A ubiquitous type of architectural illumination products, contemporary recessed lighting takes advantage of the slim profile allowed by LEDs to tuck into shallow ceiling areas, creating less visual noise and enabling various design shapes and patterns that are functional and elegant.
COMPILED BY CARRIE MEADOWS
BEAM2 Square, Axis Lighting
The recessed-mounted BEAM2 Square offers linear ceiling illumination with thin connections for continuous runs of 4-, 8-, and 12-foot lengths. The aluminum housing acts as a heat sink to preserve maximum light source lifetime. The luminaires are available in 80- and 90-CRI versions, with more options enabled by BIOS Static or SkyBlue Dynamic tunable modules. Single-color CCT luminaires come in 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, and 4000K and with a color consistency within a 3-step MacAdam ellipse.
Nu Deep Regress, Alphabet Lighting (Ledra Brands)
A 4-inch recessed downlight delivers up to 3400 lm with an exceptional 38° cut-off angle. Standard white, Xicato XTM, SunLike, tunable white, and warm dimming models with UGR < 5 enable dynamic color and high light quality along with visual comfort. Offering changeable optics and intelligent control, the fixture recesses 2.5 inches for a quiet ceiling. The product is compatible with a honeycomb louver and specialty lensing for enhanced glare control.
Duoproof 2, Thorn Lighting
The IP65-rated LED panel luminaire delivers a smooth, easily cleaned surface and impermeable joining of cover and housing for critical hygienic environments. The luminaire operates in temperatures up to 50°C, delivering up to 15 lm/W in cleanrooms, laboratories, commercial food kitchens, and other industrial facilities. It is certified to ISO EN 14644-1, Good Manufacturing Practices standards, and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point standards for food safety.
Enhanced Recessed Ceiling Port, Altman Lighting
The Enhanced Recessed Ceiling Port (ERCP) can be installed in finished ceilings, in front of balconies, or as a vertical side lighting port in architectural, theatrical, and other entertainment settings. Fixtures can be serviced through the bottom of the port with the easily removable trim ring. The mount allows 50° rotation adjustment, 65° fixture tilt adjustment, and 6-inch fixture height adjustment. The ERCP is made in the U.S., with lifetime manufacturer support for the mount.
Atomos, Lucifer Lighting
Available with 1- or 2-inch apertures, Atomos delivers high light output without glare. The 2-inch model provides up to 900 lm of glare-free illumination while maintaining beauty in the ceiling. The 1-inch version offers roughly 500 lm, also glare-free, and seamlessly disappears in the ceiling. The retention wheels, which accommodate 0.5- to 2-inch ceiling depths, make it easy to install.
Charisma Linear LED, Amerlux
The linear LED family is available in 2- and 3-inch aperture sizes and can be specified with various mounting options: recessed, wall, surface, and pendant. The edge-to-edge lens enables high luminous efficacy with 0–10V dimming down to 1%. It delivers 80-plus CRI in 3000K, 3500K, and 4000K models, with 90-plus CRI for the 2700K version. An overlapping lens cap and a snap-in reflector prevent light leak from adjoining fixtures.
Carrie Meadows | Editor-in-Chief, LEDs Magazine
Carrie Meadows has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing and media industry. She worked with the PennWell Technology Group for more than 17 years, having been part of the editorial staff at Solid State Technology, Microlithography World, Lightwave, Portable Design, CleanRooms, Laser Focus World, and Vision Systems Design before the group was acquired by current parent company Endeavor Business Media.
Meadows has received finalist recognition for LEDs Magazine in the FOLIO Eddie Awards, and has volunteered as a judge on several B2B editorial awards committees. She received a BA in English literature from Saint Anselm College, and earned thesis honors in the college's Geisel Library. Without the patience to sit down and write a book of her own, she has gladly undertaken the role of editor for the writings of friends and family.
Meadows enjoys living in the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable four seasons of the New England region, volunteering with an animal shelter, reading (of course), and walking with friends and extended "dog family" in her spare time.
