Light and Architectural

Lighting Systems

Continuation
 Lighting Systems
1. Characteristics of Good Illumination
The following are the characteristics of a good illumination:
• The light source should not strike the eyes of the worker.
• The type and size of the lamp should be correct.
• Location of light sources should be proper.
• Reflecting equipment should be suitable.

2. Advantages of Correct Illumination:

• Factory production increases
• Accidents decrease
• Wastage of jobs decreases

3. Advantages of a Well Designed Lighting Scheme

• Adequate illumination
• Avoidance of glare and hard shadows
• Sufficient uniform distribution of light all over the workplace
 Lighting Systems
4. Factors affecting illumination
• Brightness
• Contrast. It is the difference in brightness between an object
and its background.
• Glare. There are two types of glare: (a) direct glare and (b)
indirect glare
• Diffuseness
5. Artificial Sources of Light
Different methods of producing light by electrical means are
the following:
• By temperature incandescence
• By establishing an electric arc between two carbon
electrodes
• By electric discharge
 Lighting Systems
Kinds of Lighting System
• Direct Lighting. In this type of lighting most of the light falls directly to
the surface or the spot which is required to be illuminated. In this
system, about 90% of the total light energy falls on the object.

• Indirect Lighting. In this case light does not reach the surface directly
but it is being reflected or say, indirectly illuminated. The lamps are
either placed behind a cornice or in suspended opaque bowls. In this
case about 90% of light energy falls to the ceiling and then it comes to
the object. There is an opaque reflector below the lamp. This type of
lighting is used for decoration purposes in cinema, dancing halls, etc.

• Semi-direct lighting. This system utilizes luminaires which send most

of the light downwards directly on the working plane but a considerable
amount reaches the ceilings and walls also.
 Lighting Systems
• Semi-Indirect Lighting. This lighting system lies between the direct and
indirect lighting wherein the light is partially received by diffuse reflection
and partly direct from the source. In this system about 60 to 90% light-
upward and remaining downwards. This type of lighting is mostly used for
decoration purposes.
• General Diffusing System. In this lighting system, luminaires are
employed which have almost equal light distribution downwards and
upwards.
• Lighting systems can be further classified in terms of the following:
• Percentage of light that falls downward towards the work plane
• Percentage of light towards the walls and ceilings

Type of Lighting system % downward % upward

Direct 90 10
Semi-direct 60 40
General diffuse 50 50
Semi-indirect 40 60
Indirect 10 90
 Lighting Systems

• Specular Reflection – it is a type of reflection when a total

reflection of an incident light does not occur but a small portion of
it is absorbed by the reflecting surface and an image of the
source is formed.

• Diffuse Reflection – it is a type of reflection where the incident

light is scattered or diffused in all directions hence no image of
the source is formed.

• Perfect Diffuser – it is one that scatters light uniformly in all

directions. A white blotting paper is the nearest approach to a
perfect diffuser.
 Objectives of Good Lighting Design
For a good lighting design, the following have to be met:

1. In accordance with Code requirements and architecture and

interior design
2. Looks good
3. Provide the proper amount of light in every room
4. Be built and constructed within budget
5. Environmentally responsible and efficient
6. Produce good color
7. Achieve the desired moods of each space
8. Proper control of the lights
9. Facilitates daily functions and tasks such as eating, working
10. Enhance comfort and communication
11. Easy to maintain
 Light Source Selection

Two Important Measurement of a Good Light Source:

• Color Rendering Index
• Color Temperature
 Color Rendering Index
Color Rendering Index – describes the quality of light on a scale of 0
(horrible) to 100 (perfect). This measurement illustrates the light
source’s ability to render the color of objects correctly.
Color Rendering Index Applications

Minimum Lamp
Applications
CRI
Noncritical industrial storage, and
< 50
security lighting
Industrial and general illumination
50 – 70
where color is not important
Offices, schools and recreational
70 – 79
spaces where color is not important
Hotels, restaurants, offices, schools,
80 – 89 hospitals, and retail where color quality
is important
Retail and museum/gallery where color
90 – 100
quality is critical
Approximate CRI for Different Commercially
Available Lamps
 Color Temperature
Color Temperature of a light source – describes whether the light
appears warm, neutral or cool. The term “temperature” refers to the light
emitted from a metal object heated to the point of incandescence. The
higher the temperature, the whiter or cooler the light source appears.
 Color Temperature Applications

Color Temperature
Applications
(in degrees Kelvin)
< 2500 Bulk industrial and security lighting
Residences, hotels, restaurants,
2700 – 3000 themed environments, and some
commercial office spaces
2950 – 3200 Display lighting in retail and galleries
3500 – 4100 Offices, schools, hospitals, some retail
Special applications where color
5000 – 7500 discrimination is critical; uncommon for
general lighting
THANK
YOU.