ARCHITECTURAL

ARCHITECTURAL

LIGHTING
LIGHTING DESIGN
DESIGN
IN TRANSFORMING A SPACE
BY CRUZ, SHANIA LYNDSAY

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HOW
HOW CAN
CAN ARCHITECTURAL
ARCHITECTURAL THINGS
THINGS TO
TO CONSIDER
CONSIDER
LIGHTING
LIGHTING DESIGN
DESIGN IMPACT
IMPACT Light temperature
THE
THE OCCUPANTS
OCCUPANTS WELFARE
WELFARE Location
Light level

PRO'S
THESE
THESE CAN
CAN IMPACT
IMPACT
Building’s environment
- You are positively affected in both

Functionality
psychological and physiological ways. Energy efficiency

CON'S THE
THE EFFECT
EFFECT
Can also help occupants and visitors

- Inappropriate lighting design can inhibit

connect with the architectural

performance and negatively impact one’s

environment on a deeper, more

perception of space. visceral level

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 WHAT DOES SUCCESSFUL
THE MULTITUDE OF TASKS AND FUNCTIONS

ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING
REQUIRED BY INHABITANTS TO PERFORM AT A

DESIGN EMBODY? HIGH LEVEL.

The need for lighting levels that support 24 hours of

The goal of any standard

use.
lighting design is to give
The psychological impact of the lighting design.
appropriate visibility for
Key design elements (such as feature walls or custom

mobility while also allowing the

artwork) that architects want to enhance.
area to perform its functions. The use of daylighting to support lighting

Effective architectural lighting

requirements and enhance quality of the

design, on the other hand,

environment.
accomplishes much more. The use of motion and daylighting sensors to provide

smart use of energy.

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 TO
TO DESIGN
DESIGN THE
THE BEST
BEST LIGHTING
LIGHTING SYSTEMS,
SYSTEMS, DESIGNERS
DESIGNERS FOCUS
FOCUS ON
ON

THREE
THREE LIGHTING
LIGHTING DESIGN
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLES

FUNCTION
- A room must be suitably illuminated for all people to safely navigate it. The space's functions must be evaluated such that

the light supports the space's intended purpose.

AESTHETICS
- While the most important part of lighting design is utility, aesthetics are also fundamental. Experienced designers

understand how to optimize a space's psychological and physical impact while maintaining its functionality. The importance

of lighting and the use of daylighting in the development of outstanding architecture cannot be overstated.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Architects today have a responsibility to create environmentally friendly lighting systems. This involves adopting the most

energy-efficient lighting alternatives as well as passive daylighting systems to let in more natural light.

EACH STRUCTURE REQUIRES A SOMEWHAT DISTINCT ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGN METHOD. THINKING

CAREFULLY ABOUT A LIGHTING DESIGN STRATEGY EARLY IN THE DESIGN PROCESS ENABLES FOR THE EXPLORATION OF
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POSSIBILITIES THAT ARE CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF EACH PROJECT.

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 HOW
HOW STRATEGIC
STRATEGIC LIGHTING
LIGHTING DESIGN
DESIGN CAN
CAN TRANSFORM
TRANSFORM SPACE
SPACE
THE MOST EFFECTIVE ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING DESIGN SOLUTIONS RESULT FROM A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF THE CLIENT'S OBJECTIVES. THIS

KNOWLEDGE PROVIDES ARCHITECTS AND LIGHTING DESIGNERS WITH A FOUNDATION FOR LIGHTING DESIGN THAT ADDRESSES EACH SPACE'S PRIMARY

FUNCTIONS. FROM THERE, MANY WAYS FOR VISUALIZING SPACE AND STUDYING ENERGY EFFICIENCY CAN BE APPLIED.

FUNCTIONAL LIGHTING STRATEGIES

- Harness these functions to support energy management and/or visual needs. Three of the most common types of
lighting are Task lighting, Ambient lighting, and Flood lighting.

AESTHETIC LIGHTING STRATEGIES

- Dynamic environments don’t stop with ambient lighting but incorporate a variety of light sources and daylighting. These
various strategies include Wall washers, Pendant lights, Rope Lighting, Backlighting, Color temperature, and Intensity.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING STRATEGIES

- No matter which type of lighting strategies architects utilize, striving to make these systems as energy-efficient as
possible should be part of the goal.

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 THREE
THREE OF
OF THE
THE MOST
MOST COMMON
COMMON TYPES
TYPES OF
OF LIGHTING
LIGHTING

TASK LIGHTING AMBIENT LIGHTING FLOOD LIGHTING

- A direct light source that improves visibility
- Sometimes known as general lighting, this
- A broad-beamed, high-intensity light that
in a localized area. This is commonly utilized
is the main source of lighting in a space.
performs a similar function to task lighting, but
at workstations as it provides additional
Ambient lighting softens shadows and
on a much larger scale. This is often used for
and focused lighting on the work surface
glare. Basic lighting design often stops
outdoor spaces to improve visibility at night. In
where ambient lighting may not reach. Use
here although the best approach utilizes
addition to exterior “flood” lighting,interior flood
of task lighting also reduces eye strain and
this light source as just one of the lighting
wash or focused lighting can highlight items
may assist those with vision challenges.
layers in a space. within a space that require more pronounced
Spaces that are meant for focused
light intensity.
reading also benefit from this light source.

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 AESTHETIC
AESTHETIC LIGHTING
LIGHTING STRATEGIES
STRATEGIES

WALL WASHERS PENDANT LIGHTS ROPE LIGHTING

- The best way to showcase environmental
- These are often located over a
- Designers use rope lighting to accentuate

graphics, signage or art is achieved by

reception counter or a conference table
architectural design features. Highlighting a

washing the wall with a focused light

as well as featured areas within a space.
ceiling cove or a base at a reception desk can

source. They offer distinction and variety. Linear

be achieved with this light source.
pendant lighting is also commonly used in

instructional spaces and workplace design

as the direct/indirect light source

enhances light distribution.

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 AESTHETIC
AESTHETIC LIGHTING
LIGHTING STRATEGIES
STRATEGIES

BACKLIGHTING COLOR TEMPERATURE INTENSITY

- Often times designers emphasize art,
- The light temperature within a space can impact
- The intensity of light can also impact occupants.

graphics, and signage employing backlighting.

emotions as well as behavior. Warm colors can be
Light that is too bright causes unpleasant glare.

This light source is invisible to the eye yet it

calming while cool colors can promote focus. Yellow or
Likewise, light that is too dim causes eye strain.

illuminates light from behind these

red-colored light is often the choice for spaces where
Light sources that produce more diffused light

architectural specialties. people want to relax, like residence halls on college

reduce glare without compromising visibility. Light

campuses. Blue or white-colored light is typically used

sources that produce a glare or shadows should

in offices and classrooms to help occupants stay

be used sparingly and only in areas that need

alert. Architects often use color temperature to

additional light.
express design concept variations or brand ethos.

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 ENERGY-EFFICIENT
ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING
LIGHTING STRATEGIES
STRATEGIES

HARVESTING NATURAL DAYLIGHTING

SKYLIGHTS, LIGHT SHELVES, AND
ADJUSTABLE WINDOW COVERINGS

TO SUPPLEMENT REQUIRED AMBIENT

SOLAR-TRACKING MIRRORS ALLOW
HELP TO REDUCE GLARE AND KEEP

LIGHTING (THIS ALSO HAS MANY

FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO THE BUILDING COOL IN THE SUMMER

HEALTH BENEFITS FOR OCCUPANTS). INFUSE DAYLIGHTING INTO SPACE. AND WARM IN THE WINTER.

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 ENERGY-EFFICIENT
ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING
LIGHTING STRATEGIES
STRATEGIES

AUTOMATIC LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND MOTION SENSORS

ENERGY-EFFICIENT BULBS SUCH AS

THAT DIM OR INCREASE IN INTENSITY DEPENDING ON THE

LEDS. AMOUNT OF NATURAL DAYLIGHTING AT ANY GIVEN TIME OR

WHETHER THE SPACE IS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED.

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 TAKE
TAKE L U S
O N
N C
C L U S I
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NOTE
NOTE CC O N

ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY COMMON
STRATEGIES TO LIGHT SPACE, WHAT
MATTERS MOST TO ACHIEVE THESE
GOALS IS TO WORK CLOSELY TO
IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT
EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS FUNCTIONAL,
AESTHETIC AND SUSTAINABLE
CRITERIA. IT’S A COMPLEX PROCESS
THAT REQUIRES A DEEP KNOWLEDGE
OF LIGHTING DESIGN AND THE MOST
ADVANCED DESIGN TOOLS.
LIGHTING HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON HOW PEOPLE SEE AND
COMPREHEND ARCHITECTURE. LIGHTING IS THE MEANS THAT
PERMITS US TO SEE AND ADMIRE THE BEAUTY IN THE
STRUCTURES AROUND US, WHETHER THEY ARE LIT NATURALLY
OR ARTIFICIALLY LIT.
LIGHTING MAY PROVIDE INTRINSIC WORTH TO ARCHITECTURE BY
ASSISTING IN THE CREATION OF A PERCEPTION AND SHOULD BE
USED. LIGHT, WHETHER NATURAL OR ARTIFICIAL, BRINGS
ATTENTION TO THE TEXTURES, COLORS, AND PROPORTIONS OF A
PLACE, ALLOWING ARCHITECTURE TO FULFILL ITS ACTUAL
FUNCTION. THE MOST ESSENTIAL ASPECT TOWARDS WHICH WE
APPRECIATE ARCHITECTURE IS VISION, AND LIGHTING ENHANCES
OUR PERCEPTION OF IT EVEN MORE.

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 RECOMMENDATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS
IT'S NECESSARY TO KEEP IN MIND THREE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING AESTHETIC,

FUNCTION, AND EFFICIENCY IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL BALANCE BETWEEN LIGHTING AND

ARCHITECTURE.

DESIGNERS DECIDE HOW

THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNCTION
IN TODAY'S WORLD OF GREEN BUILDING

THEY WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL

CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. WE WANT
AND SUSTAINABILITY, EFFICIENCY IS

WHEN THEY GO AROUND A

THE LIGHTING TO LOOK A SPECIFIC
CRITICAL. THE BUILDING WILL BE MORE

SPACE USING AESTHETICS. WAY, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE

EFFICIENT IF THE AMOUNT OF WASTED
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SURE IT ACCOMPLISHES ITS PRIMARY
LIGHT IS REDUCED.

T
GOAL OF ASSISTING US IN SEEING.

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