GSA
Courtroom Lighting Criteria Evaluation
Task 1 Report
Tallahassee, Florida (Annex)
5.4
5.4.1
Lighting Scheme
The Tallahassee courthouse has gone through a series of renovations to the lighting
scheme after the original scheme was found as unacceptable. For this study, one of the
renovated courtrooms was documented under several lighting conditions.
Based on the conversations with the users of this courtroom, the addition of an indirect
linear fluorescent uplight has solved most of tecut o s rb ms i rg rso
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lighting. This condition was surveyed, as well as a condition without the uplight, which is
similar to the original scheme.
5.4.1.1
Original Lighting Scheme
The original lighting scheme for this courtroom consisted mainly of an array of compact
fluorescent downlights in the ceiling with supplemental wall sconces that provided
uplighting. A skylight in the center of the sloped ceiling contributed daylight to the space.
The density of downlights was greater over the front of the courtroom.
5.4.1.2
Revised Lighting Scheme
Several revisions were made to the original scheme before it was deemed acceptable to
the users of the courtroom.
The original compact fluorescent downlights were replaced with tungsten halogen
PAR38 downlights, likely with 150W or 250W lamps.
Downlights were added around the perimeter of the room to wash the walls
The original uplighting sconces were replaced with more traditional diffusing sconces.
A large square low profile linear fluorescent uplight was added to provide indirect
lighting.
The key to the changes seems to have been the addition of the linear indirect uplight,
since it provided a layer of diffuse indirect light that had not been present in the space
before, which is desirable in a space that utilizes directional downlights so heavily.
5.4.2
Lighting Control Scheme
The lighting control in this courtroom is provided by a scene-set dimming system. Pre-set
scenes are programmed into the control system, which can be selected by a controller at
the bench. The fluorescent uplight component has three lamps, which are switched in
sets of one and two lamps to allow different levels of lighting. It is mostly used with one
lamp switched on.
5.4.3
Daylight
A square clerestory skylight system in the center of the sloped roof provides a small but
significant amount of daylight to the space, allowing for the contribution of the better color
spectrum of daylight and a visual connection to the outside. The skylight can be closed
with motorized blackout shades. It is normally open, except when sunlight penetrates the
room and causes glare, at which time it is closed.
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Issue March 1, 2006
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