3.1.2. GSA P-100, Chapter 9
The guidance in the "Lighting System" section of Chapter 9 could be incrementally
improved to more specifically incorporate the guidance in this section.
3.2 Design and Application Strategies
Practical application of the most appropriate energy efficient technologies in a high quality
lighting design involves many variables including technology, tasks, visual performance, human
preferences and comfort, costs, architecture, and implementation. This section provides specific
suggestions for consideration about the art and science of energy efficient lighting in a courtroom.
As a general rule, the lighting design should be responsive to the task activities in the courtroom.
3.2.1. Light for the Task
Lighting solutions should vary depending on task needs. In the case of courtroom lighting,
the tasks vary significantly between the well of the courtroom where the judge, jury, and
legal counsel are located, and the spectator areas.
3.2.1.1. Judge, Jury and Legal Counsel
The lighting in the well of the courtroom is where the most important and varied
activity of the courtroom takes place, and the design and lighting levels should reflect
this. Because the activities change throughout the courtroom proceedings and the
lighting levels will need to be raised and lowered accordingly, control systems need to
be adequately integrated with the lighting design. Critical tasks include viewing of
witnesses, evidence, A/V presentations, paper and computers.
3.2.1.2. Spectator Areas
In most of the courtrooms reviewed for this report, the design solutions for the well and
audience seating area were similar. Energy savings will be improved by lowering the
lighting levels in the spectator areas, as the illuminance requirement is significantly less
than in the courtroom well. If the design team wants the same "look and feel"
throughout the courtroom, the luminaire can look similar while still consuming less
wattage. For instance, if a suspended luminous bowl luminaire is used, the lamps and
ballasts for the spectator area can be reduced from those the courtroom well, or the size
of the bowl can be smaller but the style can be the same.
3.2.2. Layers of Light
To achieve better energy efficiency in the courtroom, the design strategy of using layers of
light is a necessity. These different layers can be accomplished with a variety of different
luminaires, but each layer has a mission-critical task. This section will cover the following
types of layers: direct, indirect, wall washing, and task lighting.
In all cases the color rendering should be attractive and consistent across the different
sources, with a Color Rendering Index higher than 80. The layers are comprised of several
components:
March 2006
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