The architect: ‘It’s critical’
When it comes to the lighting and home technology for the homes he designs, architect Andrew Meiring says he’s not going to hand over the reins. “It’s part of my standard service for clients; I consider it critical from an architectural perspective. Good lighting is not an add-on. It’s part of the detailing so why would I want to farm it out?”
10 TIPS FROM ANDREW MEIRING OF ANDREW MEIRING ARCHITECTS
1 LED is all the rage and everyone wants it – it’s efficient and not having to change bulbs for a long period is a big plus – but Andrew has concerns over the colour of the light. Even “warm white” bulbs seem to have an element of cold blue that he reckons isn’t good for our nocturnal habits as it affects the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. Some brands are getting it right, so look for one you can live with.
2 Don’t be upsold on a complex lighting tech system if you’re not prepared to put in the time familiarising yourself with it. Question whether it is giving you freedom or just complicating life: “I’m personally happy to switch on a light manually,” he says.
3 Consider a panel where all your networking communications cabling is hard-wired in one location. Hard-wiring devices that require speed (the TV for streaming, high-demand products for gaming) will make them run more efficiently. Put the hub in a centralised place (not down one end of the house) ideally where the fibre comes in and where the router is. “People think wireless solves all design problems,” says Andrew. “It doesn’t. If every device is using it at the same time, you’re bound to still get slow-downs and drop-outs. Reserve wireless for roving laptops and phones.”
4 LED strip lights under counters, behind bedheads, under bathroom cabinets, and mounted in decks take no space and don’t generate heat. But if you are going to set them into the ceiling, make sure the channel is deep enough to recess the LED far enough that you can’t see the individual anodes.
5 Outside, LEDs are ideal for lighting up ponds as they can be waterproof. You can also hide them under the copings of pools. But do use the lowest possible wattage and in a warm colour. “I’m not a fan of lighting up a house at night and would rather let the house sleep,” says Andrew. “A home is not a civic building and the neighbours shouldn’t have to be blasted. I prefer to put one or two low lights on the vegetation and to mark the entrance.”
6 Lighting manipulates the way people feel, says Andrew. “The living room is a place to relax so I like to use low intimate lighting. In dining rooms I like to use pendants brought down very low to just above head height to create a pool of light rather like sitting around a fire. I’d never put a downlight directly above a bed; pendants above the bedside tables are far nicer and leave the tables clutter-free.”
7 Kitchens and bathrooms both need multiple circuits: strong task lighting and mood lighting. Architects worth their salt should know the rules about where you can put electrical fittings in relation to water.
8 Avoid faddish LED lights (for example, the ones around shower heads that change colour). “I call it Pinterest architecture,” says Andrew. “Choose a solution that feels reasonably timeless.”
9 Double-glazing has a weird effect on exterior lighting, says Andrew. “Perhaps because of the two layers of glass, the internal reflection of the room becomes a lot more noticeable. For this reason I’ve been using really recessive exterior lighting – supplemented with candles and an outdoor fireplace. Also, don’t angle downlights onto glass – it just looks cold.”
10 Speakers installed in the ceiling are a good idea for a primary space, but build in a level of flexibility by putting them on different channels so the kids can do their thing in the snug while you are hosting a barbecue. Good quality directional speakers do the trick but they don’t suit sound aficionados. The real deal is still a pair of standing speakers. >