Public & Communal Space Lighting

Illumination Management Services is a leading provider of lighting solutions, specializing in maintenance and installations for commercial, residential, and public buildings. We harness the power of light to enhance safety, productivity, and aesthetics in every environment we touch.

Types of Communal Areas That Require Specific Lighting Systems

For public spaces in multi-family buildings and communal areas in commercial buildings, proper illumination and installation are crucial for enhancing the overall appeal of the area. Lighting plays a significant role in creating a welcoming and functional environment. Below are the different spaces that require lighting in communal areas, along with the recommended types of lighting for each space and the reasons for their enhancement:

Lobbies/Entrance Areas:

Lighting Type: A combination of ambient and accent lighting. Chandeliers or pendant lights can be used as focal points for ambient illumination, while wall sconces or spotlights can provide accent lighting to highlight artwork or architectural features.
Reasons for Enhancement: The entrance area sets the first impression for visitors and potential buyers or tenants. Properly lit lobbies create a sense of luxury and comfort, making the building more attractive and welcoming.

Hallways/Corridors:

Lighting Type: Evenly distributed ambient lighting using recessed ceiling fixtures or linear LED lights. Emergency and exit lighting is required to provide adequate signage in case of an emergency or power outage.
Reasons for Enhancement: Well-lit hallways ensure safety and ease of navigation for residents, visitors, and staff. Adequate lighting can also help in reducing accidents and enhancing the overall aesthetics.

Staircases:

Lighting Type: Step lights or LED strips along the stair edges combined with ambient lighting for safety and visual appeal. Emergency lighting is required if the staircase contains no natural ambient light.
Reasons for Enhancement: Staircases require sufficient illumination to prevent accidents and ensure residents and visitors can use them comfortably, especially during low-light conditions.

Elevators:

Lighting Type: Bright and energy-efficient lighting such as LED panels or downlights.
Reasons for Enhancement: Elevators with proper lighting feel safer and more inviting, especially during nighttime or in poorly lit surroundings.

Bathrooms:

Lighting Type: A combination of bright task lighting around mirrors and adequate ambient lighting for the entire space. Wall-mounted fixtures or overhead lights work well for ambient illumination, while sconces or LED strips around mirrors offer excellent task lighting.
Reasons for Enhancement: Proper lighting in bathrooms ensures that users can comfortably perform tasks like grooming and personal care. It also enhances the visual appeal and cleanliness of the space.

Lounges/Common Rooms:

Lighting Type: A mix of ambient and accent lighting, depending on the lounge’s purpose and design. Pendant lights or chandeliers for ambient lighting, combined with floor or table lamps for accent lighting, can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Reasons for Enhancement: Lounges and common rooms are gathering spaces for residents or employees, where they socialize and relax. Adequate lighting enhances the ambiance and encourages people to utilize these spaces, promoting a sense of community and well-being.

Outdoor Spaces (Patios, Rooftops, Courtyards):

Lighting Type: Outdoor-rated fixtures such as wall sconces, string lights, or landscape lighting.
Reasons for Enhancement: Well-lit outdoor spaces allow residents or building occupants to use these areas during evenings and nights, extending the usability and attractiveness of the communal spaces.

Enhancing communal areas with proper lighting not only adds value to the building but also improves the residents’ or occupants’ quality of living. Well-lit spaces contribute to a sense of safety, comfort, and community, making the building more appealing and enjoyable for all those who utilize it. Additionally, thoughtful illumination can enhance the architectural features and design elements, creating a positive impact on overall aesthetics.

Commercial Buildings

For businesses housed in offices or retail establishments, we recognize the significance of lighting in shaping both customer experiences and employee productivity. Our services range from proactive maintenance to the design and installation of advanced lighting systems that uplift the ambiance, boost business appeal, and reduce energy costs. IMS is a full-service lighting and electrical company for property managers in the Bay Area with decades of experience in installing, updating, or completely renovating lighting systems in communal areas for large and small commercial buildings. Some of the specific lighting systems we consider depending on the space includes:

LED Retrofitting: Ideal for commercial building corridors, lobbies, restrooms, and lounges, LED lighting is energy-efficient, provides excellent light quality, and has a longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting.
Occupancy Sensors: Particularly useful in public restrooms and storage rooms, these sensors detect activity and switch lights on or off accordingly, improving energy efficiency and convenience.
High CRI Lighting: For retail spaces, high Color Rendering Index (CRI) lighting can make products look more vibrant and appealing, enhancing customer shopping experiences.
Dimmable Lighting: In lounges, meeting rooms or shared workspaces, dimmable lights allow the flexibility to adjust light levels to suit different activities or times of day.
Emergency and Exit Lighting: Mandatory in commercial buildings, these lights ensure safe navigation in the event of a power outage or emergency.
Decorative Lighting: Used in hallways, lounges, and reception areas, decorative lights can accent architectural details, artwork, or create a specific mood.
Recessed Lighting: This type of lighting is flush with the ceiling, providing a clean, streamlined look that’s perfect for modern commercial spaces. It’s ideal for corridors, lobbies, and even retail spaces.
Automated Lighting Systems: These allow you to control and adjust all the lighting in the building from a central point, promoting energy efficiency and ease of use.
Task Lighting: In communal workspaces, task lights provide focused illumination for specific tasks, enhancing productivity and comfort.
Biodynamic Lighting: Particularly beneficial in shared workspaces, this lighting changes throughout the day to mimic natural sunlight, promoting wellbeing and productivity.

Our professional team can perform a thorough assessment of your communal areas and recommend the best lighting solutions to meet your unique needs.

Residential Buildings

Multifamily complexes and condominiums require comprehensive lighting solutions that cater to individual privacy and communal harmony. Our lighting solutions for residential buildings promote safety, visibility, and energy efficiency. We ensure well-lit common areas like lobbies, hallways, and parking lots while considering the aesthetic needs of residents and property managers.

LED Lighting: LED lights in hallways, restrooms, common areas, and other high-traffic spaces can save energy and reduce maintenance due to their long lifespan.
Occupancy Sensors: For public restrooms, laundry rooms, and storage areas, occupancy sensors can help conserve energy by automatically turning lights on when the space is occupied and off when it’s vacant.
Security Lighting: In townhouse rows, apartment gyms, pools, and parking areas, robust security lighting is essential for safety and deterrence of unwanted activity.
Pool and Landscape Lighting: Enhance safety and aesthetics around pools and landscaped areas with a combination of uplighting, downlighting, and pathway lights.
Decorative Lighting: Use decorative lighting in lounges, lobbies, and rooftops to create a warm, inviting ambiance. This can include pendant lights, wall sconces, and chandeliers.
Dimmable Lighting: Ideal for lounges and rooftop areas, dimmable lights can be adjusted to suit the mood or event taking place.
Task Lighting: For gyms and other activity-based communal spaces, task lighting can provide focused light where needed.
Emergency and Exit Lighting: It’s crucial to have emergency lighting and well-lit exit signs in all communal spaces to ensure safe evacuation during power outages or emergencies.
Eco-friendly Lighting: Consider solar-powered lights for outdoor areas like walkways, gardens, and rooftops for an environmentally friendly and cost-effective lighting solution.
Smart Lighting Systems: Automate your building’s lighting with systems that can be controlled from a central device. This can significantly increase energy efficiency and ease of use.

Each residential community has unique needs and requirements. At Illumination Management Services, our team of experts will work with you to create a bespoke lighting solution that enhances safety, aesthetic appeal, and energy efficiency in your communal spaces.

Public Buildings

Public buildings such as libraries and city buildings have unique lighting needs. Proper illumination can help create an inviting atmosphere, improve accessibility, and support the wide variety of activities that occur in these spaces. From maximizing reading comfort in libraries to spotlighting the grandeur of city buildings, we offer customized lighting solutions that cater to the unique challenges of these environments.

Illuminating Public Spaces

Our lighting management services are tailored to a variety of public spaces including parks, outdoor plazas, sports facilities, walkways, stairways, and more. We understand that proper lighting in these areas can greatly enhance community safety, enable continued usage after dark, and contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the locale.

Enhancing Quality of Life and Building Value

At Illumination Management Services, we believe in the transformative power of good lighting.

For commercial and residential buildings, high-quality lighting can increase property value, enhance curb appeal, and lower energy costs. In public spaces, adequate and well-planned lighting can reduce the risk of accidents, deter crime, and create a welcoming environment that encourages community engagement.

For businesses, smart lighting can positively impact customer perceptions, drive sales, and increase employee productivity. In residential settings, it contributes to a sense of comfort, security, and satisfaction. And this applies not just to the main features of the property but also to the entire experience and layout of the building, including spaces that people travel through or use that are not always considered with the same level of care as the main highlights. Every space working in concert to create a cohesively lit building that enchants and comforts visitors is the pinnacle of well-designed lighting systems and plans that IMS wants to help you create.

We harness the power of lighting to drive tangible improvements in quality of life and value for everyone – residents, workers, visitors, and property owners alike.

At Illumination Management Services, we don’t just provide light – we create environments where everyone can thrive. Reach out to us today to explore how we can illuminate your world.

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