BALLAST/TRANSFORMERS

Michael Colligan and Greg Ehrich declare a full-blown crisis in the lighting industry’s “right to repair.” From inaccessible drivers screwed into joists to obsolete Cat5 control systems and $300 can lights that can't be fixed, the guys expose the absurdity of modern lighting design. Real-world stories from schools, churches, and health clubs reveal how LED upgrades have turned into long-term liabilities. Read more

Business conditions at architecture firms weakened further in September, with the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) dropping to 43.3, the lowest since April. New project inquiries remained flat while design contract values declined for the 19th consecutive month. In September, billings declined across all U.S. regions except the Midwest, where they remained flat. Firms in the West experienced the sharpest decline for the fourth consecutive month. Read more

In this explosive episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, industry lawyer David Radulescu joins Michael and Greg to dissect the legal and ethical challenges facing the DesignLights Consortium (DLC). What started as a podcast turned crusade now confronts the rebate gatekeeper head-on. Read more

In this electrifying episode of Get a Grip on Lighting, we sit down with Tom Kieffer of Service Lighting (aka LightBulbs.com)—a 40-year veteran who’s still pushing boundaries and saving clients up to 85% on lighting costs. But this isn’t just about retrofits and wattage. It’s about honor, innovation, and rebellion. If you sell light bulbs, install fixtures, or care about the future of lighting—this one’s for you. Read more

The Current Conditions component eased slightly in September, slipping to 55.0 from 59.1 in August. Respondents reporting “better” conditions rose to 30 percent, while those viewing conditions as “worse” increased to 20 percent. Fifty percent of respondents indicated that conditions remained unchanged. Comments were mixed. Read more

ArchLIGHT Summit, the premier commercial and architectural lighting trade event at Dallas Market Center, celebrated its largest and most successful edition of the show, including an attendance increase of nearly 10% over last year. Combined with attendance for ArchLIGHT Summit and Design Week, the marketplace had a 40% increase in attendee traffic. Read more

In this eye-opening episode, advocate Leo Smith takes us on a journey through the hidden costs of artificial light. From battling LED glare to reshaping roadway illumination for autonomous vehicles, Leo reveals how policy, technology, and environmental justice intersect in the fight against light pollution. Whether you’re a city planner, stargazer, or just tired of sleepless nights, this conversation will change the way you see light—and darkness. Read more

In August, architecture firms experienced continued softness, with an AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 47.2. While the share of firms reporting declining billings slightly decreased from July, the overall trend remains downward. The value of new design contracts fell for the 18th consecutive month in August, marking the longest decline in 15 years of data collection. Read more

Gotham Lighting, an established innovator and manufacturer of architectural downlighting, recently collaborated with agency representatives across North America to demonstrate that quality experiences extend beyond product innovation. As part of the Gotham Agent Contest celebrating the launch of the groundbreaking IVO™ family, winning agencies were invited to host events focused on giving back, education, and connection within their communities. Read more