Architectural lighting design is a field within architecture

Architecture

Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...

 and architectural engineering

Architectural engineering

Architectural engineering, also known as building engineering, is the application of engineering principles and technology to building design and construction...

 that concerns itself primarily with the illumination of buildings. The objective of architectural lighting design is to obtain sufficient light for the purposes of the building, balancing factors of initial and operating cost, appearance, and energy efficiency. Lighting designers are often specialists who must understand the physics of light production and distribution, and the physiology and psychology of light perception by humans. Architectural lighting design is generally concerned with the permanent illumination of a structure. Concert and theatrical lighting have different purposes and practitioners.

Concept of lighting design

Comprehensive lighting design requires consideration of the amount of functional light provided, the energy consumed, as well as the aesthetic impact supplied by the lighting system. Some buildings, like surgical centers and sports facilities, are primarily concerned with providing the appropriate amount of light for the associated task. Some buildings, like warehouses and office buildings, are primarily concerned with saving money through the energy efficiency of the lighting system. Other buildings, like casinos and theatres, are primarily concerned with enhancing the appearance and emotional impact of architecture through lighting systems. Therefore, it is important that the sciences of light production and luminaire photometrics are balanced with the artistic application of light as a medium in our built environment. These electrical lighting systems should also consider the impacts of, and ideally be integrated with, daylighting systems. Factors involved in lighting design are essentially the same as those discussed above in energy conservation analysis.

Architectural lighting design focuses on three fundamental aspects of the illumination of buildings or spaces. The first is the aesthetic appeal of a building, an aspect particularly important in the illumination of retail

Retail

Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...

 environments. Secondly, the ergonomic aspect: the measure of how much of a function the lighting plays. Thirdly is the energy efficiency

Energy conservation

Energy conservation refers to efforts made to reduce energy consumption. Energy conservation can be achieved through increased efficient energy use, in conjunction with decreased energy consumption and/or reduced consumption from conventional energy sources...

 issue to assure that light is not wasted by over-illumination

Over-illumination

Over-illumination is the presence of lighting intensity beyond that required for a specified activity. Over-illumination was commonly ignored between 1950 and 1995, especially in office and retail environments; only since then has the interior design community begun to reconsider this practice.The...

, either by illuminating vacant spaces unnecessarily or by providing more light than needed for the aesthetics

Aesthetics

Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...

 or the task.

Each of these three aspects is looked at in considerable detail when the lighting designer is at work. In aesthetic appeal, the lighting designer attempts to raise the general attractiveness of the design, measure whether it should be subtly blended into the background or whether it should stand out, and assess what kind of emotions the lighting should evoke. The functional aspects of the project can encompass the need for the project to be visible (by night mostly, but also by day), the impact of daylight

Daylight

Daylight or the light of day is the combination of all direct and indirect sunlight outdoors during the daytime. This includes direct sunlight, diffuse sky radiation, and both of these reflected from the Earth and terrestrial objects. Sunlight scattered or reflected from objects in outer space is...

 on the project and safety

Safety

Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...

 issues (glare

Glare (vision)

Glare is difficulty seeing in the presence of bright light such as direct or reflected sunlight or artificial light such as car headlamps at night. Because of this, some cars include mirrors with automatic anti-glare functions....

, colour confusion etc.).

Methods

For simple installations, hand-calculations based on tabular data can be used to provide an acceptable lighting design. More critical or optimized designs now routinely use mathematical modeling on a computer.

Based on the positions and mounting heights of the fixtures, and their photometric characteristics, the proposed lighting layout can be checked for uniformity and quantity of illumination. For larger projects or those with irregular floor plans, lighting design software can be used. Each fixture has its location entered, and the reflectance of walls, ceiling, and floors can be entered. The computer program will then produce a set of contour charts overlaid on the project floor plan, showing the light level to be expected at the working height. More advanced programs can include the effect of light from windows or skylights, allowing further optimization of the operating cost of the lighting installation. The amount of daylight received in an internal space can typically be analized by undertaking a daylight factor

Daylight factor

A daylight factor is the ratio of internal light level to external light level and is defined as follows:where,Ei = illumiance due to daylight at a point on the indoors working plane,...

 calculation.

The Zonal Cavity Method is used as a basis for both hand, tabulated, and computer calculations. This method uses the reflectance coefficients of room surfaces to model the contribution to useful illumination at the working level of the room due to light reflected from the walls and the ceiling. Simplified photometric values are usually given by fixture manufacturers for use in this method.

Computer modeling of outdoor flood lighting usually proceeds directly from photometric data. The total lighting power of a lamp is divided into small solid angular regions. Each region is extended to the surface which is to be lit and the area calculated, giving the light power per unit of area. Where multiple lamps are used to illuminate the same area, each one's contribution is summed. Again the tabulated light levels (in lux or foot-candles) can be presented as contour lines of constant lighting value, overlaid on the project plan drawing. Hand calculations might only be required at a few points, but computer calculations allow a better estimate of the uniformity and lighting level.

Practical lighting design must take into account the gradual decrease in light levels from each lamp owing to lamp aging, lamp burnout, and dirt accumulation on fixture and lamp surfaces. Empirically-established depreciation factors are listed in lighting design handbooks.

Profession

Prior to the 1960s, the concept of illumination in architecture was not considered to be important by many architects or consulting engineers. This changed with the formation of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) in 1969, the current mission of which is "to serve the IALD worldwide membership by promoting the visible success of its members in practicing lighting design." This created a new attitude towards the profession and raised the profile of architectural lighting design, one of the principal goals of the organization.

The European Lighting Designers' Association (ELDA, later ELDA+) was formed in 1993; in 2007, ELDA changed its name to the Professional Lighting Designers Association (PLDA). These two organizations are the main authorities regarding lighting design in architecture.

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America

The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America is a non-profit learned society that was founded in New York City on January 10, 1906. The IES's stated mission is to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into...

 (IESNA) seeks to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public.

The International Commission on Illumination

International Commission on Illumination

The International Commission on Illumination is the international authority on light, illumination, color, and color spaces...

 (CIE) is an organization "devoted to international cooperation and exchange of information among its member countries on all matters relating to the science and art of lighting." CIE works globally to develop and publish lighting design standardization and best-practice documents.

The Professional Lighting & Sound Association (PLASA

Plasa

The Professional Lighting And Sound Association or PLASA is a UK-based trade organisation representing over 500 members worldwide.In addition to providing members with expert advice on a wide range of business and technical issues, PLASA also monitors legislative developments, alerting members to...

) represents the interests of many lighting designers and manufacturers, several of which are involved in the Architectural lighting market. PLASA is UK orientated, but does represent companies on a European and International level.

There are many more nationally-based organizations such as the Schweizerische Licht Gesellschaft (SLG) in Switzerland, the Association de Concepteurs Eclairage (ACE) in France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

, the Hellenic Illumination Committee (HIC) in Greece

Greece

Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....

 and the Associazione Professionisti dell'Illuminazione (APIL) in Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

.

Media and trade publications

With the increase in global focus on green design and energy codes, lighting design and its role in sustainability have become more well known, resulting in a number of lighting-specific trade publications and an increase in coverage in architectural publications.

The following are publications specific to lighting design, covering the global-nature of the industry:

• LD+A (Lighting Design + Application), published by the IESNA
  Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
  The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America is a non-profit learned society that was founded in New York City on January 10, 1906. The IES's stated mission is to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into...
  
   (USA)
• EnLIGHTenment Magazine (USA)
• illuminate (USA)
• Illuminator
  Illuminator
  An Electro Luminescent Backlight LCD development used in some Casio watches . The Timex corporation has its very own similar technology called Indiglo.-History:...
  
   (Russia)
• Lighting
  Lighting
  Lighting or illumination is the deliberate application of light to achieve some practical or aesthetic effect. Lighting includes the use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and light fixtures, as well as natural illumination by capturing daylight...
  
   (Australia)
• Lighting&Sound America
  Lighting&Sound America
  Lighting & Sound America is an American entertainment technology magazine published in New York by PLASA Media Inc, a commercial arm of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association...
  
   (USA)
• Lighting&Sound International
  Lighting&Sound International
  Lighting&Sound International is a monthly entertainment technology magazine published in Eastbourne by PLASA Media Ltd, a commercial arm of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association and is distributed around the world in English...
  
   (UK)
• Professional Lighting Design
  Professional Lighting Design
  Professional Lighting Design is a magazine in the niche architectural lighting design market. Headed by editor-in-chief Joachim Ritter, the magazine covers a wide range of subjects in the field including design issues, technological and scientific aspects, and reviews of products used in lighting...
  
   Magazine, official publication of PLDA (published in English, German, Turkish and Chinese)

Notable architectural lighting designers

• Motoko Ishii
  Motoko Ishii
  is a Japanese lighting designer. From 1965 to 1967 she worked at lighting-design offices in Finland and Germany. Returning to Japan in 1968, she established the Ishii Motoko Design Office....
  
  
• Claude Engle
  Claude Engle
  Claude R. Engle III is an American electrical engineer and internationally-known lighting consultant, who has designed lighting schemes for many notable structures including the Reichstag and the Louvre.-Life:...
  
  
• Shiu-Kay Kan
  Shiu-Kay Kan
  Shiu-Kay Kan is a British architect, industrial designer, lighting designer and designer of lights. After making a successful start as an architect in the 1980s he turned his attention to designing lights. He has sold his design to some clients Shiu-Kay Kan (1951) is a British architect,...
  
  
• Kaoru Mende
  Kaoru Mende
  Kaoru Mende is an architectural lighting designer from Japan.Mende has bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Tokyo...
  
  
• George Sexton
  George Sexton
  Lighting and museum designer, George Sexton, was born in the late 1940s in New England, USA.-Life:Sexton began studying at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1966 and received his Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1971...
  
  
• Rogier van der Heide
  Rogier van der Heide
  Rogier van der Heide is a designer based in The Netherlands, who has contributed to public and commercial places all over the world.-Life:...
  
  , IALD
• Mark Sutton Vane
  Mark Sutton Vane
  Mark Sutton Vane is an English architectural lighting designer.Vane was born in London, England, and studied architecture at the University of Westminster. He then started work at the Laserium in the London Planetarium. Here he used a visual synthesiser to perform laser light shows to music...
  
  
• Speirs and Major Associates
  Speirs and Major Associates
  Speirs and Major Associates is a UK lighting design practice founded by Jonathan Speirs and Mark Major in 1992. The practice is particularly noted for its illumination of prominent buildings, including Barajas International Airport, 30 St Mary Axe , the Millennium Dome and the interior of St. Pauls...
  
  
• Focus Lighting
  Focus Lighting
  Focus Lighting is a New York City based Architectural Lighting Design Firm founded by Paul Gregory in 1986. Focus Lighting designed the Entel Tower in Santiago, Chile, which was the first automated color-changing exterior lighting display in the world and the first building to have an automatic...
  
  
• Maurizio Rossi
  Maurizio Rossi
  Maurizio Rossi is a professional architectural lighting designer based in Rome, Italy. He completed his studies in architectural and building techniques at the in Rome, Italy and began his professional career exploring several related fields: architectural and interior design as well as...
  
  , IALD
• Steensen Varming
  Steensen Varming
  Steensen Varming is a Danish engineering firm. It was founded by Niels Steensen & Jørgen Varming in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1933. The firm specialised in civil, structural and building services engineering...
  
  

See also

• Architecture of the night
  Architecture of the night
  Architecture of the night or nocturnal architecture, also referred to as illuminated architecture and, particularly in German, light architecture, is architecture designed to maximize the effect of night lighting, which may include lights from within the building, lights on the facade or outlining...
  
  
• Light art
  Light art
  Light art is a form of visual art where main media of expression is light. Light has been used for architectural aesthetical effects throughout human history. However, the modern concept of light art emerged with the development of artificial light sources and experimenting modern art...
  
  
• Daylighting
  Daylighting
  Daylighting is the practice of placing windows or other openings and reflective surfaces so that during the day natural light provides effective internal lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy...
  
  
• Daylight factor
  Daylight factor
  A daylight factor is the ratio of internal light level to external light level and is defined as follows:where,Ei = illumiance due to daylight at a point on the indoors working plane,...
  
  
• Light pollution
  Light pollution
  Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
  
  
• Lighting control system
  Lighting control system
  A lighting control system consists of a device that controls electric lighting and devices, alone or as part of a daylight harvesting system, for a public, commercial, or residential building or property, or the theater...
  
  s for a buildings or residences.
• Lighting for the elderly
  Lighting for the elderly
  Designing lighting for the elderly requires special consideration and care from architects and lighting designers. As people age, they experience neural degeneration in the retina and in the suprachiasmatic nucleus...
  
  
• light+building
  Light+building
  light+building is a biennial architecture and technology trade fair mainly focused on the fields of building design, lighting, electro-technology and building automation held at the Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt am Main, Germany....
  
   trade fair
• List of Lighting Design Software
• Lumen method
  Lumen method
  In lighting design, the lumen method, , is a simplified method to calculate the light level in a room. The method is a series of calculations that uses horizontal illuminance criteria to establish a uniform luminaire layout in a space...
  
  
• Over-illumination
  Over-illumination
  Over-illumination is the presence of lighting intensity beyond that required for a specified activity. Over-illumination was commonly ignored between 1950 and 1995, especially in office and retail environments; only since then has the interior design community begun to reconsider this practice.The...
  
  
• Seasonal affective disorder
  Seasonal affective disorder
  Seasonal affective disorder , also known as winter depression, winter blues, summer depression, summer blues, or seasonal depression, is a mood disorder in which people who have normal mental health throughout most of the year experience depressive symptoms in the winter or summer, spring or autumn...
  
  (SAD) (winter depression)

External links

• Lighting design glossary
• Lights in Alingsås, international workshop
• International Association of Lighting Designers
• Luceonline.it the cultural portal of light and new technologies