Homes today are being built to support the needs of a wide range of family members from small children and teenagers to adults, and grandparents. Each of these family members have individual lighting needs and preferences. How can we design a home lighting and control system to support the health and well-being of each of these individuals living under one roof?
This presentation will provide information on how, in the not-too-distant future, lighting can be designed to integrate information gathered from smart wearable devices like personal light and activity meters with controls within the home that can tailor the lighting in individual spaces to support the health and wellbeing of the particular family members using each space
Presented by: Kevin Houser, PhD, PE (NE), FIES, LC, LEED AP Professor, School of Civil & Construction Engineering, Oregon State University Chief Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Co-Founder and CEO, Lyralux Inc.
Offered Once Tuesday, February 17, 2026 1:00pm-2:30pm – 90 Minute Session – $60 (Fee Increases to $90 December 1st and $120 January 1st)
Level: Proficient to Expert
For: Architect, Design, Interior Designer, Sales
Is Human-Centric Lighting merely a new phrase for old concepts, or does it represent transformative concepts for residential lighting practice? This presentation provides practical guidance for approaching human-centric lighting while navigating both credible scientific potential and marketplace hype. We’ll examine evidence-based strategies that balance human needs with realistic implementation in residential environments.
Mark S. Rea, PhD is a professor at the Light and Health Research Center (LHRC) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He is an expert in human vision, lighting engineering, human factors, photobiology, psychology, and light and health. He is the author of more than 100 scientific and technical articles related to vision, lighting engineering, and human factors and was the editor-in-chief of the 8th and 9th editions of the IES Lighting Handbook. His current research projects include the study of the effects of light on circadian disruption, the use of ultraviolet light for disinfection and to fight plant pathogens, and the development of bias-free pulse oximetry technology . Dr. Rea has conducted groundbreaking research in the areas of human visual performance, visual efficacy at nighttime light levels, and light and human health.
Kevin Houser (PhD, PE, FIES, LC, LEED AP) is a Professor at Oregon State University, Chief Engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, co-founder of Lyralux, Inc., and former editor-in-chief of LEUKOS, the journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). He has published more than 150 publications about light and lighting, has been awarded 5 patents for innovations in light source spectral design, and has shared his insights and discoveries globally through more than 135 presentations delivered across six continents. He’s won the CIBSE Leon Gaster and Walsh Weston Awards, three IES Taylor Technical Talent Awards, an Edison Report Lifetime Achievement Award, the IES Presidential Award, the IES Medal Award, and is a Fellow of IES. His work focuses on human perceptual and biological responses to light, endeavoring to balance human needs with planetary health.
Light and Health Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Mariana Figueiro, PhD, is among the world’s leading experts in the area of light and health, with a focus on bridging science to practical applications aimed at improving human quality of life. She has made a significant impact on this developing field and continues to actively expand her influence through translational research and teaching. She is the Director of the Light and Health Research Center and serves as Principal Investigator of various research projects at the Center. She regularly collaborates with lighting designers and manufacturers, through her work with the Center’s Light and Health Partners program. Dr. Figueiro previously served as the Director of the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Biographical Sketch – Craig A. Bernecker, Ph.D., FIESNA, LC
Dr. Bernecker has been a lighting educator for over 40 years. He is founder of The Lighting Education Institute, providing education to practicing professionals, and Professor of Lighting Design and Director of the Masters of Fine Arts in Lighting Design program at Parsons School of Design, The New School. Prior to founding The Lighting Education Institute, he directed the lighting education program within the Department of Architectural Engineering at Penn State University. He has published more than fifty articles on research and education in lighting design and illumination engineering and is known for his work on the psychological aspects of lighting. He also maintains an active consulting practice, providing lighting design services and serving as an expert consultant on many projects and as an expert witness on many legal cases. He regularly serves as a peer reviewer for lighting research proposals and projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
He further served for 15 years as Educational Facilitator for LIGHTFAIR International, coordinating the development of the annual conference program, and regularly taught the IES online lighting certification review course in preparation for the NCQLP LC exam.
Dr. Bernecker has served the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) as Vice-President for Technical and Research Activities (1991-1993) and Vice-President for Educational Activities (1993-1995). More recently, he served the Society in its highest office, as Senior Vice-President for 2003-2004, President for 2004-2005, and Immediate Past President for 2005-2006. As a result of his contributions to lighting education, the Society named him a Fellow in 1991, and for his service to the IES, the Distinguished Service Award in 2017. In 2021 he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the LIT Lighting Design Awards program, and in 2024 received the Edison Report Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Bernecker is currently President (2023-2027) of the United States National Committee (USNC) of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE), and U.S. Technical Representative to Division 3: Interior Lighting.
Greg Barrett is an industry veteran with 20 years of experience in lighting and control systems, holding an MFA in Architectural Lighting Design from Parsons School of Design. Over the last decade, his work has significantly shaped the industry. Currently the Director of Product Management for Professional Lighting at Savant Systems, Greg has held key leadership roles, including Director of Specifier Development and Product Category Director for Lighting and Shades. His tenure at Savant followed impactful roles at USAI Lighting and Ketra, where he specialized in product management and marketing, driving innovation in both lighting and control technology.
Greg’s early career saw extensive experience as a freelance lighting designer and theatrical electrician, working with clients such as Disney, BET, and The Public Theatre. Through his various roles, Greg has developed a strong expertise in integrating design, technology, and market education, all while maintaining his passion for how lighting influences perception, emotions, and health.
Lighting adds value to a home, but it is not always easy for customers to see and appreciate the value that lighting provides. In this keynote address, Dr. Rea will discuss the value of lighting.
His presentation will include important value propositions of lighting and controls, and how these can best be articulated by technology integrators and explained to customers. His presentation will include information about how people see, how lighting interacts with surfaces, and how it can add value and change the way people feel in a space. Dr. Rea will discuss layers of light, how each function of lighting control must have a purpose, and how technology integrators can articulate the purpose and show the value to their customers.
How can we be certain a residential lighting system performs as designed? This hands-on session introduces the tools and techniques professionals need to measure, verify, and fine-tune lighting installations. Participants will learn how to use a light meter effectively, capture the right measurements, and apply procedures that assess brightness, contrast, and overall visual quality within a space.
The course will also cover the role of mobile apps in evaluating lighting conditions and provide guidance on selecting the right measurement tools—including examples of both appropriate and inappropriate meters. By the end, attendees will have a clear framework for commissioning residential lighting systems that meet design intent and deliver comfort, functionality, and client satisfaction.
This interactive workshop is designed to deepen understanding of how light reveals color in residential environments. Beginning with foundational color concepts, we’ll explore the interplay between light sources, objects, and human perception. The workshop will progress to advanced topics, including chromaticity, correlated color temperature, and color rendering, with a special focus on TM-30 IES Method for Evaluating Light Source Color Rendition. Participants will gain practical insights into how spectral characteristics influence object appearance and learn to predict and design for optimal color experiences in high-end residential settings. Through dialogue and hands-on demonstrations, attendees will develop the skills to interpret technical color metrics and apply this knowledge to create visually pleasing and psychologically satisfying living environments.
