CEDIA 2019 was held in Denver, CO and it was busting at the seams with shiny new smart technology. We had the privilege of chatting with some of the movers and shakers in innovative automated design. Our stimulating series of on the fly interviews include American Lighting, Coastal Source, and Lutron Electronics.
First up is a chat with Lutron’s very entertaining Brad Cullinan. The excitement about what this company is doing is absolutely palpable. Take a look at what makes Lutron Electronics the gold standard for reliability in the lighting industry.
Acoustic Architects: What is Lutron?
Brad Cullinan: I’ve been with Lutron for almost 10 years now. And since day one, I’ve noticed the innovative driving spirit, which makes Lutron a bulletproof company. We, at our core, are definitely an engineering company, specializing in artificial and natural lighting.
What is Lutron’s core mission?
To always take care of the customer. But at the same time, we pride ourselves on insanely innovative goods and services. We develop products that solve problems. For example, addressing the issue of avoiding getting dressed, to turn the house off every night. But more importantly, our technology increases safety.
What makes Lutron a green company?
The number-one energy suck in any building is the lighting. So, if we can provide a solution by reducing load and energy demand from the grid, then we are not only green in the eyes of business and homeowners but we are also doing good things for the environment.
What sets Lutron apart from other lighting companies?
We have an ACE team, which stands for aesthetics, cognition, and ergonomics. ACE puts everything we sell through rigorous scrutinization. It’s not just about robust electronics, but also about the architectural and aesthetic importance of what our products mean to the interior design and overall experience of a home.
How has Ketra elevated the Lutron brand?
With the acquisition of Ketra last March, we’ve achieved the trifecta of smart lighting engines, elegant fixtures, and seamless controls. I see that as a game-changer not just for Lutron but for our entire business. And it is clear just how impactful and important light is with the research on lighting and health. In the not so distant future, homeowners and the industry as a whole, are going to start seeing how important more natural lighting is, and the demand will skyrocket.
Talk to us about your favorite lighting product.
There are so many! Professionally, the Ketra piece of the puzzle is so important, not only to Lutron but to our industry as a whole. Lutron leads the charge when it comes to intelligent, full-spectrum, pin-point control of fixtures throughout a home that delivers the ultimate in lighting quality. And on a personal level, I think the Palladium family takes Lutron to a whole new level.
Tell us about the Palladium series.
In an on-point modern space, you need to have something that looks great on the wall. Our clients want it not only because it’s smart, but because it is aesthetically gorgeous. The keypad took years to develop and the engineering prowess and attention to detail are magnificent. Palladium shades have an exposed bracket, which was historically hidden. But with Palladium, the brackets and shades are just as beautiful as they are functional, blending perfectly with modern interior design. So now you have an exceptional switch to go with a must-have bracket.
It looks like the homeowner user app is getting a serious upgrade, to be more forward-facing. How will this change the way clients interact with their systems?
We put a lot of time and effort into the customer front-facing app because there are quite a few people who have had bad experiences with control systems in general. We want to offer an excellent platform to control most of the functionality of that system. It is about finding the exact amount of freedom each individual homeowner needs and wants. Lutron is the best-in-class in controls, fixtures, and shading. And we want to be among the best-in-class in whole-home control systems.
What do you appreciate about working with Acoustic Architects?
As the regional manager, my interaction with Acoustic Architects tends to stay at quite a high level. On the PMG projects, work was being done by many different groups. We finally hit a point where I just excused myself and I knew that it would get executed with quality and professionalism. And I didn’t hear a peep for two years. There were zero issues. That is a reason to continue to bring back business opportunities to be done together. Acoustic Architects has a top-notch team, with a professional marketing company, and an aesthetically pleasing space to gather with clients and partners.
Responsive Living, the term coined by Acoustic Architects founders, Aaron Flint and Spencer Hauldren, is the concept of seamlessly enhancing the client’s unique lifestyle using smart home technology. Responsive Living allows you to interact with your space via touch input, voice command, and predictive automation, placing you in full control of your home.
If you would like to learn more about smart lighting and shading for your space, feel free to connect with us. We will be happy to schedule a demo with you.
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