No one-size-fits-all: Why custom lighting matters in education design

Custom lighting is helping universities to meet the evolving needs of their students and campuses, creating a vibrant and inspiring learning environment.

In this interview, Michael Mulhall, Head of Client Solutions at Fagerhult UK, emphasises that lighting in education cannot be one-size-fits-all; each project requires a tailored approach to achieve optimal performance, usability, and sustainability.

Lighting to enhance campus identity 

Universities compete for students, and campus identity can influence first impressions. Custom lighting in atriums, entrance halls, and circulation spaces can create distinctive architectural statements.

“Anything that helps a university to stand out is crucial,” says Michael.“ Customisable lighting often in atriums or big entrance spaces, becomes a feature piece, giving the building personality and shaping the student experience from the moment they enter.”

Bespoke lighting allows designers to infuse individuality into each project, transforming everyday circulation spaces into architectural statements that reflect a university’s character and ambition.

Adapting lighting to building architecture

Many universities operate in heritage or listed buildings, where architectural constraints create unique challenges. Michael explains:

“Heritage buildings bring specific challenges. You can’t just fix large luminaires into old ceilings or insert new steel for support. You have to consider the weight, the fixing points, the acoustics, and how to maintain the look and feel of the space. Bespoke design gives flexibility, so the product fits the building rather than forcing the building to adapt.”

Lighting for wellbeing and performance

Beyond aesthetics, custom lighting plays a vital role in student wellbeing, comfort, and concentration. The right kind of light at the right time can affect alertness, mood, and circadian rhythms.

Michael highlights an example of this at a UK university library project, which implemented task lighting:

“We created customised desk lamps that gave students the ability to adjust light levels to suit their own tasks. That sense of control helps improve comfort and productivity. And of course, the quality of light – the colour temperature, uniformity, and intensity – has a direct effect on wellbeing.”

Fagerhult’s human-centric lighting considers how light influences the human biological needs, such as circadian rhythms and cognitive performance. The goal is not just to illuminate a space, but to create environments that enhance comfort, alertness, and mental well-being.

Smart lighting at Warwick University

Technology is now redefining how lighting is used in educational spaces. At the University of Warwick, Fagerhult’s smart lighting systems are transforming how students and staff interact with their environment.

The university’s library, initially designed for far fewer students than it now serves, faced challenges with congestion and underused areas. Fagerhult’s solution incorporated Organic Response technology into each luminaire, allowing lights to respond to occupancy and daylight while simultaneously collecting data on space usage.

“Because we’ve got smart sensor nodes integrated in each of the luminaires, we were able to collect live data to create a visual heatmap across the library floor plan that shows the students which areas are being used most, and helps find available study spaces in real time.”

The Warwick project demonstrates how bespoke lighting systems can deliver both operational and student benefits – optimising energy use, improving the experience, and providing insights that inform future campus planning.

Embedding sustainability in every design

Sustainability is another key driver shaping custom lighting solutions. From reducing embodied carbon to improving operational efficiency, universities are pushing for lighting that performs responsibly throughout its lifecycle. Michael notes:

“We’re using more sustainable materials – recycled aluminium, wood, even cardboard – and pairing them with highly efficient optics and LEDs. Good lighting design means putting the right light in the right place so that you can use fewer luminaires and less energy.”

He adds that around 80% of a luminaire’s lifetime carbon impact occurs during its use phase. By combining efficient design with smart controls, Fagerhult helps clients significantly reduce their overall energy footprint and support their decarbonisation goals.

Balancing bespoke and customisable solutions

Full custom lighting isn’t always necessary. For many education settings, the sweet spot lies between standard and bespoke – configurable products that can be tailored to fit the space.

“There are benefits because universities, for example, want a specific aesthetic, but not every project requires a one-off product,” says Michael. “Our standard-customisable ranges offer flexibility without the extended lead times and costs.”

This modular approach also supports sustainability by simplifying maintenance, allowing for future upgrades without complete replacement.

Lighting for people, performance and place

Fagerhult’s approach to custom lighting is about aligning design intent, human experience, and sustainability. Whether creating a striking entrance feature or an intelligent study environment, every project is about enhancing how people use and feel in the space. Michael concludes:

“Design will always drive what lighting products are used in any space, but our role is to make sure it’s delivered in the most sustainable, efficient, and human-centric way possible.”

For more information on how Fagerhult’s custom and configurable solutions can help you create inspiring, sustainable environments that support learning, wellbeing, and identity, get in touch.