Lighting plays an important role in offices, homes, hotels, roads and parks. But good lighting is often not easily achieved, as it requires a thorough understanding of the concepts, utility of the area and, above all, an aesthetic taste to create a healthy environment.

The keys players in lighting are lighting designers, architects, interior designers, engineering consultants, manufacturers and local agents, which employ lighting engineers.

Lighting designers, architects and interior designers are responsible for the basic concept of lighting in any project. They identify areas to be illuminated and look into the aesthetic side of the luminaires. The engineering consultants look at the polar curves, utilisation factors, IP ratings, lamps, control gears and other engineering aspects to come up with an efficient lighting scheme. The manufacturers support by providing products, which suit the requirements. They also supply computer software for lighting design. The local agent helps the manufacturer in selling the products, by providing pre-sales and after-sales support.

Office lighting
Office lighting is seldom taken seriously by companies and organisations. The common practice for office lighting design is to leave two ceiling tiles, put a Dh100.00 ($27.2) light fitting and follow the pattern all along the office. The end result is a tunnel effect in the office, meaning dark walls and ceiling, but good lighting levels at the workstations. The emphasis is on LG3 Cat2, which is an obsolete concept and now superseded by Lighting Guide 3: 2001, the visual environment for display screen use. T8 fluorescent lamps are used, which will be obsolete in near future. The use of switch start control gears creates flickering, noise and consumes more energy.
To have a well-lit office, due consideration should be given to illuminate walls and ceilings and this can be achieved by using recessed, wall-mounted, and suspended lighting products. T5 fluorescent lamps and electronic control gears add value to the office by providing longer lamp life, energy saving and efficient schemes. Lighting controls can make the office lighting effective and efficient. The office lighting must create a healthy and productive environment as office staff spend at least one-third of their average day in the office.

Public areas
Lighting design for hotels, shopping malls and such other areas is a challenge for designers. 'The designer has to understand the theme and the concept of the project and develop the effect accordingly. Designers use a variety of products such as, downlighters, track-mounted luminaires, chandeliers, decorative sconces, cove lighting and uplighters, to achieve the effect. A well-balanced and quality lighting scheme can only be achieved through a well co-ordinated effort between all key players.

External lighting
External lighting, especially facade lighting, is also ignored in many projects. More often, pole-mounted luminaires are placed in front of the beautiful elevation of the building, which ruins the whole concept.
Light pollution is another area, which is not given due consideration.
A good external lighting scheme should comprise of tree lights, buried uplighters, recessed wall lights, bollard lights and few pole-mounted luminaires at appropriate places. The facade can be illuminated by cold cathode, fibre optic light, hidden floodlights and wall lights. Coloured lamps can also be use to enhance the beauty of the structure during the night.

Conclusion
The owner spends millions of dollars on interior and exterior decor of the building. Quality luminaires enhance these areas and provides value for money for the client. Any cost reduction in lighting ends up ruining the entire project. The bottom line is that through a team effort and the use of latest technology, we can illuminate our day and night environment to achieve higher productivity and efficiency.