Tuesday
April 14, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
April 14, 2026
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET
Credits LU | Elective TBD
This panel will unpack scope, risk, and responsibility for daylight design and control integration. An architect, a lighting designer, and a daylight study specialist trade lessons on aligning design intent, sequences of operation, and budgets. We’ll show why electric lighting rarely performs as intended without coordinated window treatments and smart controls, and how to specify, contract, and commission accordingly. Through case studies and Q&A, attendees will learn practical, proven strategies to deliver healthier, smarter, more profitable projects—clarifying roles, closing gaps between disciplines, and turning daylight from liability into measurable performance.
Learning Objectives
- Define scope boundaries among design team and map responsibilities to deliverables, contracts, and sequences of operation
- Select and justify integrated daylight/electric controls; sensors, shades, zoning, and setpoints, to mitigate glare, improve visual comfort, and meet energy-code intent
- Develop concise Basis of Design and Sequence of Operations linking performance goals, budgets, and commissioning checkpoints to measurable outcomes
- Apply lessons from real-world case studies to avoid coordination gaps, improve commissioning outcomes, and deliver measurable daylight and energy performance.
Speakers
Doug Kafka
North American Commercial Director of Specification
Lutron
Doug Kafka has been with Lutron Electronics for 18 years and is currently the North American Commercial Director of Specification. Lutron’s direct and rep specification teams are focused on assisting the design community in implementing cutting edge lighting and shading technology as well code compliant solutions, depending on the client’s needs. Previously, Doug led Lutron’s national government sales efforts, working with government agencies to demonstrate the value of lighting controls, as well as supporting funded and financed projects at the federal and state level. Prior to that, he held positions as Territory Manager for New England and Commercial Sales Manager for the Northeast. Doug Kafka has an Electrical Engineering degree from Texas A&M University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.
Ryan Merluza
Associate Director | Business Unit Leader / Project Director
M Moser Associates
Ryan brings a diverse and holistic perspective on the built environment. Ryan’s career path has been unorthodox, first serving in the U.S. Navy, running the mechanical systems of a nuclear-powered submarine; to design and commissioning MEP systems; to collaborating closely with design and build teams at Powered by We / WeWork; and now playing a dual role as Business Unit Leader and Project director with M Moser. He attributes his passion for beautiful design, daylight, and air quality from his days spent under the sea on a submarine. With a mechanical engineering background and a broad experience in the commercial interiors sector, Ryan brings a deep understanding of how teamwork and coordination can deliver a project that doesn’t compromise on aesthetics or performance.
Brian Stacy
Director | Global and Americas Lighting Design Leader
Arup
Brian Stacy is a leading international daylighting, architectural lighting, projection and lighting controls designer. His core responsibilities include best in class design and skill development for Arup globally, as well as serving as Design and Project Director on multi-disciplinary projects bringing together international teams from across the firm. His has wide ranging and vast experience in concept design development through variable execution models for a range of exterior and interior environments in the arts, cultural, retail, hospitality, and entertainment industries.
Michael Mehl
Director | Lighting Designer
JB&B
With over 25 years’ experience, Michael has functioned as the creative, sustainability and administrative leader of the LightBox team, collaborating on numerous private, public, interior, exterior and art projects both within the United States and abroad. His experience as a lighting designer for numerous commercial, institutional, educational and healthcare projects ranges from corporate interiors, façade illumination and trading floors to surgical suites, lab design and art projects. Michael serves on the ASHRAE 90.1 subcommittee, is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and is an adjunct professor at New York School of Interior Design. He has been a guest speaker for the AIA, IESNA, DLFNY and USGBC