Working Together

Our Process is Flexible, Adaptable, and Fluent

Studio Adelia has an Ethos, not a Style. They know taste, positioning, and architectural theory. They know it’s rarely about light. They use the language of light to compose a holistic human-centered experience.

Working together starts with a CONVERSATION. We want to know everything - what is the heart of the project, what is driving the design, who it matters to, who will use it, what it looks like - and most of all, WHY IT MATTERS. We ask a LOT of questions to UNDERSTAND what outcomes all stakeholders hope to achieve. With that, a brief is developed and design analysis begins.

Developing the Concept

With a background in architectural history and spatial theory, we start by analyzing the context, location, history, and user experience. Then we look at the constraints of the building and place; the structural composition, style, and materiality; daylighting opportunities, specific project design drivers, and key opportunities for innovation. As informed designers, we develop lighting concepts. Concepts can be philosophical, functional, topical, or even spiritual. They can have meaningful overlays that serve as guiding principals, or be more straightforward and budget driven.

Conceptual planning involves defining the key feelings a person might want to experience in each space, or along a spatial journey. Planning can also address critical brand moments, wayfinding, color, and control strategies. Key views, renderings, visual diagrams, or details may be provided to communicate the design objectives and strategies for the design team and client. We develop this in coordination with and to help define the project’s lighting budget.

Functional, Compositional Analysis

After concepts are established, we define the functional light levels and lighting control strategy required for the project. Informed primarily by the concept, layers of light are introduced to define each space three-dimensionally. Specific layers of light may be advised to balance daylight, accent materials and special features, provide sufficient task lighting, or serve the experience at different times of day. Layered architectural lighting is built around and in concert with the decorative lighting scheme, furniture layout, and art program. The creative vision and aesthetic style of the Interior Designer is imperative to inform a responsive lighting design. Without an interiors driven lighting design, spaces may end up with a grid of downlights that look great on paper but lack dimensionality and impact.

Informed Design Documentation

With approved strategies in place, we create a lighting layout and select architectural light fixtures. We work with the Interior Designer on their decorative fixture layout and selection, help them select retrofit bulbs, and dial in all fixture finishes. We coordinate all lighting to work with a control system that achieves the desired dimming performance and preset scenes throughout the course of the 24-hour day. We work with our electrical partners to achieve energy goals and code compliance, and work with our lighting agents to budget the lighting package and review fixture samples.

We study the aiming angles of fixtures to avoid glare, conceal unwanted views of the fixture, properly illuminate artwork, and contain the concentration of light to a desired area. We mock-up our theories to verify lighting strategies for specific materials and then work with the Architect to document the critical integrated design details required for success. With a thorough documentation deliverable, and coordinated team effort, the design is buildable and maintainable.