One embodiment can provide a light switch module for controlling at least one light source coupled to the light switch module. The light switch module can include a manual control configured to receive a user manual operation; a control-signal-receiving module configured to receive, from a central controller, a control signal; and a switch-mode-configuration module coupled to the manual control and the control-signal-receiving module. The switch-mode-configuration module is configured to place the light switch in a first operation mode in response to receiving the control signal and place the light switch in a second operation mode in response to not receiving the control signal within a predetermined time interval.