Beyond Illumination: Thoughtful Lighting Design Transforms Laboratory Functionality and Sustainability

2025 Lab Design Conference speaker—Colin Conroy, associate vice president, WSP

Lighting may often be seen as a functional afterthought, but as highlighted in the 2025 Lab Design Conference session Beyond Illumination: Enhancing Laboratories through Thoughtful Lighting Design, it's anything but.

Led by Colin Conroy, associate vice president, and Shannon Kaplan, senior vice president, both of WSP, the session presented a compelling case for how deliberate lighting choices can significantly enhance safety, comfort, energy efficiency, and even scientific accuracy in laboratory environments.

Lighting as a critical design element

"Lighting is important in every space, but more so in lab spaces," Conroy emphasized early in the session. Laboratories require visual clarity to prevent costly mistakes and support the demanding, often prolonged tasks performed by researchers. In that context, the speakers identified five critical aspects of effective lab lighting design: light intensity, color temperature, color rendering index (CRI), glare, and uniformity.

Light intensity—measured in foot-candles in the US (a non-SI unit of illuminance or light intensity; the foot-candle is defined as one lumen per square foot)—is foundational. Conroy explained that the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommends 75 foot-candles on laboratory benches. However, he added, "We've seen standards range from 75 to 100 to 120 foot-candles," reinforcing the importance of tailoring lighting levels to the specific needs of lab users.

Read more about Shannon and Colin’s key takeaways for lab lighting projects, hobbies, and favorite vacation spots in our Professional Profile series!

While intensity is typically the most recognized factor, Kaplan was quick to remind attendees that "they're all important." She illustrated this by referencing high-pressure sodium parking lot lighting that renders people ghostly: "Now imagine if that was the light in your lab," she said. "You would suddenly think that color rendering index was a lot more important."

Human-centric and circadian-aware design

Beyond brightness and clarity, well-designed lighting has a significant impact on both physical and mental well-being. "Circadian rhythm is important for the health of that person in the space," Conroy explained, referencing the role of tunable color temperature and access to daylight—or artificial daylight-mimicking systems—in supporting occupant health.

Kaplan shared a story about her sister, a scientist, who called her unprompted to vent about the lighting and controls in her lab. "If you're thinking that it's hard to get people to want to talk about this, if you get them in the right mood, it is very easy to get them to share," Kaplan noted. She urged designers to ask better questions—offering specific options instead of vague, open-ended inquiries—to understand user needs fully.

The second half of the session dove into lighting controls, an area both presenters tackled with equal parts technical insight and real-world wisdom. From basic dimmer switches to daylight dimming and occupancy sensors, control strategies can vary widely, and their success often depends as much on user behavior as on the technology itself.

"Turns out that a post-it note over [a daylight sensor] will make it always dark in the sensor's mind," Kaplan quipped, highlighting how quickly lab users will circumvent systems they don't understand or that cause discomfort. The fix? Communication. "You might actually be more comfortable with [the controls] if you understand what they are and what they're doing."

Kaplan stressed the role of energy codes, particularly IECC 2021, which imposes strict zoning, automatic shutoff, and daylight dimming requirements. Labs, particularly those with large windows, are not exempt from this requirement. Designers must also contend with lighting power density (LPD) limits. "You might want 100 light fixtures over your lab bench... but we have to limit what's the maximum amount of energy we can use," she said.

Fixture types, specialty labs, and energy implications

2025 Lab Design Conference speaker—Shannon Kaplan, senior vice president, WSP

The session also reviewed typical and specialty lighting fixtures used in labs—such as recessed downlights, linear pendants, and under-cabinet task lights—and when to use them. For example, linear pendants may be preferable in labs with high ceilings, while under-cabinet lighting becomes essential when overhead fixtures are blocked by shelving.

In specialized environments, such as BSL-3 and vivarium spaces, lighting systems must meet additional criteria. For BSL labs, fixtures must be sealed and gasketed, with high IP ratings to withstand the rigorous containment requirements. For vivariums, circadian lighting that supports animal sleep cycles is essential, often utilizing red-spectrum light to allow staff visibility without disrupting the research subjects.

Conroy also presented lighting strategies from several recent projects, including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, the Rutgers Cancer Institute, and Atlas Pharmaceuticals. These case studies demonstrated how fixture selection, ceiling height, reflectance values, and bench locations all converge in practical design. "The most important thing for us to know is where's the furniture and what are the colors in that room," he said.

Lighting for decarbonization and sustainability

A recurring theme throughout the Lab Design Conference session was the potential of lighting to contribute to decarbonization efforts. Modern LED systems drastically reduce lighting energy use. Coupled with smart controls and daylight harvesting, they also reduce cooling loads, amplifying energy savings.

Kaplan summed up the sustainable design mindset well: "Review the light sources in your lab. How much energy are they using? Are we over-providing light and therefore over-using energy? Can we come up with a replacement plan?"

Key takeaways

Conroy and Kaplan closed with several practical steps lab designers and owners can take:

• Audit your current lighting systems for energy use and light quality.

• Replace outdated technology with LEDs and incorporate dimming controls.

• Conduct interviews with users to align lighting strategies with their actual needs.

• Zone lighting carefully to reduce unnecessary energy consumption.

• Plan lighting and controls with compliance in mind, especially as energy codes continue to tighten.

Their overarching message was simple but profound: Lighting matters—not just for visibility, but for performance, health, safety, and sustainability.

As Conroy concluded, "Choosing the right type of lighting for laboratories is crucial for accurate and safe laboratory work." Thanks to thoughtful design, lighting can now do far more than just illuminate. It can enhance every aspect of lab performance—from people to planet.

Discover how to make informed choices about lighting, casework, furniture, and other essential design elements at the 2026 Lab Design Conference, taking place May 11–14 in Orlando, FL. Connect with industry experts and peers, earn AIA credits, and take part in lab tours and hands-on workshops that bring best practices to life. Visit https://www.labdesignconference.com/ for registration updates.