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ACW Engineering Service Recommendation for

Consultant / Architect / Designer

Difference between Lighting Designer and Lighting Engineering

Core is almost the same, approach is vastly different.

Most consultants especially architect are already familiar with lighting designer. As expert in lighting, they capable of helping consultant to enhance their design. But somehow lighting designer have their own merit. 


Here is some lighting designer facts that we know after talking with a lot of architect:

  1. Instead of enhancing consultants concept, they usually have their own approach to it. It makes discussion become longer and another change in conceptual design. It makes lighting design service become expensive since consultants need to pay whole new different design.  
     
  2. Designer aren't available to handle engineering site of project. Either because they're busy or because they don't have personnel to do it. It makes communication with contractor become stiff, since consultant usually handover all of lighting matters to lighting designer. 

  3. Material availability and delivery. Lighting designer are responsible to deliver material specifications since most of architectural lighting are usually professional product instead of retail product, but when it comes to material scheduling usually they will ask their supplier or contractor to do it. It has greater risk of material availability if the supplier aren't trustworthy and nothing can consultant do about it since usually it is out of contract.   

  4. Product after sales. Another problem faced is user usually ask if luminaire's broken, where should they buy the product and if pre-order, how long will it takes. Lighting designer usually pretty difficult to answer this since it will be responsibility of contractor and supplier. 

With that case above, lighting designer become known as expensive and not really addressing pain point of consultant

We are different on that sense. We approach everything as problem solving, since we are based on engineering and supplier side. 

  1. Full support. We will support whatever direction consultant headed with technical suggestion in mind, instead of different design approach altogether. We are engineering after all, we solve technical problem of consultant. 

  2. Cheaper pricing. Since we are only on technical side, it means we only going for schematic design (LOD 200) and detailed design (LOD 300) if needed. It makes our service become less expensive than lighting design firm. 

  3. Detailed design with contractor POV. Our detailed design approach will always on POV of contractor. As simple as possible. It will create smoother communication with contractor later on, whether we have on-site supervision contract or via online (included in detailed design service, project start max 6 months after full payment).  

  4. Flexibility on material specifications. We are not engaging in procurement if its not guarantee by consultant (ex: Design-Build firm). It makes us more flexible to use any material inside budget constraint. Instead our detailed design will include only general specifications and example or product. Our Bill of Quantity and RFQ will also based on general pricelist instead of special pricelist.  

  5. Procurement support. Since we are also have our support from biggest brand in Indonesia while also custom made luminaire and our own brand, our procurement strategy is far wider from other supplier and designer. 

    If we are granted for procurement, our BOQ will be a bit different. We will always have material delivery and availability in mind, instead of rely solely on single brand or product since we can directly check to our partner. It will drastically improve product delivery timing and team workflow. 

  6. Obsolete management. If we also in procurement, our product after sales will be included as obsolete management, instead of usual warranty. It will cover not only on warranty time but also after warranty. Read about obsolete management here. 

  7. Implementation and maintenance support. In scenario that we also granted implementation contract, we will also have service warranty and maintenance support up to 5 years after project launched. If consultant or user wanted a more guarantee maintenance for bigger project, please read more about our service Lighting Quality Management here  

Problems Faced by Architects/Consultants in Lighting

Getting started with our product is a breeze, thanks to our well-structured and comprehensive onboarding process.

1. Insufficient Knowledge of Lighting Standards

Many architects, designers, and consultants may not be fully aware of the latest lighting standards or guidelines specific to different environments, such as commercial, residential, or industrial spaces.

  • This gap often leads to incorrect or inconsistent implementation of lighting that doesn't meet safety, efficiency, or aesthetic requirements. For example, workplaces might be too dim or overly bright, impacting comfort and productivity.

2. Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality

Achieving the right balance between beautiful, modern lighting design and its functional aspects is challenging.

  • While clients demand visually stunning lighting solutions, these may sometimes conflict with technical requirements, such as maintaining appropriate lux levels or energy efficiency. This leads to either compromised designs or inefficient setups.

3. Energy Efficiency Constraints and System Integration

Coordinating lighting systems with other building technologies, such as HVAC, IoT devices, or automation systems, poses significant complexities. In the other hand, consultant also responsible for Integrating sustainable, energy-efficient design especially lighting solutions within the constraints of the project's budget.

  • Architects and consultants are under constant pressure to use energy-efficient technologies, like LEDs, while staying within financial and design limits, making trade-offs unavoidable. This challenge becomes even more pronounced in large-scale projects like malls or stadiums.


4. Coordination with Contractor and Stakeholder

Communication about lighting systems often become issue, especially for highly customized design such as luxury house or hotel, art gallery and museum etc. Lacks of detail in planning, material availability and pricing, also added works in the middle of construction are the more common problem. Consultant without technical lighting prowess tend to find it harder to works in this environment. 

  • Lack of synchronization in construction stage often leads to inefficiencies, increased costs, working mistake or system malfunctions, undermining both the building's functionality and the user's experience.


5. Post-Installation Issues

After installation, recurring problems such as poor lighting uniformity, glare, or maintenance requirements frequently arise.

  • These issues often stem from inadequate planning or design flaws and lead to dissatisfaction among stakeholders, necessitating additional revisions or repairs that inflate costs and prolong project timelines

Our Recommended Service

We are committed to continuous improvement, regularly releasing updates and new features based on user feedback and technological advancements.

   

We believe we have several of our consultant client based on their field of works. Below is our recommendation table for our consultant client.  


For traditional consultant that usually serve only on planning phase, our Lighting Design and Engineering service is suitable. Lighting Audit service are required when they are faced by user that usually wanted to renovated their place but only hire them as consultant. 

Design-build consultant are our notion for contractor or consultant that specialize on new construction design-build. It is easier for them to directly hire us as Lighting EPCM instead, so our workflow can match seamlessly. 

Renovation consultant are our notion for contractor or consultant that specialize for renovation design-build. It is usually hard for renovation consultant to deliver without subcontractor that understand this method, since it needs detailed on survey and audit of existing data. Our Lighting Quality Management service are design for Lighting Facility Management in large industry, that is why it is will also beneficial for renovation consultant to use this service for depth and detailed renovation project. 

Benefits of Using Lighting Engineering Solutions

We are committed to providing exceptional support and resources to help you succeed with our platform.

  1. Improved Design Depth and Quality
    Lighting engineering will help consultant to works as 
    • Projects utilizing these solutions can reduce operating costs and minimize environmental impact, aligning with modern sustainability goals.

  2. Enhanced Design Efficiency
    Lighting engineering works as main support for conceptual design down to detailed design of consultant instead of another head with another concept and intention. 
    • This makes team workflow became much better since there is only 1 decision maker. Any review and revision will communicated better. Hence directly impactful to efficiency. 

  3. Streamlined Integration with Sustainability Goals
    Professional lighting engineering ensures seamless integration of lighting systems especially lighting management system with other building technologies like IoT, automation, or climate control systems.
    • This improves overall building performance and enhances user convenience, creating a smarter and more cohesive infrastructure.
    • Advanced lighting solutions incorporate energy-efficient technologies and smart control systems, leading to significant reductions in energy consumption.
    • Projects utilizing these solutions can reduce operating costs and minimize environmental impact, aligning with modern sustainability goals.

  4. Improved Communication within Project
    Advanced lighting solutions incorporate energy-efficient technologies and smart control systems, leading to significant reductions in energy consumption.
    • Projects utilizing these solutions can reduce operating costs and minimize environmental impact, aligning with modern sustainability goals.

  5. Minimized Maintenance and Operational Costs
    High-quality lighting engineering solutions incorporate durable materials, cutting-edge technologies, and optimized layouts to reduce maintenance needs.
    • This results in fewer disruptions, longer system lifespans, and cost-effective operations post-installation.

  6. Customization and Scalability
    Lighting engineering enables tailored solutions that align with the specific needs of the project, offering scalability for future expansions.
    • Designers and architects can deliver innovative, bespoke designs while maintaining flexibility for future modifications, ensuring long-term satisfaction for clients.

We deliver result for small to multinational company.

Join us and make your lighting system better.