Architectural Lighting Designer for Residence

Project Overview We are seeking an experienced Architectural Lighting Designer to develop the complete lighting design for a premium private residence currently under development in Kampala, Uganda. The architectural design and spatial layouts are substantially developed, and an interior designer has established the overall interior design direction. We now require a specialist lighting designer to translate the architectural and interior design intent into a technically resolved, comfortable and sophisticated lighting scheme. This is a design and consultancy assignment only. The successful consultant will work remotely and prepare a lighting design package that will subsequently be handed over to our local MEP engineering team for integration into the final electrical and MEP construction drawings. The lighting designer should therefore be comfortable working collaboratively with architects, interior designers and MEP engineers. ⸻ Design Intent The residence follows a warm, sophisticated contemporary design language emphasizing: * Warm, layered lighting rather than harsh general illumination * Concealed and integrated architectural lighting * Minimal visible fixtures * Indirect ambient lighting * Carefully controlled accent lighting * Integration of lighting into ceilings, walls, joinery and architectural features * Visual comfort and glare reduction * Warm natural materials and finishes * Energy efficiency * Sensory comfort * Indoor/outdoor continuity We want the lighting to contribute significantly to the architectural experience of the residence rather than simply provide adequate illumination. ⸻ Scope of Work The consultant will review the architectural drawings, interior design concept and proposed ceiling treatments and develop a comprehensive architectural lighting design. 1. Lighting Design Strategy Develop the overall lighting philosophy covering: * Ambient lighting * Task lighting * Accent lighting * Decorative lighting * Indirect lighting * Cove and concealed lighting * Joinery lighting * Wall washing/grazing * Stair and low-level lighting * Night lighting * Exterior architectural lighting where applicable Recommend appropriate: * Colour temperatures * CRI requirements * Beam angles * Light levels * Fixture types * Glare-control strategies ⸻ 2. Room-by-Room Lighting Design Develop appropriate lighting for all principal spaces including: * Entrance and foyer * Living room * Dining room * Kitchen and pantry * Staircase * Family lounge * Piano room * Guest bedroom * Master bedroom * Dressing/closet areas * Children’s bedrooms and study areas * Bathrooms * Powder room * Wellness/fitness area * Corridors and circulation spaces * Utility/service areas * Balconies and terraces The design should respond to furniture positions, artwork, architectural features, joinery and intended activities rather than relying on repetitive grids of downlights. ⸻ 3. Reflected Ceiling / Lighting Plans Prepare detailed lighting layouts showing: * Exact luminaire positions * Luminaire types/tags * Linear lighting * Cove lighting * Recessed lighting * Pendant positions * Wall lighting * Joinery lighting * Floor/step lighting * Aiming directions where applicable * Relevant dimensions These drawings should be suitable for coordination with the architect, interior designer and MEP engineer. 4. Photometric Analysis Undertake appropriate lighting calculations using DIALux Evo, Relux, AGi32 or equivalent professional software. Provide: * Target and calculated illuminance levels * Uniformity where relevant * Glare considerations * Beam spread/coverage * False-colour or equivalent calculation outputs where useful Calculations should support the design rather than simply achieve arbitrary lux levels. ⸻ 5. Fixture Specification & Schedule Prepare a fixture schedule identifying: * Fixture reference/type * Application * Approximate wattage * Colour temperature * CRI * Beam angle * IP rating where relevant * Dimming requirements * Driver requirements * Recessed/surface/pendant mounting * Trim/trimless requirements We prefer performance-based specifications wherever practical, allowing equivalent fixtures to be sourced competitively from different manufacturers and markets. The design should not unnecessarily lock the project into a single premium lighting manufacturer. ⸻ 6. Lighting Controls & Automation Coordination Develop the lighting control intent including: * Dimming zones * Switching/control groups * Lighting scenes * Occupancy-based control where appropriate * Daylight-responsive control where appropriate * Night-time pathways * Entertainment scenes * Relaxation scenes * Cleaning/full-light scenes * Away/security modes The residence may subsequently use KNX, Loxone, DALI and/or Home Assistant. The lighting designer does not necessarily need to design the complete smart-home system but should understand modern lighting-control systems sufficiently to define requirements for the smart-home consultant and MEP engineer. ⸻ 7. Daylight Consideration Review the relationship between daylight and artificial lighting and identify: * Areas susceptible to excessive glare * Areas requiring supplemental daytime lighting * Opportunities for daylight-responsive control * Interaction between lighting and window treatments ⸻ 8. Coordination Coordinate the lighting concept with: * Architectural drawings * Interior design * Ceiling design * Curtain pockets * HVAC diffusers/grilles * Smoke detectors * Speakers * Sensors * Access panels * Joinery * Smart-home infrastructure The objective is a clean, coordinated ceiling rather than each engineering discipline positioning devices independently. ⸻ Required Deliverables The final package should include, as appropriate: 1. Architectural Lighting Design Report 2. Room-by-Room Lighting Strategy 3. Lighting Layout / Reflected Ceiling Plans 4. DIALux/Relux/AGi32 calculations 5. Lighting Fixture Schedule 6. Fixture Performance Specifications 7. Lighting Control Zone Schedule 8. Lighting Scene/Control Philosophy 9. Driver and dimming requirements 10. Architectural and MEP coordination notes 11. PDF drawing package 12. Editable DWG/Revit files where applicable 13. Review comments on the local MEP engineer’s integrated lighting/electrical drawings The final lighting design will be handed over to our local MEP engineering consultant, who will integrate the requirements into the final electrical and construction documentation. ⸻ Required Experience Applicants should have demonstrable experience in: * Architectural lighting design * High-end residential or hospitality lighting * DIALux Evo, Relux or AGi32 * Photometric calculations * Reflected ceiling plans * Lighting fixture specification * Lighting controls * MEP coordination Experience with KNX, DALI, Loxone, Lutron or similar lighting-control systems would be advantageous. ⸻ Application Requirements Please provide: 1. Examples of at least three residential, hospitality or comparable architectural lighting projects. 2. Examples of actual lighting drawings/RCPs, not only renders. 3. A sample DIALux/photometric report. 4. A sample lighting fixture schedule. 5. Details of your experience coordinating lighting designs with MEP engineers. 6. Confirmation of which lighting-control systems you have worked with. 7. Your proposed fixed fee and estimated duration for this assignment. Please clearly distinguish between projects where you were responsible for the lighting design and projects where you only prepared drawings or calculations designed by someone else. ⸻ Preferred Consultant We are particularly interested in a designer who combines: Architectural sensitivity + technical lighting knowledge + MEP coordination capability. We are not looking simply for someone who can perform DIALux calculations. The successful consultant should understand how lighting affects architecture, materials, atmosphere and comfort while also being capable of producing technically credible documentation that engineers can implement. ⸻ Engagement Structure We anticipate dividing the assignment into approximately three milestones: Milestone 1 – Lighting Concept & Strategy Review architectural/interior documentation and develop the room-by-room lighting concept, fixture philosophy and preliminary layouts. Milestone 2 – Detailed Lighting Design Develop final fixture locations, photometric calculations, fixture schedules, dimming/control zones and coordinated lighting drawings. Milestone 3 – MEP Coordination & Review Provide the design package to the local MEP team, respond to coordination queries and review their integrated electrical/MEP drawings before construction. This is a private residential project in Kampala, Uganda, and all work can be undertaken remotely through coordination with the project team.