A recessed lighting system includes a substantially heat conducting unified casting having a front face and a rear heat conducting portion and having dimensions to fit inside a standard-sized junction box. The system further includes a light source module, housed within the heat conducting unified casting, to emit light, wherein the light source module is positioned closer to the rear heat conducting portion than the front face of the substantially heat conducting unified casting. A driver, housed within the heat conducting unified casting and insulated from the heat conducting unified casting, provides power the light source module. A lens, coupled to the heat conducting unified casting, direct lights produced by the light source module out into an area surrounding the recessed lighting system. The substantially heat conducting unified casting significantly dissipates heat generated by the light source module during operation of the light source module.