Artificial Lighting

Lecture by – Yohannes Tsegay (Architect)

Artificial Lighting

 Sources for artificial lighting

 Relationship of light in a space
 Cutsheet for light specification
 Relationship between light, space
and Human

 Light is the fundamental for space and essential for human well
– being and it is the success of any building.
 Light quality affects human behavior, health, comfort and mood.
 “Space, light and Order. Those are the things that men
need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep.”
 Le Corbusier, August 27, 1965

 Light, space and human they effect and work with each other.
Source of Artificial
Lighting
 Source of Artificial Light

Source of artificial light is from the human invention of

bulb. These bulbs can be classified majorly in four:-
Incandescent bulbs
Halogen bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs
LED
 Source of Artificial Light ……

Incandescent bulb - Incandescent

bulbs are the original form of
electric lighting and have been in use
for over 100 years. While Thomas
Edison is widely considered to be the
inventor of the incandescent bulb,
there are a number of people who
invented components and prototypes
of the light bulb well before Edison
did.
Incandescent light space
Lighting fixture for Modern
space look

Lighting fixture for older space look

Source of Artificial Lighting

 Halogen bulbs -
are incandescent lamps that
contain a small amount of
bromine or iodine added. These
types of bulbs are also known
as quartz iodine lamps or
tungsten halogen lamps. Xenon
lamps are very similar, except
that xenon gas is used instead
of halogen. Both serve to
extend the light bulb's lifespan.
Source of Artificial
Lighting

 Fluorescent bulbs- fluorescent

tube, is a low-pressure mercury-
vapor gas-discharge lamp that
uses fluorescence to produce
visible light. An electric current in
the gas excites mercury vapor,
which produces short-
wave ultraviolet light that then
causes a phosphor coating on the
inside of the lamp to glow.
Fluorescent Light in interior space

Artificial lighting in different spaces.

Source of
Artificial Lighting …

 LED (Light Emitting Diode)- is

a semiconductor device that emits
light when current flows through
it. Electrons in the semiconductor
recombine with electron holes, releasing
energy in the form of photons. The
color of the light (corresponding to the
energy of the photons) is determined by
the energy required for electrons to
cross the band gap of the semiconductor.
LED Light in interior space

Artificial lighting in different spaces.

Relationship of light in
a space
 Relationship of Light in a Space

Artificial light is made by human. It is very useful when

lack of natural light.
 Types of Artificial Lighting: -
General or Ambient Lighting
Accent or Directional Lighting
Traditional or Decorative Lighting
Task Lighting
Relationship of Light in a Space …

 General or Ambient Lighting – is the most common

type of artificial lighting. It provides an area with
overall illumination.
 It provides a room with a general glow, without
creating any shadows.
Typical examples of ambient lighting fixtures are
chandeliers and wall sconces.
 It radiates a comfortable level of brightness
without glare and allows you to see and walk
safely.
General or Ambient lighting in A
space examples
Relationship of Light in a Space …

 Accent or Directional Lighting – highlights a special

object, an architectural detail or other features.
 Accent lighting adds drama to a room by
creating visual interest.
This may be a spotlight of any sort or a lamp
with an opaque shade so that the light goes in a
particular direction.
 It can also be used to highlight the texture or a
break or stone wall, window treatments or outdoor
landscaping.
Accent or Directional lighting in A
space examples
Relationship of Light in a Space …

 Task Lighting – it is exactly what it says it is, lighting

that is used to help you perform daily activities.
 Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks, such as
reading, grooming, preparing and cooking food, etc…
Task lighting should be free of distracting flare and
shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eye
strain.
 Typical examples of task lighting are under counter
slight strips, offices, etc…
Task lighting in
A space examples
Relationship of Light in a Space …

 Traditional Lighting – in general, adds the

decorative luminaires called for by the
architecture / interior design, period, motif, etc….
 Is usually expected to contribute to the
ambient illumination.
 In many designs, the decorative lighting will
be the ambient lighting.
 Usually reduces contrast (drama).
Traditional or Decorative lighting
in A space examples
 Cutsheet for light
fixture in specification
 Cut sheet for light specification

Luminaire Literature : Cut sheet

Gives an idea of what a fixture is all
about
 Images
 Dimensional and requirements
 Show possibilities or option for a lighting
event
 Make sure we get the exact product we
are after
 Catalogue numbers
 Options and accessories
 Cut sheet for
light specification ….

Luminaire Literature : Cut sheet

 Information on a cut sheet
Physical basics
Fixture size, housing size, profile,
aperture size
Mounting requirements / recess
requirements
Aesthetics
Finish color
Trims, reflectors, diffusers
Accessories : baffles. Louvers, blades
Cut sheet for
light specification….

Luminaire Literature : Cut sheet

 Light Suitability
UL label, wet or damp listing
Glare, glare control
Dimming, switching, instant on/off
 Lamp basics
 Fixture lamp source options
 Number of lamps
 Lamp shape / length
 Fixture voltage options
 Fixture wattage max
Cut sheet for
light specification….

Luminaire Literature : Cut sheet

 Light Output / Performance
 Lumen output
 Efficiency
 Distribution shape
Lighting for tasks

The IES
(illuminating
Engineering
Society) are
the governing
body which is
in control body
for engineering
specialty.
 Lighting for Tasks …

 Recognize that illuminance is light onto a surface.

 units : lumens per square meter (lux)
 Does not tell us about:
 the appearance of the surface being lighted
 nor the perceived brightness of a space

 So why are lighting criteria of IES based on illuminance?

 concerned with lighting for specific tasks
 vision is based on contrast.
 Lighting for Tasks …

 IES considerations that affect criteria

 Age of participants
 Time allowed for tasks
 Importance of task
 Reflectance of surroundings
 Lighting for Tasks …

 Don’t rely on illuminance level recommendations that aren’t

relevant to your space.
 Get used to
 Full moon moonlight - 1 lux
 Movie theater walkway – 10 lux
 Dim romantic restaurant – 50 lux
 Comfortable living room – 100 – 150 lux
 Residential task / study – 200 – 350 lux
 Classroom / small office – 500 – 700 lux
Lighting for Tasks …

 Excessively bright open office – 700 – 850 lux

 1000+ lux very bright for an interior space
 2000+ lux unheard of for an average E level interior
End!!!