Designers gather to agree format for environmental data
LIGHTING designers are set to gather this week to discuss the presentation of environmental information on their projects.
Specifically, they’ll explore a standardised format for setting out data on their projects including environmental product declarations (EPDs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs).
The roundtable meeting on Wednesday 19 October 2022 – to which all designers are invited – is part of what’s termed the Life Cycle Analysis incubator, a collaboration between the GreenLight Alliance and the International Association of Lighting Designers’ Lighting Industry Resource Council.
It follows a ‘collective commitment’ in March by manufacturers and designers to investigate the current life cycle impact of commonly used luminaires and lighting strategies.
The incubator serves as an invitation to the industry to work together, across expertise and territories, in a collaborative approach to address the impact of the industry’s designs on people and the planet.
The goal is to take a collective step towards transparency, constructive dialogue and a consistent approach to measuring, reporting and applying LCA information for lighting design.
Data is being collated from individual manufacturers to produce an Industry Average Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for each of the following luminaire classes: linear fittings, downlights, cylinder-style products, recessed 600 x 600 modular panels and post top luminaires.
Designers can then apply the resulting Industry Average EPD data for generic luminaires to typical spaces in projects they have in development.
This will provide designers with a more reliable means to understand and compare the qualitative and quantitative impact of various designs.
Glenn Shrum, associate professor of lighting design and interdisciplinary practice, Parsons School of Design told the Circular Lighting Report: ‘The urgency of action needed to address climate change requires the lighting design community to go beyond previous efforts to reduce lighting systems’ energy use.
‘The incubator focuses on identifying a consistent approach to measuring, reporting, and applying life cycle information about lighting equipment is a huge step toward equipping designers with the tools required to reduce carbon emissions of lighting installations.’
• To participate in the incubator as a manufacturer or designer contact Elaine Cook of the GreenLight Alliance on Elaine@greenlight-alliance.com
• Recolight offers special one-day training workshops on ‘Lighting product design for a Circular Economy’. Hosted by industrial designer Simon Fisher of F Mark, the CPD-accredited event explores the design criteria, regulations and standards to help lighting manufacturers apply and demonstrate circular economy principles in product development. More HERE.
