5 minute read
Lighting for Sensitivity and Success
By Parker Allen
Washington State School for the Blind’s Tunable White Retrofit Lighting for Sensitivity and Success
When Northwest Edison was first invited to bid on a lighting upgrade at the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) in Vancouver, Washington, the team faced an unusual challenge.
The original design intent called for all new fixtures with advanced controls and tunable white technology-a "lofty goal," as Jennifer Thornfeldt, Vice President of Design Development at Northwest Edison, described it. The problem was cost the proposal simply exceeded the school's budget.
Rather than walk away, Northwestern Edison took a different approach. By re-engineering the specification with alternate manufacturers and control partners, they delivered a system that not only fit the budget but elevated the project's impact.
The result was a tunable white LED and controls retrofit that has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy's Integrated Lighting Campaign (ILC) and the National Lighting Bureau's 2025 Lighting Transformation Awards.
The Human Factor
For Thronfeldt, who holds a degree in biomedical engineering, the project offered a rare opportunity to merge lighting design with human biology. Blindness exists on a spectrum, and many students at WSSB still perceive light, shadows, or contrast.
Additionally, research shows that intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in the eye, which help regulate circadian rhythms, often remain intact even when vision is impaired. Without appropriate light cues, people with low or no vision can experience disrupted sleep, digestion, and mood.
That’s why tunable white lighting was essential. By cycling through warmer tones in the morning, cooler whites midday, and back to warmer tones in the evening, the system supports circadian entrainment and provides options for teachers to adjust the lighting to individual student needs.
COLLABORATION AND CONTROLS
Delivering this level of flexibility required a deep collaboration among partners. Northwest Edison joined forces with Form Lighting and Controls and Avi-on Labs, who provided the Bluetooth mesh-based control system. Fixtures were supplied by Energy Solutions International (ESI).
Initially, the design called for fully automated schedules to mimic daylight patterns. But, based on feedback from teachers, the final configuration allowed manual selection of preset color temperatures via wall stations in each classroom.
This simplified control gave educators the ability to adjust quickly—whether to create a calm environment, support alertness, or tailor conditions for students with residual vision.
HOW IT WORKS: SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS
Each classroom includes tunable white luminaires equipped with in-fixture controllers, occupancy sensors, and daylight harvesting.
• Automatic On/Off: Lights switch on when motion is detected and shut off 20 minutes after vacancy.
• Daylight Harvesting: Rows of fixtures closest to windows dim automatically to maintain roughly 35 foot-candles at desk level.
• Circadian Scheduling: Default programming cycles color temperature between 2700K and 6500K over the course of the day.
• Local Control: Teachers can override both intensity and color temperature using a four-button wireless wall station. Overrides persist until the next scheduled transition.
This combination of automation and manual flexibility proved key. It allows staff to maintain consistent circadian cues while adapting lighting for diverse visual needs.
CHALLENGES IN COMMISSIONING
No cutting-edge project is without hurdles. “It was definitely a punch list,” Thornfeldt recalled of the commissioning process. At times, light levels were too high in bathrooms, eliminating shadows that low-vision students rely on for navigation. Northwest Edison adjusted the programming and added dimming options until the spaces worked for all users.
Fournier noted that the transition from automated to manual control also stemmed from lessons learned. “It’s one thing in theory and another in practice,” he said. “Simplifying gave teachers confidence and ensured the system was actually used.”
TANGIBLE RESULTS
The impact has been measurable:
• 68,000 kWh/year in energy savings
• 74% reduction in annual consumption
• $38,000+ in utility rebates
• Improved circadian support for students
For WSSB, the project not only modernized an aging system but created a learning environment tailored to its unique student population.
RECOGNITION AND BROADER IMPACT
The project’s innovative approach earned a Special Citation for Exemplary Design and Implementation of Controls from the National Lighting Bureau and recognition in the DOE’s Integrated Lighting Campaign.
Awards aside, its true significance lies in proving that human-centric lighting is not reserved for premium corporate interiors or healthcare facilities.
“WSSB shows that tunable white can be delivered at scale, within budget, and in places you might not expect.” said Fournier.
A MODEL FOR FUTURE PROJECTS
This project underscores two key lessons:
• Value engineering doesn’t mean cutting features. Northwest Edison demonstrated that by rethinking manufacturers and controls, advanced features like tunable white can be achieved at cost parity with basic systems.
• Commissioning and end-user education matter. The success of the WSSB retrofit hinged on adjustments made after installation and on training teachers to confidently operate the system.
As Thornfeldt put it, “We’re always balancing cost, energy, and visual comfort. Here, we added a human condition we’d never worked with before. It made the puzzle four- dimensional—and that’s what made the project great.”
