LIGHTING DESIGN

Instructor: Deborah Ogden

DO YOU HAVE ANY ROOMS WITH A SINGLE LIGHT SOURCE?

Rooms with a single source of light: unflattering!

Single source lighting is harsh and contrast-y

LAYERED LIGHTING IS SOFTER, MORE NATURAL, AND MORE PLEASING

Focus is on art and floral arrangement

Light sources are concealed

Texture of wood and wall highlighted

Room appears inviting

CREATING A DRAMATIC FOCAL POINT IS ONE FUNCTION OF LIGHTING

What is highlighted in this room?

The table top is noticed first

Then the plant in background, and then area near window

LIGHTING CAN HELP CREATE AN ILLUSION

(cove lighting used on previous slide)

These pools of light create drama and interest by highlighting the stone floor

They also subtly direct the viewer to the next room

Accent lights draw attention to art or architecture

Notice the spot shining above the fireplace?

On the tree?

On the statue on the far wall?

Lamp on the end table?

Spots on stone, beams, hearth, dining table

Highlight texture and shadow with wall-washers

Up-lights on glass table–

with glass art objects

Architecture highlighted: Lighting in shelf area, spot over fireplace, down-lights on sofa tables

Lighting is ideal for creating ceiling interest

Plant shadows are one way to bring in some lighting “texture”

Picture light, lamps, up-light in plant, spot on round table

Now that is a bedroom ceiling! This could be built into any high-ceilinged room…Note the cove lighting

A restaurant ceiling with cove lighting and gold leaf

See the ceiling spots?

Table lamps?

Torchiere?

Avoid the “black mirror” effect by placing lighting on objects outside a glass wall or door

THERE ARE THREE MAIN TYPES OF LIGHTING:

TASK LIGHTINGAMBIENT LIGHTINGACCENT LIGHTING

Task lighting is focused and specific lighting

Task lighting is not intended to light an entire room

Bedside task light can be wall or table lamps. Measure height of the seated user’s eye level, and place opaque shades just above shoulder, or place the center of a translucent shade at their eye level.

A single center-mounted ceiling light is often not a good task light. In this case, the user’s body blocks the light from shining on the task area.

Track lighting and down-lights also need to be placed where they will shine on the task and not on those performing the task.

Under-cabinet lighting mounted at the front of the cabinet bounces light off the backsplash and onto the countertop—the task area

Lighting a counter and backsplash made from glossy material takes extra care--to avoid glare and veiling reflections: mount adjustable recessed luminaires to give cross-illumination

Another example of a single source of light giving harsh shadows and no “fill” light

Linear task lights mounted near the back of the upper cabinet create a distracting glare for a seated diner—mount at front and use a fascia strip

Sconces are a good source of task light and “fill” light in a bathroom