(pronounced wahl AC-nee)

Though the term is somewhat crude, it’s quite descriptive. Wall acne describes the all-too-common array of wall switches that clutter up walls in both commercial and residential interiors. So many times extreme attention is paid to exquisite detailing of a space, only to have an unsightly bank of light switches become a blemish on the fine finish-out. More and more designers are recommending lighting control systems that will easily solve this problem by creating multiple lighting “scenes,” all of which can be set with a touch of a button on a single switch. Wall acne can also refer to other distracting wall-installed items that compromise a design because of their thoughtless or poor placement by their respective trades: emergency strobes, fire alarms, sprinkler heads, speakers, etc.