In the last few years, the world of property development has changed dramatically. Where developments are popping up and how they’re being built has largely been dictated by the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, more people than ever are moving out of major city centers and into smaller satellite cities or rural areas. Because of this, the demand for higher density housing in previously low-density areas has skyrocketed. Not to mention people’s living and working habits have also changed post 2020.
Right now, more people are working from home than ever before, which means that many apartments are also doubling as office space. Because of the recent societal changes, developers have had to adjust every aspect of apartment complex design. Today, we are going to be focusing specifically on lighting and the recent trends that are expected to become industry standard in the coming years. We’ll be going over how PoE lighting fixtures and LED lights allow for greater control and lower energy consumption—plus we’ll be discussing how natural lighting has become a top priority for prospective tenants. Let’s get started !
Table of Contents
PoE Lighting Fixtures
With PoE lighting, inhabitants can optimize their interior lighting without any manual interference
Intuitive lighting is a major perk for many prospective tenants.
One of the major developments in lighting design that is slowly being introduced into apartment complexes is PoE lighting. PoE stands for Power over Ethernet, which means that the lighting fixtures are connected to a control system via Ethernet cables. These Ethernet cables are able to both transmit commands and power individual lighting fixtures. In the past, it would have been necessary to provide a separate power source in order to attain the same functionality. However, with PoE technology, apartment buildings are able to power fixtures using only ethernet cables.
In practice, PoE lighting can be applied across a host of different use cases. For example, if individual apartments are equipped with intuitive lighting options, it will set the unit apart from others on the market. Using lighting sensors, luxury apartments can automatically adjust lighting depending on the amount of natural sunlight coming in the room. This means that the inhabitants never have to worry about adjusting the lighting, since it is always providing sufficient light—no matter what is happening outside.
On a large scale, developers can use PoE lighting to light the exterior of the building as well. By taking advantage of the same lighting sensors, the developers and building managers can ensure that the outside of the building is properly lit.
Low-Voltage LED Lights
LEDs—when paired with PoE fixtures can make apartments more appealing and help building managers save energy
LEDs provide superior lighting with increased controls.
Another big concern for both developers and the general public is energy consumption. This is in part due to both the environmental concerns and the ever rising energy costs across the globe. In order to cut down on energy usage, developers are opting to use low-voltage LED lights instead of incandescent or fluorescent lights. LEDs allow for the capabilities we previously mentioned like PoE intuitive lighting, while also operating at a far lower voltage and using far less energy.
From a development standpoint, LEDs are beneficial for saving money on both building and installation costs. Since the LEDs only require a low voltage, installation poses less of a risk as opposed to installing high-voltage cables.
LEDs also help save on operating costs. Surveys have shown that developments can save up to 90% of their monthly lighting costs. LEDs are also able to operate at a low voltage without sacrificing lighting quality—making them the perfect choice for apartment complexes.
Not only do LEDs use less energy, they are also much more durable and last longer than other lighting methods. Incandescent and fluorescent bulbs need to be replaced frequently and are also far more prone to breakage—which can be dangerous. Since LEDs are not made from glass, they pose very little risk and require virtually no maintenance beyond dusting. This is beneficial both for inhabitants and building managers as less maintenance is required within apartments, common areas, and outdoor areas.
Prioritizing Natural Lighting
Because so many people are working from home, more natural in an apartment light is required to stay productive
Natural lighting helps keep our body and mind on track.
It is no secret that people need natural light to keep themselves on track. Our circadian rhythm depends on the rising and setting of the sun, which lets us know when it’s time to wake up and when it’s time to rest. In order to make apartments appealing for tenants, developers need to design complexes to include as much natural light as possible in both private apartments and common areas. In fact, many people searching for an apartment list large windows or natural light as one of their top priorities. For many people, their apartment is also their office, so natural light isn’t just a preference, it is a way to stay productive at work.
Unfortunately, not every apartment and space in an apartment complex will receive a lot of natural light—especially if there are many surrounding buildings. In order to make up for a lack of natural light, developers should plan to install intuitive LED lights powered by PoE so that tenants still receive the optimal amount of light during the day.
Increased Outdoor Lighting
Better outdoor lighting decreased the risk of accidental injury and helps visitors and residents feel safe
People feel safer when all facilities are well lit and maintained.
When we think of apartment living, we often only think about the actual apartment. However, the outside and surrounding facilities also play a big part in why people choose to live where they live. Because of this, it is extremely important to make sure that all residents and visitors feel safe while they are on the property. One way to make sure that people feel comfortable is by amplifying the amount and the level of outdoor lighting used to illuminate the building, the surrounding area, and all other facilities—like a parking garage.
Greater illumination also makes the building more secure. Should there be any attempted robberies or break-ins the well illuminated area equipped with visible security cameras should be enough to deter potential intruders.
With more people working from home and the world constantly changing, these 4 lighting trends respond to the current demands of the real estate market. While we may not always consider lighting a top priority, it is actually one of the most important design elements to consider when designing, developing, and building an apartment complex. Not only do these lighting trends benefit the tenants living in the complex, they also help building managers cut energy costs and introduce more durable lighting fixtures. Considering all of the benefits associated with the current lighting trends, it is expected that these trends will become industry standard in the near future.
