5 Things to Know: November 1

Lutron Electronics has leased 12,074 square feet on the 21st (and top) floor of 11 East 26th Street in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, an 11-year deal with an asking rent of $160 per square foot, Commercial Observer reports. The full-floor space offers views overlooking Madison Square Park. The remaining space in the building includes four floors totaling 31,000 square feet, with asking rents of $115 per square foot.

When reached for comment, Lutron did not clarify whether the new space will replace or complement its existing New York locations, including the nearby Global Experience Center at 3 East 28th Street and the Residential Showroom at 979 Third Avenue. The worldwide leader hihglighted its continued focus on innovation, growth, and the New York City market, noting that additional details about the new space will be shared at a later date.

The lease follows a recent shift in Lutron’s New York City representation. The company recently transitioned from a three-decade partnership with Thea Enterprises to ELA + Synergy for its metro-area representation. The new office at East 26th Street is located just two blocks from ELA + Synergy’s midtown location.

According to alighting.cn, a Chinese lighting industry trade site, China’s lighting exports totaled US$38 billion in the first three quarters of 2025 — down 7.8% year-on-year, extending a three-year slump since the 2021 peak. LED products made up 78% of exports (US$29.7 billion), slipping 3.4%. Exports to the U.S. plunged 19%, falling below 20% of total volume for the first time amid tariffs that have been exceeding 155%.

Growth came mainly from Africa (+19.5%) and so-called Belt & Road markets (+6.2%)—countries China has courted through its global infrastructure investment push—offsetting declines in North America, Europe, and East Asia.

Capacity relocation to Vietnam, Thailand, and India continues to erode China’s manufacturing dominance.

The four main drags:

1. Weak global demand as LED adoption nears saturation.
2. Production-capacity spillover to Southeast Asia and India.
3. High U.S. tariffs under renewed trade tensions.
4. Price deflation from overcapacity and margin compression.

Analysts expect a fourth straight annual contraction in 2025, with China’s export structure shifting toward lower-value emerging markets and away from high-margin Western ones.

In his recent TEDxStLouis talk, “A Well-Placed Light,” lighting designer Sean Savoie reminds us that every space — whether a theater, office, or living room — tells a story through illumination. Savoie, a longtime Washington University faculty member and CCM alumnus, speaks with the cadence of a poet and the precision of a designer. “All of my designs start with a singular, well-placed light,” he says — a sentiment that resonates far beyond the stage.

The talk, though grounded in theatrical design, touches on principles that architectural and commercial lighting professionals know well: the emotional impact of color temperature, the human connection behind perceived brightness, and the power of light placement to guide behavior and mood. Savoie paints vivid contrasts — a warm amber glow that feels like home, a harsh green downlight that evokes tension — and invites viewers to consider how similar decisions play out in built environments.

His message is one of intentionality: that the difference between adequate light and inspired light lies not in wattage, but in empathy. It’s a reminder that whether lighting a performance or a workspace, good design begins where the technical meets the human.

In a fitting discovery for the Halloween season, researchers have found that several species of North American bats glow green under ultraviolet (UV) light, according to a new study reported by the BBC. It’s the first time this kind of biofluorescence has been documented in bats from the region.

Scientists at the University of Georgia examined 60 bat specimens and found that six species — including big brown bats, eastern red bats, and gray bats — emitted a greenish glow, mostly concentrated on their wings and hind limbs. The glow is believed to be a genetic trait rather than something caused by environmental factors.

While the exact purpose of the glow remains unclear, researchers suggest it may play a role in communication or have had a function in the bats' evolutionary past. “Maybe glowing served a function somewhere in the evolutionary past, and it doesn't anymore,” said study author Steven Castleberry.

Biofluorescence has previously been observed in other mammals, fish, and insects, but never before in North American bats.

A lighting malfunction at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome delayed the start of Wednesday night’s game between the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, forcing players to begin competition under substandard lighting conditions, Sportsnet reports. The game began with the arena well below typical NHL broadcast lighting levels, which are generally expected to exceed 125 footcandles measured three feet above the ice, while also delivering strong uniformity.

With several overhead fixtures still dark, the opening puck drop was delayed by about 10 minutes. Despite the dim environment, officials opted to proceed. Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf was tested early, making a close-range save just minutes into the game while the arena remained underlit.

Lighting was fully restored nearly five minutes into the first period. The Canadiens and Flames continued through regulation and overtime, with Mike Matheson scoring the game-winner off a setup from Ivan Demidov to secure a 2–1 victory for the Canadiens at the Saddledome.