5 Things to Know: November 22

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is confronting a series of politically charged federal actions it argues undermine architectural integrity and professional standards.

In response to President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which reclassifies architecture as a non-professional degree — impacting student loan caps — the AIA condemned the change as harmful to the field and inequitable for aspiring architects.

Separately, the AIA publicly opposed the full demolition of the White House East Wing, citing a lack of transparency and deviation from historical preservation norms. The Institute called for immediate documentation and public accountability.

A third front emerged with a letter sent to architect James McCrery by members of the American Historic Preservation Community, questioning his ethical responsibilities in the East Wing demolition and ballroom project. The letter outlines potential violations of the AIA’s Code of Ethics, citing concerns over permitting, environmental compliance, and involvement in politically driven removals of oversight commissions.

Together, these developments signal growing tension between the architectural profession and federal directives with significant political implications.

Signify, the world’s largest lighting company operating in more than 70 countries, is facing labor tensions in its home country, the Netherlands. Despite managing local regulations across global markets, the €6+ billion lighting giant is now negotiating a new collective labor agreement with De Unie, a Dutch trade union representing professionals in the private sector.

In the second round of talks on November 19, De Unie criticized Signify’s initial 2% wage increase offer — well below the union’s 6% target.

The union rejected the company’s claim of poor financial performance, pointing to stable revenues, consistent dividend payouts, and a €350–€450 million share buyback program. De Unie also reported that employees have lost approximately 15% in purchasing power over the last five years.

Signify acknowledged the talks in a positive light. A company spokesperson said, “Negotiations with the unions on November 19 were constructive and focused on making progress toward a balanced new collective labor agreement.”

While Signify is open to discussing flexible work arrangements and career development measures, it remains firm on limiting enhancements to maternity and partner leave, and has attached conditions to any extension of its central social plan.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled for December 2, 2025.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has announced a $25 million city-funded project to install nearly 20,000 state-of-the-art LED fixtures throughout its galleries, replacing 16 existing lighting control systems across 2 million square feet. The energy efficiency initiative — developed in collaboration with lighting designers, curators, conservators, and technical experts — is aimed at both preserving artworks and improving gallery illumination.

The new LED system will emit less waste heat, helping to protect sensitive materials while enhancing visual clarity for visitors. The upgraded controls will allow staff to remotely monitor, schedule, and adjust lighting across 324 galleries, offering greater flexibility and operational efficiency.

Funded through capital investments managed by the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the project is one of the most complex ever undertaken by the agency. The installation will be overseen jointly by DCAS and the New York Power Authority (NYPA), with completion expected by 2028.

This effort supports the city’s climate goals under Local Law 97 and builds on DCAS’s broader strategy to reduce emissions and improve energy performance across public institutions.

PBS North Carolina has released a powerful short film tracing the extraordinary journey of a Holocaust-era chandelier now hanging in the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion. The Strauss chandelier, a gift from the Horowitz family, was donated in gratitude after they escaped Nazi persecution and found refuge in the state.

Through personal letters, interviews, and archival footage, the story follows Caroline Strauss Horowitz and her young family’s harrowing flight from Germany through occupied France. The film includes rare testimony from Horowitz herself, who recounted the night they lay silently in a trench just feet from German guards before finally crossing into free territory. Ultimately, the family reached safety in Murphy, North Carolina.

The chandelier, originally owned by Horowitz’s parents Gustav and Selma Strauss — who perished in a concentration camp — was later recovered from their German home. Believed to be a rare early electrified Maria Theresa-style fixture from Austrian maker J. & L. Lobmeyr, the chandelier symbolizes both survival and legacy.

Now restored and prominently displayed, it connects generations to a history that is at once deeply personal and universally significant.

A new white paper from Parks Associates, developed in partnership with Schneider Electric, highlights consumer behavior around managing energy use with smart home devices — including smart lighting.

According to survey data presented in the report, 54% of smart lighting owners are willing to adjust their lighting during peak energy periods themselves, while just 29% would allow a utility or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to do so remotely.

Source: Parks Associates

The data suggests that lighting remains a uniquely personal and manual domain, with device owners expressing greater comfort managing lighting themselves than relinquishing control to outside entities. This trend is consistent across device categories, though smart thermostats show the highest willingness for both self- and utility-controlled adjustments.

The findings are part of a broader look at the evolving landscape of Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS), which the report identifies as critical infrastructure for optimizing energy consumption. As electrification expands and consumers invest in solar, EVs, and storage, coordinated control — including lighting — will be key to maximizing both individual savings and grid resilience.