick out features, medium beams for vertical emphasis, and wide distributions for general cover. Add shielding angles, baffles, and cut-off control to reduce high angle brightness and reflections in glass.
Glare and visual comfort
Design to accepted glare limits for the application. Control direct view of bright sources, position fittings outside primary sightlines, and favour recessed or louvered options where occupants face the luminaires for long periods.
Colour quality and stability
Use CRI 90 or higher where colour rendition matters.
Flicker and driver performance
Select drivers with low visible flicker and stable output across the dimming range. Confirm compatibility with the chosen protocol and scene controller. For cameras or broadcast spaces, request evidence of flicker control at typical frame rates and shutter speeds.
Lifetime, serviceability, and thermal design
Specify lumen maintenance targets such as L80 at defined hours with stated ambient temperature. Require access for driver replacement and provisions for safe isolation. Confirm heatsinking is adequate for the installed environment, including insulated ceilings and restricted plenums.
Buildability and integration
Coordinate recess depths, fixing methods, and access zones before tender. Confirm allowance for fire protection, acoustic integrity, and vapour barriers. Match IP and IK ratings to zone and use.
Acoustic performance is a commonly overlooked integration issue. Recessed fittings that penetrate fire-rated or acoustically rated ceilings and partitions can compromise sound insulation if not properly detailed. Coordinating with acoustic consultants during the specification stage ensures that lighting penetrations, access panels and ceiling voids are designed to maintain both acoustic integrity and lighting performance.
Considerations for your lighting specification
- Light source: LED, minimum CRI 90
- Colour consistency: ≤ 3 SDCM within each space, batch controlled
- Optical control: defined beam angles per location with shielding to control high angle luminance
- Glare: design and layout to meet application glare limits, with photometric proof from the supplier
- Lifetime: minimum L80 at 50,000 hours at stated Ta, replaceable driver
- Drivers and control: DALI-2 ready as standard, compatible with scene control and daylight integration
- Emergency variants: integral or remote packs coordinated with escape and anti-panic layouts, tested to the relevant UK codes
- Documentation: IES or LDT photometric files, Revit families, wiring schematics, and as-built photometric plots
If you prefer a bespoke route, our team can prepare the full specification package for you. See our Lighting Design Services.
Layering architectural lighting for residential and commercial projects
Residential
Lead with ambient layers that calm the space, then add task and accent layers for function and depth. Use warmer CCT in living zones and bedrooms, with neutral CCT in kitchens and studies. Apply scene control for morning, evening, and night settings. Conceal the light source where possible and allow for maintenance without disturbing finishes.
Commercial and hospitality
Design for flexibility. Use track and low-voltage systems where layouts change. Separate front-of-house scenes from back-of-house task settings. Integrate scheduling and occupancy logic to lower loads outside operating hours. Coordinate with the brand palette to keep colour rendering accurate in merchandise, artwork, and food displays. Explore our Commercial Lighting Solutions.
Can we help?
For a no-obligation chat about your architectural lighting designs, please contact us using our online form, by email at sales@detaillighting.co.uk, or by calling 01908 613256.
If you require lighting schemes for your project
get in touch with our team