Architectural lighting has been through something of an evolution. As illumination technologies advanced, so did the ability of fixture designers to incorporate myriad architectural styles into their products. Architectural lighting starts with the gas lamp fixtures of the 19th century and then progresses to the technological advances of electric lighting. Combination electric and gas lamps were even used, briefly, as the public transitioned from one technology to another. The incandescent lamp reigned supreme for more than 50 years until the introduction of fluorescent lighting, in the 1930s, which quickly took over as the principal illumination source for the modern office and store.
The electric lamp presented a new opportunity for lighting designers, who shaped fixtures in a variety of architectural motifs. This spans Classical, Colonial, Art Deco, and Modern are common names in light fixture catalogues, particularly those marketed for residential use. With origins in candles and gas lighting, chandeliers made the aesthetic conversion to electricity a somewhat easy one.
Ceiling lighting
Later innovations include the integration of lighting into ceiling systems, a development that prevails today. This is a type of lighting you will see around today in no end of spaces. This is the case whether you may be in a retail space or even a car showroom; what stays the same is the way this is the main fixture you are likely to see.
The latest trends we are likely to see
Lighting trends ranging from overhead pendants, elegant sculptural shapes and styles and bespoke fittings are just some of the lighting trends likely to be seen in the foreseeable future. It is an essential component to a successful design scheme. Also, lighting is even more key in the winter months of the year too. This is of course a time in the year when we spend far more time indoors than usual.
Off the back of the pandemic and the way things have been shaken up, the new focus has been drawn into our homes and we’re acutely aware of how important it is for our homes to be both comfortable and beautiful. So while everything – including lighting – needs to have a purpose, it also needs to look good.
Creating an inner balance
To create a successful balance between lighting and architecture, it’s important to remember three key aspects of architectural lighting:
- aesthetic
- function
- efficiency
Aesthetic is where designers and architects focus on the emotional impact the balance of lighting and architecture will have on occupants. It’s where designers determine how they want people to feel when they walk around a space. This aspect is especially important for retail locations; exterior lighting should draw the consumer in, and the interior lighting should awe them as they walk through the doors in addition to showing off product.
Another aspect
The second aspect, function, cannot be overlooked. We want the lighting to look a certain way. From here, it is key that in turn it serves its most important purpose – to help us see. Areas should be illuminated so occupants feel safe when navigating a room or building. They need to be able to see the floor and walls around them, which should create a feeling of reassurance.
The final factor in all of this which is very important in today’s age of green building and sustainability movements. It’s one thing to create a breathtaking lighting layout, but it’s another to create a breathtaking layout that is also incredibly energy efficient. This can be done by assuring the majority of the light is reaching its target and there is less wasted light. Reducing the amount of wasted light will make the building more efficient. An easy way this can be done is to install LEDs instead of fluorescent lighting. Because of the technology, there is less wasted light with LEDs than fluorescent due to the directional nature of LEDs.
How lighting and architecture works in sync
Before we get into how light and architecture impact one another, it’s important to know the main categories of buildings and what each try to accomplish with lighting. This group (public buildings) is comprised of sports arenas, libraries, hospitals, etc. These types of buildings are more concerned with providing the right amount of light for an event to be able to take place. Sporting events like football and baseball require the right amount of light so the players on the field can see and so the spectators can see the field.
It’s also important for when spectators go to and from their seats and navigate the rest of the arena/stadium. It’s the same concept with libraries and hospitals. In libraries, occupants need to have the proper light levels to read, write and find books. In hospitals need high light levels for doctors and nurses to successfully do their jobs.
Also important..
To enhance architectural elements and evoke emotions, it’s important to understand spatial borders and how to properly light them. To enhance vertical borders for example, light should be directed towards wall surfaces. If there is a wall that is a different texture, or simply one that the occupants should notice more than others, wall washing is a great tool. It will draw attention to the wall and make it appear as its own architectural element instead of a piece of an entire room. This can be used in retail locations to draw more attention to wall displays.
Architects use many different types of materials to alter the way light enters a building and the way artificial light interacts with interior architecture. One of the most common structural materials is glass. Whether it’s the use of completely transparent or translucent glass materials, glass can have many different effects on buildings. Natural colours can change throughout the day and this in turn makes a vast difference as to how the lighting will work.
Conclusion
Architectural lighting is just as important as the architecture itself. Using different materials, colors and textures with different types of lighting can affect the way people feel. This can also have a say of how you feel and experience a space. Whether it’s natural or artificial light, it enables us to appreciate architecture. It also allows for us to notice aspects we might not have seen without lighting. Next time you are in a museum, office building, library, sporting arena this is a great time to pause. Look around for a moment and really take stock of where you are and what you have around you.
