Items to Consider and AKLD Recommendations

Consideration 1 - Appearance/Performance

• The Ritz required a lighting solution that provided the guest with a welcoming, warm, residential environment.
• All lighting controls must deliver flicker free dimming, meet code, and be capable of remote operations.
• The most important factor in hospitality is the guest experience - AKLD needed to ensure the lighting delivered. First impressions are everything.

AKLD Recommendation 1 - Great Light Quality, High Color Rendering, Perfect Dimming

• AKLD was able to confirm that the selected products delivered the desired high-quality lighting.
• Product was selected based on the smoothness of the light beam and the ability to render fabric and skin tones in the most flattering manner.
• Certainty that quality of light remained as high when the light was dimmed as it did when on full brightness was essential.

Consideration 2 -Technology

• It was the expectation that the lighting solution was to be of the highest quality, last at least 20 years, be low maintenance, energy efficient, cost effective, and have ease of installation.
• The controls system equipment must be compatible and meet code.

AKLD Recommendation 2 - Code Compliance, Integral LED Light Engine, Compatible Drivers and Controls

• The availability and quality of lighting equipment with integral LED is constantly evolving and is at a level which the use of integral LED lighting engines was the best consideration.
• AKLD designed a future ready system:
  • Meeting the adopted code requirements.
  • Using use of compatible light engines, drivers, and controls. This included ensuring that dimmed equipment was grouped properly to eliminate any possibility of uneven dimming or annoying flickering.
  • TDeveloped a controls sequence of operations that offered the Ritz the right sized functionality within the budget.

Consideration 3 - Cost

• Cost is always a factor. When multiplying each individual cost times 450 rooms any decision can multiply exponentially.

AKLD Recommendation 3 - Save On Equipment Cost, Install Cost, and Maintenance Cost

• In evaluating the necessity of each and every fixture, AKLD was able to reduce the overall quantity of fixtures by a minimum of two fixtures per room by specifying high quality, current technology.
• Developing a multi name specification and competitively bidding was invaluable to providing the most beneficial equipment cost.
• The reduction of fixtures over the totality of the project greatly reduced the installation cost; why use two fixtures when one will do?
• The use of integral LED assured a single supplier of both LED light engines and drivers. This streamlined the procurement process and eliminated unnecessary compatibility challenges.
• Integral LED instead of the use of LED replacement lamps and MR16 transformers reduced size, weight, lead time, and failure rate of the installed equipment
• AKLD’s extreme attention to confirming equipment compatibility reduced costly and time-consuming troubleshooting after receipt of equipment in the field.

A Better Product for a Great Rate:

AKLD’s focus remained the delivery of a project that would provide the guest with a very positive first impression and the Ritz’s best value. The inclusion of an independent lighting designer to the project team made this project a success aesthetically, functionally, and financially. AKLD Lighting Design aided our client, and the owner, in savings, running smoothly, on time, and without headaches.

Value Delivered:

• Collaborative design process that included the owner, architect, interior designer, product manufacturers, competitive bidders, and hotel guest considerations
• Reduction in installation costs because of reduced fixtures
• Changing from halogen to LED fixtures and reduction in fixtures subsequently reduced energy cost
• Performance and functionality that accommodated the high-end expectations of both the Ritz and their guest expectations
• A better lighting project with minimal design fee and maximum savings