about
Chris provides simple solutions to complicated lighting situations, using code compliant technologies & luminaires that excite and better illuminate your spaces.
He can provide consultations for existing or proposed lighting for residential & commercial projects large and small.
Services Provided
In person or remote consultation, lighting plans, fixture schedules for relighting, and new construction. Details for integrated (built in) architectural lighting specification, Shooting video walkthroughs to download from the web for team sharing. Fixture location marking. Non residential Title 24 reports, Landscape lighting design, Fixture installation, Fixture customization to UL spec.
Areas Served
Carmel to Marin (travel compensation may apply).
Background
Ever since he climbed the lighting towers at Woodstock, Chris has been involved in every aspect of lighting there is. His sister Candace was the original lighting designer at the Fillmore East back in the seventies. Chris ended up working at The Winterland Ballroom for Bill Graham in SF then moved to LA to be a lighting electrician for Roger Corman, the king of the B’s. He worked alongside James Cameron on New World Productions ‘Battle Beyond the Stars’. Other films included; ‘Rock and Roll High School’ featuring the Ramones to experimental film/video projects at Interface Studios with Francis Ford Coppola. Later he engineered his own line of UL listed Displaybright portable display light fixtures. He went on to tours as a scenic rigger for The Grateful Dead, David Bowie and Michael Jackson. He, Arthur Corbin and his sister won the best architectural lighting design award for the AT&T pavilion at the ’96 Atlanta Olympics. Chris has been doing residential and commercial lighting consulting and design since 2006 when he helped open Illuminée’s first showroom. He was a product engineer and designer at Seascape Lamps from 2013 to 2018.
Certifications
Member of the IES Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
Chris attends Lightfair, Strategies in Light & The PG&E Pacific Energy Center regularly to obtain CEU’s for his craft. Chris understands that keeping up with innovations while relying on proven performance for specification is an important part of lighting specification.
Schedule consultation
chris@brightmandesign.com
831 252 7226
Lighting Design Process
1
Lighting Design Concept: Initial Meeting
Review plans and or visit site.
Cover client concerns and desires.
Understand uses of space, required functions, and desired aesthetics.
Use of controls, sensors and remote functioning.
Overview of the current luminaire technologies portable, hard wired, and built-in.
After our discussion, I will walk back through the plan or the site (on video) and make notes and upload the videos to you.
2
Lighting Design Development
Lighting plan laid out over existing plan with proposed furniture layer shown.
Lighting schedule with all technical (preliminary) details.
Photometric calculations where required.
Daylighting: window coverings, skylights, and light tubes.
Samples for demonstration and approval.
Control system integration, supplier to installer.
3
Construction Documentation & Administration
Final fixture schedule approved by client and general contractor.
Fixture binder with installation instructions.
Fixture procurement, inspection of fixtures marked by location and supplier.
Coordination with trades and scheduling of installation.
Walk-throughs to assure proper fixture placement and construction details
consultation + installation
Chris gladly visits customers because the best way to be of service is by seeing your space with his own eyes. All visits are videoed for follow-up analysis and email correspondence.
lighting design packages
New Construction or Remodel
This package includes a careful study of existing plans or spaces, establish needs and overall goals, while getting to know clients priorities and aesthetic. Discussion of switching and fixture locations, layout plan mark-up, and lighting schedule and spec sheets of fixtures by space. Coordination with contractors and complete follow through available.
Residential or Commercial Lighting
This relighting package includes a review of the overall effectiveness of existing lighting understanding desired goals, followed by advice on how to improve your light by exploring types of controls, color temperatures, and marking desired locations of new fixtures.
Outdoor and Landscape Lighting
This package includes a review of existing site or construction plans, discussion of controls (motion sensors, timers, photocell switches, security lighting, and internet). And a plan of different zones. Dark Sky compliant. Roadway lighting using standard practice and BUG rated fixtures (backlight uplight & glare)
Testimonials
“For our kitchen remodel we started with the lighting. It was important to have as many options throughout the kitchen since it is our main gathering place. Chris understands lighting not only for its function, but also for its ability to transform the space artistically. He came to our house, listened to our needs, discussed possibilities, then we met with Isabelle and Chris at the shop, brought home lights to look at in the space and made our decision. Chris then returned and we went over the exact location of each light, measuring carefully so we could have our electrician install them where we would get the most out of each. We ended up with 5 different lighting arenas all on dimmer switches, the possibilities are endless depending on our mood. Both Chris and Isabelle are professionals that really know their product. We look at lighting as an art form so it was great to work with people that too understand the importance of light and space. We have since purchased stand-alone, beautifully designed lights for other rooms in our house and enjoy their function as well as their form.”
Chris works closely with Illuminée Lighting in Santa Cruz, CA. Check out their Houzz page for more testimonials.
“Hi Chris,
I wanted to send a quick note to thank you for the beautiful lighting at my home in Napa. I am fully moved in now and all the lights are installed.From each piece to the lighting design overall, you were amazing to work with - even in difficult covid times. Everything is just stunning and anyone who comes over comments immediately on the lighting.
Thanks again!”
Lara
“We had a very big and complex job with our lighting in our front yard. Chris and Isabelle were great in making it happen. The design was right o and Chris was very hands-on and making sure that it gets done right. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a lighting designer.”
“We used Illuminee extensively as we remodeled our kitchen with tremendous results. Chris came to the house and was so helpful in determining what kind of lighting we should have and where it should go. Then, we went to them to find the perfect style of blown glass pendant shades for over the dining table and sink....”