Elevating the Art and Science of Lighting
An Inside Look at Barrett’s Technology Solutions’ Exclusive Lighting Lab Event for Chicago’s Top Designers and Architects
When creating a truly extraordinary living space, lighting is everything. This is not just mere illumination; lighting sets the mood, creates ambiance, and brings out the best of a home's architecture and decor. At Barrett's Technology Solutions, we understand this, and that's why we created a unique demonstration experience showcasing the latest technology and techniques in lighting control systems and design.
Recently, we hosted a two-day event that brought together top architects, designers, and contractors from the Chicago area to discuss the latest innovations in lighting. In this blog, we’ll take you behind the scenes of this exclusive event and show you how Barrett’s is helping our clients and partners take full advantage of lighting technology in their projects.
SEE MORE: How Our New Lighting Lab Can Enhance Your Lighting Design
Our Lighting Lab
In 2022, Barrett’s recognized a need for a hands-on, experiential space where design professionals could see, feel, and interact with the latest lighting systems before incorporating them into their projects. That’s how our lighting in Lombard came to life.
The goal wasn't to build a typical lighting showroom; we wanted a place where our trade partners and clients could be exposed to various lighting setups, from overhead ambient lighting to the latest dimming and color technologies. The lab offers a unique opportunity to compare different lighting options side-by-side, allowing designers to visualize how various lighting elements can work together to enhance a space. Whether it's understanding the nuances of beam spread, experimenting with color temperature, or exploring the benefits of low-voltage lighting solutions, the lighting lab provides a comprehensive toolkit for anyone involved in the design process. Barrett's made a significant investment in this space so our clients and partners can see and feel the effects of different lighting designs and technology.
The July Event
This past July, we opened the doors of the lighting lab to a select group of Chicago's top architects, designers, and contractors for an exclusive two-day event. Held on July 24th and 25th, the event was designed to provide these professionals with hands-on experience with the latest advancements in lighting control systems and technologies.
We structured the event in a way that each attendee received a personalized experience. Barrett's hosted 33 attendees who participated in company-specific walkthroughs of the lab. The sessions allowed each group to experience the various lighting setups and see firsthand the difference that intentional lighting design can make. One of the key highlights of the event was the demonstration of Ketra-equipped spaces, showcasing the power of dynamic tunable lighting in transforming environments.
A major attraction of the event was the presence of David Warfel, a renowned lighting designer from Light Can Help You. His presentation provided valuable insights into the planning and execution of effective lighting design. Attendees were also treated to live demonstrations in Barrett’s fully-equipped Ketra conference room, where they could see how different lighting control systems can be integrated into real-world settings.
Of course, we wanted our attendees to have some fun along with the education. Guests were offered refreshments throughout the day, including breakfast treats, lunches, and a selection of delicious macarons to keep energy levels high. The feedback we received from them in a post-event survey confirmed their appreciation of the event and that they left with more knowledge about lighting design and technology that they can use in their future projects.
Our lighting lab is more than a tech showcase; it's a practical source for our partners in Chicago's design community. Offering a hands-on environment allows architects, designers, and homeowners to explore and understand the impact of advanced lighting control systems. Want to work with a lighting partner who understands how light can help you? Get in touch with us here. We're eager to help.
