Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in the comfort and safety of occupants of

the building. Lighting contributes to the decor of a room and should be
both decorative as well as functional without causing glare or appearing
flat and dull lighting needs.

1. Function: Certain specialized activities will require specific amounts and possible
certain kinds of light, function must be evaluated in terms of both quality and quantity
of light. E.g. reading, writing etc. all demand proper illumination. Functional lighting
will prevent eye strain and make it possible to carry out the activities in a comfortable
and efficient manner.

2. Safety: Improper lighting is a particular hazard in several areas that may escape
notice. E.g. staircases or doorways where there is a step up and step down. Another
aspect of safety involves adequate wiring and sufficient outlets for all needs. It is
dangerous as well as unattractive to use long extension cords. Electric wires should
never be placed under rugs where traffic is more.

3. Beauty: We begin to appreciate light on a decorative medium when we see a room

bathed in a pleasing glow of illumination. There is also a close relationship between
the type of light and appearance of colours.

IMPACT OF LIGHTING ON MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE

The selection of lighting systems, light intensity, its colour and the accessories used influence
the mood and atmosphere of the room. Lighting in the bedroom should be warm and
relaxing. Yet, it should be bright enough to observe the articles in the room. Light of low
wattage and medium wattage is suitable. Using dimmer switches can change the atmosphere
and mood. A series of down lighters and wall washers will be suitable to light up the room
and prevent glare to the occupants. Subsidiary lighting by the telephone, mirror, coats rack
may be necessary. In a restaurant, a relaxing mood can be created by using pelmet lights and
pendent lamps above the table. The light should be dim around the people, but with medium
wattage over the food.

Passageways should be visible. Candle lights may also be used to create a romantic
ambience. Bright pools of light alternating with shadows provide a warm welcome. Lights in
office area must provide general light as well as spot lighting on the table. Reading lights
should be situated behind the user at the top left hand side.
 Importance of Lighting
Light has a definite emotional effect and can be very stimulating. Light is exciting while
darkness is depressing. Proper lighting illuminates what we want to see. Light that is too
bright exhausts physically and can be tiring. Lighting thus plays both a functional and an
aesthetic role in a hotel.

Daylight is an important factor in the appearance of a room, so much so that no décor plans
should be made without considering the amount of light that enters a room or is prevented
from entering the room by the décor. As much daylight as is desired can be procured by
means of glass walls or large windows extending from floor to ceiling. Curtains that can be
drawn together or pushed back can also control the amount of light entering a room to suit the
time of day and the needs of the occupants.

Artificial light is used to substitute as well as in association with daylight. It can be used to
contrast or add emphasis by highlighting specific areas. It can also produce a harmonious
effect throughout a room in addition to serving its basic function of producing visibility.

Effective lighting has been a focus for improving the aesthetics of a hotel for quite some time
now. Many architects utilize lighting as prime tool in their innovative designs to bring out the
ambience and quality of experience in the hotel, especially in its guestrooms. Lights also
affect spatial perception (ambience of a specific ). When an architect designs the interiors of a
hotel room, he or she must consider whether the effect of lighting used in any design has been
enhanced or subdued by various other factors, or whether the required effect or the optimum
level of light has been achieved as designed. Even a slight glare from the lighting in a room
can cause annoyance or discomfort to guests who stay in it.

While designing the lighting in a room, the architect also has to keep in mind that materials
such as mirrored glass, polished aluminium, or stainless steel surfaces used in the decoration
of hotel guestrooms can help to provide excellent directional control and also act as efficient
reflectors. These materials are most effectively used in creating special decorative effects in
the room. On the other hand, materials such as clear glass or plastics have very low
absorption and high transmission values. They can be used as protective cover plates for
concealed light sources.

A good lighting design is realized if –

1. All spaces (entry, transition, linger, work, and exit) are properly composed in a clear
hierarchy of importance and purpose.
2. Make it possible to see quickly without strain.
3. The lighting mood is consistent with the function and design of each space and is pleasing to
the eye.
4. It promotes productivity.
5. Eliminates hazards.
6. It is readily maintainable.
7. It is energy effective.
8. It has fully utilized the potential of daylight, when it is available.

TYPE OF LIGHTING

1. SOURCE BASED CLASSIFICATION

2. CLASSIFICATIONS ON THE BASIS OF DIRECTION
3. CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTION

Classification of lights based on

source

LIGHT

NATURAL ARTIFICIAL

INCANDESCENT/FILAMENT FLUORESCENT/DISCHARGE

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-planned 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. At night, much of a room character is determined by artificial illumination.
This can be accomplished with the different types of lighting fixtures available.
Artificial light can be further classified depending upon the way it is produced and
the way it is used.
On the basis of the way artificial light is produced, it
can be classified into-
1.Incandescent and filament light
2. Fluorescent/discharge

Incandescent and filament light

Incandescent/filament Here, light is produced by
heating any material, usually metal, to a
temperature at which it glows. Typical
incandescent bulbs have a tungsten filament in a
sealed glass container. The advantage of this type
of lighting is that the fixtures and bulbs cost less
than the fixtures and tubes used in the fluorescent
or discharge types.

Many gas-filled varieties of incandescent bulbs

are now available. Among them are
GLS
(general lighting service) lamps,
which come in a wide variety- such as GLS
clear, GLS argents (with a milky coating for
glare-free diffused lighting), superlux (silica-
coated opalescent bulbs for a silvery light), and
special miniature lamps.
Halogen lamps are another
source of incandescent light.
These are filled with a
halogen-mixed gas filling. This
prevents the tungsten particles given
off by the incandescent filament
from condensing on the wall of the
bulb. Halogen lamps are mainly used
for floor lighting and as a light
source in projectors and motor
vehicle headlamps.

Fluorescent/discharge
Fluorescent tubes are a luminescent or cold (not produced by heat source of
light. A glass tube with an inside coating of fluorescent powder is filled with
vaporized mercury and argon. The ends are then sealed with two cathodes.
When the electric current activates the gases in it, invisible UV rays cause the
fluorescent coating to produce visible light. Although fluorescent tubes come
only in straight or circular shapes, they have considerable diversity in colour.
They also consume less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Depending on the pressure inside the tube. they can further be classified into
low pressure and high pressure lamps.

Low-pressure lamp
These are the most widely used tubular fluorescent lamps. They are primarily
low pressure mercury tubes, generally in the form of a long tubular bulb with an
electrode sealed into each end and containing mercury vapour at low pressure,
with an inert gas for starting the reaction. When a discharge is started, UV rays
are produced. The fluorescent powder coating the inner surface of the tube
convert these UV rays into visible light.

High-pressure lamps
These include high-pressure mercury vapour HPMV) and high pressure sodium
vapour (HPSV lamps. HPMV lamps produce a bluish white light, whereas
HPSV produce a golden yellow light.

Classification based on the way light is directed

Direct lighting
This kind of light comes from such sources as ceiling fixtures or luminous
ceilings that shed light downwards, 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 a wall and then is reflected back
through the room. It is softer than direct lighting, but often more costly in both
installation and operation. When used imaginatively, though, indirect lighting
can dramatize a space. Otherwise, it may be monotonous and needs to be
combined with local lighting,
Diffused lighting
When light fittings 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
reflected off the ceiling where the fixture is open on top. This is called semi-
indirect lighting.

Light-emitting diode (LED)

LEDs use semi-conductors to convert electrical energy directly into light. They are only
recently becoming available as a light source for lighting purposes, and are highly efficient
and long lasting.

LED torches are becoming very popular, as they provide a far longer battery life than other
types of light source.

LEDs are a rapidly developing lighting technology and one of the most energy-
efficient lamps available. Compared to incandescent lamps, they can use around 75% less
energy and can last 25 times longer although they can be more expensive. They are generally
highly regarded for their comparable or better-quality light output compared to
other lighting types.

CLASSIFICATION ON THE BASIS OF FUNCTION-

1. GENERAL OR AREA LIGHTING:-This illuminates the whole room equally. This brings
the design and colour of the room to uniform attention. This eliminates the bulkiness of the
furniture, the darkness of shadow and harsh contrasts.
2. LOCAL OR SPECIFIC LIGHTING:-Local lighting can be provided
by the lamps at strategic place. Fixtures attached on walls, under cabinet etc are grown in
popularity. Chandeliers are the most popular form of local lighting.

This is of two types

1.Task lighting
 reading or either close work
 sewing, needle work etc.
 cooking, especially in area where knives are employed.

2.Accent lighting

 highlighting a painting
 focusing on an architectural element
 breaking up a large room into an island
 visually enlarging a room