The mission is to bridge awareness about the range of benefits and impacts of lighting within Nelson, BC through conversation and consultation.

To encourage simple, accessible lighting solutions and information for residents and businesses alike while offering support to those that facilitate design, supply and installation.

To improve ones wellbeing and enjoyment of life by way of good lighting.

The immediate mission is two fold:

1) Serve the residential/ small business community and individuals interested in improving their lighting and health.

2) Catalyze better communication, latest education and access to lighting resources among: architects, electricians, building contractors, engineers, interior designers and municipal representatives.

Nelson, BC is an extraordinary and unique place both geographically and culturally. It’s where Christmas lights sparkle throughout the summer and people pray for copious amounts of snow in the winter. A frontier town from1800’s, Nelson’s architectural style is a cross section of old and new with lighting that is reflective of this.

Mountain landscapes offer recreational pleasure year round yet sunshine is at a minimum in the winter and it’s not a good time for those with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). With this in mind and the alarming time spent indoors at screens, its a great opportunity to take inventory of our light diet ( both electric/ artificial & daylight) that we are currently exposed to and spark a conversation about how it influences a myriad of things – ranging from our sleep cycles, mood, performance, even purchasing decisions to safety and energy efficiency.

Inextricably, linked to all this is our circadian system. A 24hr body clock that is entrained to light and most commonly associated with our sleep & wake cycles. Until just over a century ago, our bodies were instructed and nourished by full spectrum sunlight and its natural shift into night dictated by nature. With most of our time being spent indoors and the climbing spike in visual impairment – well designed lighting is becoming more essential than ever.

Even the slightest adjustments such as replacing a few light bulbs with different CCTs (colour temperatures) and repositioning fixtures can drastically improve quality of life. With thoughtful lighting we can effectively impact our health, mood and performance while considering energy consumption and light pollution/ trespass.

As a student of light and lighting industry EP ( emerging professional) and while studying for my WELL AP, this project enables me to share and develop skills and knowledge, while giving back in a way that is intended to create value.

Lighting is an extremely complex subject and omnipresent force that is experiencing seismic shifts and developments in all facets of its industry and beyond.

By socializing light, through a combination of B2B and community outreach initiatives and complimentary initial consultations – the demand for and access to better, healthier lighting can gain the momentum it needs to be considered a higher priority and integrated into policy and design sooner.

“The flood will always cost more than the dam”. -Unknown

Main Objectives of this project:

1. Raising a fundamental awareness about lighting quality and its effects on one’s circadian health and wellness and its role in ones immediate environments; home, work, play, roadway and outdoors for a diverse community each with unique needs.
2. Energy efficiency – retrofitting to LEDS and improving/ introducing the use of controls and occupancy sensors.
3. Identify opportunities for growth of a sustainable lighting industry in the Kootenay’s.
4. Generating new jobs, contracts and educational opportunities for local service providers and suppliers.
5. Improve supply chain for lighting products; lamps, fixtures, controls and services to end users.
6. Refine this website, concept and process from a prototype passion project to a transferable template that can be activated by a lighting advocate in any location.

Key Areas of Concern:

1. Blue light exposure: too much and not enough, quality of spectrum > circadian rhythm interference ( sleep, alertness…).
2. Glare and flicker ( contributes to visual impairment and many health related issues).
3. Energy consumption: legacy lighting systems and resistance to new technology such as lighting controls an occupancy sensors. The general confusion, minimal promotion, product limitations and bureaucracy that surrounds lighting rebates and incentives which deters people from participating in these programs.
4. Unsafe lighting for seniors, the visually impaired, children and those afflicted with autism and dementia.
5. Employees subject to stressful lighting situations both at home office and external offices.
6. Public spaces – for way finding and safety, commercial curb appeal, community interaction and respect for DarkSky guidelines.
7. Inadequate light levels or too much light in spaces that we occupy the most.
8. Orientation of space, fixtures and finishes that compromise light quality.
9. Daylight – is this optimized and also how does solar gain effect the heat and A/C usage.
10. Improper use and disposal of light sources. CFLs contain mercury vapour.
11. Lighting layouts that are not accessible for those with disabilities.
12. The absence of conversation about lighting among high level decision makers and as a consideration, especially during the design phase of projects builds.
13. Unsightly dangers of exposed (usually (C)FLs) in homes and pubic spaces.

Consultation is designed for:

1. Those simply wanting to improve their current lighting and want to identify areas of concern.
2. Those that are subject to old fluorescent lights as main light source.
3. Those that have very limited or no daylight in their space, or sense too much light.
4. Those that have problems with sleep and concentration.
5. People with autism and dementia.
6. Shift workers.
7. Those with visual impairments.
8. Children & seniors.
9. Shift workers & those prone to SAD ( Seasonal Affective Disorder)
10. Businesses that want to improve patron experience and bottom line $.
11. Those doing/ considering retrofits/ renovations.
12. Those concerned about energy consumption, savings and efficiency for the environment.
13. Those working and/ or studying from home.
14. Renters who are not permitted to make changes to unit or not incentivized to do so.
15. Travellers experiencing jet lag.
16. Those looking for an alternate way to address/ prevent health issues through general light exposure.
17. Those curious about the benefits of specific light therapy resources, practicioners and devices: chronotherapy, NIR/ Red Light Therapy (photobiomodulation)

REQUEST CONSULTATION

Disclaimer: This site is a work in progress and volunteer operated.