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Can Better Lighting Unlock a Healthier, Higher-Performing Office? by Fabio Zaniboni

William Attardi on February 21, 2026

Outdated lighting can hurt employee performance—but replacing it with human-centric smart lighting systems can restore productivity while operating efficiently. Here’s how.

  • Traditional office lighting often causes eye strain and fatigue, negatively impacting employee performance and well-being.
  • Human-centric smart lighting systems mimic natural daylight, supporting circadian rhythms and improving sleep quality and alertness.
  • Data-enabled lighting provides real-time insights into space utilization, enabling more efficient energy use and workspace optimization.
  • Personalized lighting controls empower employees, enhancing their comfort and perceived productivity in hybrid work environments.
  • Adopting wellness-focused lighting aligns with standards like WELL and LEED, giving organizations a competitive edge in attracting top talent.

Can Better Lighting Unlock a Healthier, Higher-Performing Office? | Buildings

DesignLights Consortium Seeks Self-Nominations for Industry Advisory Committee Members

William Attardi on August 22, 2025

The DesignLights Consortium today announced it is accepting self-nominations through October 3 from lighting industry representatives interested in serving on the DLC Industry Advisory Committee (IAC). An advisory body that meets quarterly, the IAC supports the mission and strategic direction of the DLC to promote the adoption of quality lighting and controls technology through education, collaborations, and expertise. Its activities include consideration of DLC business updates, programs to enhance lighting quality, utility lighting program participation, and ongoing opportunities, challenges, and potential risks related to advancement of energy-saving lighting technologies. The DLC is seeking new members for a two-year term that begins the third quarter of 2025 from the following organization types:

    • Small lighting manufacturers (companies with fewer than 250 employees, with product(s) listed on the DLC’s Solid-State Lighting or Horticultural Qualified Products Lists)
    • Lighting specifiers, including designers, energy service companies, consulting engineers and integrators
    • Lighting distributors.

The DLC is gathering self-nominations through an online form, must be submitted by October 3.

The Role of Energy Audits in Enhancing Facility Performance by Ellie Gabel

William Attardi on March 4, 2025

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), approximately 30% of the money used to power buildings — around $400 billion annually — is wasted yearly. A professional-grade energy audit can help facility managers reduce electricity expenses without compromising comfort or safety. During a commercial energy audit, an auditor assesses how, where and why a facility consumes power. They aim to address inefficiencies and identify areas of opportunity, enabling a substantial energy consumption reduction. Whatever the audit’s results, management will receive a baseline on the property’s energy consumption, waste and reuse effectiveness rating. They can use this data to identify pain points, explore areas of opportunity, or prioritize equipment upgrades. Nearly 40% of a building’s energy usage can be attributed to lighting. Replacing outdated lighting fixtures with more energy efficient options can drastically reduce those costs. The Role Of Energy Audits In Enhancing Facility Performance

Happy St. Patrick’s Day—whether you’re going fact or legend, it’s a great excuse to celebrate!

St. Patrick is a mix of solid historical fact and popular myth/legend that grew over centuries. He was a real historical figure—a British-born missionary (likely from what is now Scotland or northern England/Wales area) who lived in the 5th century (roughly 385–461 AD). His birth name was probably Maewyn Succat, and he became known as Patricius (Patrick) later. He wrote two surviving documents: his Confessio (Confession) and a letter to Coroticus, which are the main primary sources about his life. These confirm he was kidnapped by Irish raiders as a teenager, enslaved in Ireland for about six years (herding sheep), escaped, trained for the church, and returned as a missionary bishop to convert the Irish to Christianity. He wasn’t the first Christian in Ireland—some communities already existed—but he’s credited with major missionary work and is the patron saint of Ireland.

Many beloved St. Patrick’s Day traditions and stories are myths or later embellishments: Myth: He drove the snakes out of Ireland. Completely legendary. Ireland has had no native snakes since the last Ice Age (about 10,000+ years ago)—the post-glacial island was isolated, and snakes never recolonized it. The “snakes” story symbolizes driving out paganism or “evil”  but it’s not historical. Myth: He used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. This is a charming story, but it doesn’t show up in Patrick’s own writings or early biographies. While the shamrock (a three-leaf clover) became a symbol of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, the Trinity analogy is probably a later invention. Myth: St. Patrick was Irish by birth. No—he was Romano-British, captured and brought to Ireland against his will. Other common myths: Green wasn’t always the color associated with him or the holiday; massive parades and “wearing of the green” became big in America first; he didn’t drink green beer or eat corned beef and cabbage, those are more modern Irish-American traditions. In short: The man himself is fact—a brave, devout missionary who helped spread Christianity in Ireland. But many of the fun, magical tales attached to him are myths.

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