Light and Architectural

Lighting Systems

Light Layering
 Light Layering
involves combining decorative, accent,
task and ambient lighting to create a
balanced, visually comfortable space.
The Layered Approach
to Lighting Design
 Layer 1: The Ambient
or General Lighting Layer
• The first lighting layer to perfect is ambient light
• Generally the relative uniform lighting of the space
• Ambient light is soft, diffused light that fills a room,
reduces shadows and creates a sense of openness
and comfort and tends to establish mood
• Can also include decorative lighting although these
fixtures are more often meant to look attractive rather
than provide useful light. Wall sconces or chandeliers
are most common
• Called “ambient lighting” if lower than task levels
• Called “general lighting” if at task levels 300 to 500 lux
(30 to 50 fc) or more
The Ambient Layer
 Layer 2: The Task Layer
• Provides additional light to carry out a particular job

• Tends to help create drama

• Generally limited to lighting of the horizontal work

surface at work locations

• Usually produces 500 lux (50 fc) or more within a

small area
Ambient and Task Lighting
Layer 3: The Display or Focal Layer
• Generally limited to accent lighting and similar effects,
primarily through vertical and other non-horizontal
surface illumination
• Tends to create drama, with greater drama the result of
greater contrast between the brightness created by Focal
Lighting and Ambient Lighting.
• Generally vertical and other non-horizontal surface
illumination for items that deserve particular attention,
such as paintings, photographs, flower arrangements, art
pieces or architectural details
• Usually involves key displays of 1000 lux (100 fc) or
more
Ambient, Task and Focal
 Layer 4: Decorative Lighting
• In general, includes the decorative luminaires called for
by the architecture/interior design style, period, motiff

• Decorative luminaires are more often meant to look

attractive rather than provide useful light. Wall sconces
or chandeliers are the most common

• Usually expected to contribute towards the ambient

illumination. In many designs, the decorative lighting is
the ambient lighting

• Usually reduces contrast

 Ambient, Task, Focal
and Decorative Lighting
 Lighting Layers
• Ambient Layer – provides the background lighting that
helps create the mood of the space.
• Task Layer – is used to illuminate specific tasks that are
performed in a space, like reading on a table.
• Focal Layer – is typically used to highlight vertical
surfaces and three-dimensional objects including
architectural features and details, artwork, retail displays
and signage.
• Decorative layer – it serves no purpose other than to
catch the eye and to make statements about style or
wealth.
• Daylight layer – uses daylight to reduce artificial
lighting.
Ambient Lighting Examples
Task Lighting Examples
Focal Lighting Examples
Decorative Lighting Examples
Daylighting Examples
Composition is how you choose to combine
various elements.
 Recessed
Sconce (task)
(decorative)
Cove
(ambient)
Chandelier
(decorative)

Undercabinet
(task)
Living Room
Family Room
 Kitchen

• Multiple layers
permits multiple
moods
Kitchen (Task Lighting)
Kitchen (Ambient Lighting)
Kitchen (Decorative Lighting)
Dining Room
Bedroom
 Bathroom (Task Lighting)

Light the Face

Bathroom (Task Lighting)
Hallways
Stairways
THANK
YOU.