California IDEX Practice Exam 2025 - Free IDEX Practice Questions and Study Guide

The most appropriate approach to lighting design in a room where work occurs at both video display terminals and standard work surfaces is to utilize indirect ambient lighting combined with individual task lights at each workstation. This method creates a balanced and adjustable lighting environment that supports various tasks.

Indirect ambient lighting helps reduce glare on the video display terminals, which is essential for comfort and visibility when working on screens for extended periods. This kind of lighting fills the space with a soft, even light without direct exposure to the eyes, minimizing harsh contrasts that can lead to eye strain.

Additionally, the inclusion of individual task lights allows users to direct brightness exactly where it's needed most, particularly on standard work surfaces. This flexibility ensures that workers can adjust their lighting conditions according to their specific tasks, enhancing visibility and comfort.

Other approaches may not provide the same level of versatility or comfort. For instance, simply relying on downlights over work surfaces could create glare on screens, while using only low-brightness troffers may not adequately illuminate work surfaces. A direct-indirect lighting system that is locally controlled at each workstation would potentially add complexity, whereas the combination of ambient and task lighting is straightforward and user-friendly.