LIGHTING

MODULE 3
Light is a form of energy without which there can be no
vision. When light strikes an object, It may be reflected,
absorbed or allowed to pass through.
SANJANA SHAJI/ELEMENTS OF DESIGN/CINDREBAY
INTERIOR LIGHTING

 Lighting or illumination is the deliberate use of light to

achieve a practical or aesthetic effect.
 There are generally two types of lighting in interior
spaces,
 • Day / Natural Lighting
 • Artificial Lighting
 Lighting includes the use of both artificial light
sources like lamps and light fixtures, as well as
natural illumination by capturing daylight.
 Day lighting (using windows, skylights, or light
shelves) is sometimes used as the main source of
light during daytime in buildings.
 This can save energy in place of using artificial
lighting, which represents a major component of
energy consumption in buildings.

Proper lighting
• Can enhance task performance,
• Improve the appearance of an area,
• Have positive psychological effects on occupants.
 Indoor lighting is usually accomplished using light
fixtures, and is a key part of interior design.
 Lighting is an intrinsic component of landscape project
TYPES OF LIGHT
SOURCE BASED CLASSIFICATION
 NATURAL
LIGHT
The bright radiant
energy of the sun,
daylight, is a major
determining
factor in the
design of hotel
guestrooms and
homes, especially
where large wall
areas have been
decorated with
glass.
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
Well panned
artificial
illumination helps
us to see without
strain and helps to
prevent accidents.
It makes a vital
contribution to the
attractiveness of
homes and hotels.
 INCANDESCENT /
FILAMENT
Here light is produced
by heating any
material, usually metal
to a temperature at
which it glows. Typical
incandescent bulbs
have tungsten filament
in a sealed glass
container. Many gas
filled and halogen
lamps with halogen
mixed gas filling are
also available.
 INCANDESCENT / FILAMENT
GAS FILLED (GENEAL LIGHTING SERVICE) HALOGEN LAMPS
FLUORESCENT / DISCHARGE
Fluorescent tubes are
cold (not produced by
heat) source of light. A
glass tube with inside
coating of fluorescent
powder is filled with
vaporized mercury and
argon. They ends are then
sealed with cathodes.
When electric current
activates the gases in it,
invisible UV rays cause
the fluorescent coating to
produce visible light.
DIRECT LIGHTING
This kind of light
comes from the
sources such as
ceiling fixtures or
luminous ceiling
that shed light
downward, or from
lamps with
translucent shades
spreading light in
all directions
INDIRECT LIGHTING
This is usually from
concealed sources in
alcoves, cornices, or
valances. It may also
come from a lamp with
an opaque shade open
only at the top – light is
then thrown against the
ceiling or washes against
the wall and is reflected
back into the room. It is
soften than the direct
lighting, but often more
costly in both installation
and operation.
 DIFFUSED
LIGHTING
When light fitting
are completely
enclosed or
concealed, as with
some globes and
ceiling panels, the
light is diffused since
it passes through
the glass or plastic.
Diffused lighting is
also glare- free
and produces a
flat appearance.
 SEMI-INDIRECT
LIGHTING
It is possible to have
some light passing
through a diffusing
bowl and some
reflecting off the
ceiling where the
fixture is open on
top.
TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING
FUNCTION BASED CLASSIFICATION

• AMBIENT LIGHTING
• TASK LIGHTING
• ACCENT LIGHTING
TYPES OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

AMBIENT LIGHTING
 Provides an area with overall illumination.
 Also known as general lighting, it radiates a comfortable level of brightness
without glare and allows you to see and walk about safely.
 In some spaces such as laundry rooms, the ambient lighting also serves as
the primary source of task lighting.
 It can be accomplished with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted fixtures,
recessed or track lights and with lanterns mounted on the outside of the
home.
 Having a central source of ambient light in all rooms is fundamental to a good
lighting plan.
TASK LIGHTING
• To perform specific tasks, such as reading, grooming, preparing and cooking
food, doing homework, working on hobbies, playing games and balancing
your check book.
• It can be provided by recessed and track lighting, pendant lighting and under
cabinet lighting, as well as by portable floor and desk lamps.
• Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and shadows and should be
bright enough to prevent eye strain.
• In some spaces, especially in star hotels, there is automated task lighting,
(motion sensor light), in which the light fixture gets illuminated only when its
sensors detect human movement in that particular space. This helps in power
saving even though the installation is high in price.
ACCENT LIGHTING

• Accent lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual interest.

• As part of an interior design scheme, it is used to draw the eye to houseplants,
paintings, sculptures and other prized possessions.
• It can also be used to highlight the texture of a brick or stone wall, window
treatments or outdoor landscaping.
• To be effective, accent lighting requires at least three times as much light on the
focal point as the general lighting surrounding it.
• Accent lighting is usually provided by recessed and track lighting or wall mounted
picture lights
METHODS OF
LIGHTING
ARCHITECTURAL AND BUILT-IN LIGHTING NON-ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING

• Valance Lighting • Ceiling Fixtures

• Cornice Lighting • Wall Fixtures
• Cove Lighting • Portable Lamps
• Track Lighting
• Soffit Lighting
ARCHITECTURAL AND BUILT-IN
LIGHTING
 VALANCE
LIGHTING
A horizontal
fluorescent tube is
placed behind a
valance boards,
casting light upward
so that it reflects off
the ceiling and also
downwards to shine
on the drapery, thus
producing both direct
and indirect lighting.
 CORNICE
LIGHTING
A cornice is
installed under the
ceiling, with a
fixture hidden
beneath so as to
direct light
downwards only.
This can give a
dramatic effect on
drapery, pictures
and wall coverings.
 COVE
LIGHTING
This consists of
placing continuous
series of fluorescent
tubes in a groove
along one or more
walls of a room,
about 12 inches from
the ceiling. The light
reflects off the ceiling
and bathes the room
in indirect light.
 TRACK
LIGHTING
Track lighting consists of
lamps fixed to the ceiling
or wall in an array to offer
great variety. One strip
often holds spot light,
floodlights, and even
hanging fixtures that may
be turned around to follow
furniture placement. The
tracks can themselves be
movable as well, for still
more flexible
arrangements.
 SOFFIT
LIGHTING
This refers to
built in light
source under a
panel. It may be
fixed to a
ceiling or under
a cabinet. Soffit
lighting is often
used over a
sink or other
work areas.
NON- ARCHITECTURAL
LIGHTING
 CEILING
FIXTURE
These are recessed
into the ceiling or
set flush with it.
They may soften
light of diffuse.
Some may be in
form of soft
luminous panels
that illuminates
large areas evenly.
 WALL
FIXTURE
These remain out
of the way and
free table and
desk surfaces for
other things. At
the same time,
they give direct
light where it is
needed.
 PORTABLE
LAMPS
Floor and table
lamps can be
moved when
and where
needed. They
also act as
decorative
accessories.
 CONSIDERATIONS FOR GOOD
LIGHTING
• Utilize potential day light
when available
• Energy efficient
• Good design and
durability
• Ease of replacement of
fixture and bulb
• Easy to maintain
• Proportionate area-
light ratio
 Lux is a
standardized
LUX unit of
measurement of
the light intensity
(which can also be
called “illuminance”
or “illumination”)
 LUME
N
The lumen is a
standardized unit of
measurement of
the total amount of
light that is produced
by a light source,
such as a bulb or
tube.
LUMEN &
LUX
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LUX &
LUMEN
One Lux is defined as
being equivalent to one
lumen spread over an
area of one square
metre, or to put it
another way – a
measurement of lux
(light intensity) tells you
how many lumens (total
light output) you need
given the area you are
trying to illuminate.
LIGHTING FOR DIFFERENT INTERIOR SPACES
LIVING ROOM

 Light three of the four corners, focusing one of those lights on an object
(art, a plant, a striking chair).
 Use a combination of table lamps and floor lamps, some with a
 downward glow and some that shine upward.
 Allow for reading in as many seats as possible with down-glowing lamps on
three-way switches.
 If you have an overhead fixture, put it on a dimmer.
KITCHEN

• Focus on overhead lighting, and add lower sources to illuminate work

surfaces.
• Use pendants, under-cabinet lights, or a sturdy table lamp (kept away from
the sink).
BEDROOM

• Aim for a cozy, insular atmosphere: Place reading lamps or sconces by

the bed—but not pointed directly at it. 

• If you have recessed or track fixtures, angle them away from the bed,
toward the dressing area.

• On a low table, include a small, intimate lamp with a tinted low-wattage

bulb to mimic candlelight.

BATHROOM

• The best choice for applying makeup is sidelights, such as a pair of

sconces flanking the mirror.

• An overhead light helps fill in any shadows on your face and also fully
illuminates the room (important when cleaning).
DINING ROOM

• To draw people in, make the table the brightest spot in the room. Use a
chandelier or a pendant above the table, limiting the total wattage to 100.

• Elsewhere in the room, indirect lighting is best—it’s relaxing and flattering.

• Give the space a subtle glow with a pair of small table lamps on a
sideboard or matching sconces on the wall above.