Certain technologies really need to be experienced to get a full appreciation of all that they can do. Full-color, intelligent lighting certainly fits into that category, and Lutron is back at CEDIA Expo with a new version of the hybrid product display/experience booth they debuted last year.
“Experiencing our products is so important because when there are automated shades, controls, and light fixtures in a room, it’s the combination of those technologies controlling your experience of light that makes a difference,” says Ben Bard, VP of luxury residential business at Lutron. “That’s something that is hard to get across without experiencing it, so we are absolutely back with the experience booth-style we debuted last year. We’ve refreshed it with new products, and we have a new narrative that tells a story that is timely to what’s going with today’s new lighting Innovations.”
The center section of Lutron’s booth will once again be a showcase for their new product introductions, including the new Ketra D2 and Rania D2 architectural downlights, which have been causing a stir since they were released this past May.
“Ketra provides the best quality of light out there for white light and it can also do full saturated colors and follow the color temperature that the sun would have throughout the day,” explains Bard. “Designers are desiring smaller and smaller form factors, and so we have dramatically reduced the form factor to a 2-inch downlight. It represents a major shift for Lutron.
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“Rania D2 is based on the same mechanical chassis as the Ketra D2 so that dealers can mix and match them in a space. Rania D2 is white light only and it has a slightly more narrow color temperature range — it’s 1800 to 5500 Kelvin whereas Ketra is 1400 to 10,000. Rania is the best white light in the world next to Ketra, and it has a lower price point. It allows you to fill out more of the home with this experience of natural light, that is light that perfectly syncs with the dynamic color temperature of the sun.”
Other innovative products on display include a recessed drapery track that leans into the current design-centric trend, along with new finishes for both Palladiom shades and keypads. Also keep your eyes peeled for Lutron’s improvements to their tape light system, as well as their new natural light optimization feature for roller shades.
Those of you with long-time Lutron customers will want to check out the RPM-to-QS translator for HomeWorks, which allows dealers to update legacy systems without replacing the hardware that is still working.
“RPM is a remote power module that was used as a dimming technology 10 years ago,” Bard explains. “We have been using a DIN technology for several years, but there are still many homes out there that have RPMs deployed because Lutron makes a product that lasts. A lot of the products are still working fine and people love them. From both a sustainability perspective and giving clients access to the new technologies without replacing all that old equipment, this translator allows their systems to keep working for more years and it creates additional revenue for the integrator.”
In addition to their booth, Lutron dealers can also visit a separate area called “The Lutron Lab,” where Lutron’s engineers are standing by to show, discuss, and explain the latest technology in a more intimate setting.
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In addition to their show floor and lab presence, Lutron is engaging with quite a bit of content at the show, including sponsoring keynote presentations and awards programs, and offering several educational sessions. “We believe in the dealer and the CEDIA industry in a big way, and so we need to be out there driving the industry forward,” says Bard. “CEDIA Expo is a great forum, and we have nearly 100 Lutron employees here to help attendees get access to the information we have. The presentations allow us to get in front of customers and in front of the industry and help us achieve the missions of helping our customers understand what we do and helping the industry grow.”
See the light (and much more) at Lutron’s booth #1912 and the Lutron Lab in meeting room 108. Visit http://lutron.com for more information.
