TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES

QUEZON CITY

“BASIC CONCEPTS
OF
INTERIOR LIGHTING”

ARCHITECTURAL INTERIOR

SUBMITTED BY:

DELA PENA, MERISSA

ESPELLA, LEXLYNN

CEDIE, JUANGA

LLARENAS, NIEL ALDEN

DELA CRUZ, GENNIE

SUBMITTED TO:

ARCH. GLENN ALMODAL

• FUNCTION LIGHTING

A. PERFORMANCE OF LIGHTING

Lighting to perform work, whether it is reading, assembling

parts, or seeing a blackboard, is referred to as task lighting. Visual
work is a primary functional reason for providing lighting.

B. ENHANCEMENT OF SPACE AND STRUCTURE

It is only through the presence of light that spatial volume,

planes, ornament, and color are revealed. For centuries, structural
system evolved partly in response to aesthetics as well as functional
desires for light of a certain quality.

C. FOCUSING ATTENTION

The quality of light in a space profoundly affects people’s perception

of that space. The timing and the direction of an individual’s gaze are
often a function of the varying quality and distribution of light
through the space. Lighting draws attention to points of interest and
helps guide the user of a space.

D. PROVISION OF SAFETY AND SECURITY

Lighting can enhance visibility and thereby engender a sense of

security. Lighting can also be used to illuminate hazards, such as a
changing floor plane or moving objects.
• ILLUMINANCE
Measure of incident light: the amount of light, evaluated according
to its capacity to produce visual stimulation that reaches a unit of surface
area during a unit of time. It is measured in lux.

Light Level

Light intensity measured on a plane at a specific location is called

Illuminance. Illuminance is measured in foot-candles, which are work plane
lumens per square foot. You can measure illuminance using a light meter
located on the work surface where tasks are performed. Using simple
arithmetic and manufacturers' photometric data, you can predict illuminance
for a defined space. (Lux is the metric unit for illuminance, measured in
lumens per square meter. To convert foot-candles to lux, multiply foot-
candles by 10.76.)

• LUMINANCE
Quality of being luminous: the condition or quality of emitting or
reflecting light

Measure of brightness: a measure of the brightness of a surface,

equal to the amount of luminous flux arriving at, passing through, or leaving a
unit area of surface. It is measured in candelas per square meter.

Brightness

Another measurement of light is luminance, sometimes called

brightness. This measures light "leaving" a surface in a particular direction,
and considers the illuminance on the surface and the reflectance of the
surface.

The human eye does not see illuminance; it sees luminance. Therefore,
the amount of light delivered into the space and the reflectance of the
surfaces in the space affects your ability to see.
• LIGHT SOURCE SELECTION
A. Color
Each lamp family has its own inherent color characteristics. The
different light sources render color qualities differently and create varying
perceived color effects.

B. Size
• Point Source
- e.i bare incandescent lamps
- can be controlled where light is not and can provide sparkling a
space by means of reflections off polished room surfaces
• Line Source
- e.i. bare fluorescent tubes and linear fluorescent
fixtures
- can be controlled in their transverse axis of out, but
not longitudinally.
- useful for lighting large open areas where repetitive
rows of fixtures are suitable
• Area Source
- e.i. window
- provide medium to high levels of light with little directional control.

C. Efficiency

A source’s inherent efficiency can be crucial to its acceptability for energy

conservation. Some sources such as incandescent and tungsten halogen possesses
desirable color, size and cost advantages, but is relatively inefficient.

D. Lamp Life

Lamp life varies significantly from source to source and is important

operational factor for most projects. Sort-lived should be avoided whenever
possible in hard to reach areas. Sorter life lamps may offer some first-cost
advantages, but trade-offs in long-term maintenance must be explored.

E. Maintenance
• ESTABLSHING LIGHTING DESIGN CRITERIA
A. Quantity of Illumination

1. Light Output

2. Light Level

3. Brightness

B. Quality of Illumination

Improvements in lighting quality can yield high dividends for US

businesses. Gains in worker productivity may result by providing corrected
light levels with reduced glare. Although the cost of energy for lighting is
substantial, it is small compared with the cost of labor. Therefore, these
gains in productivity may be even more valuable than the energy savings
associated with new lighting technologies. In retail spaces, attractive and
comfortable lighting designs can attract clientele and enhance sales.

Three quality issues are addressed in this section.

• glare
• uniformity of illuminance
• color rendition
C. Color of Light

D. Suitable Luminaire Styles

• CONTRAST
The relationship between the luminance of an object and its
background.

- “If all objects and surfaces in a room receive equal emphasis from light,

contrast will lose”

- “Patterns of luminance contrast evoke positive emotions”

- “Lighting contrast can affect the performance of tasks, the behavior of

people and the degree of contentment and pleasure”

 To establish pattern of luminance contrast:

- Evaluate the activities or tasks that will occur in the space

- Develop patterns of light and shade

• THRE-DIMENSIONAL FORMS

Three-dimensional forms are seen as a pattern of luminance contrasts,

often consisting of highlights and shadows. A Change in this pattern, caused by

a change in the direction and distribution of light, alters visual impressions of

form and surface.

• PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF LIGHTING

o Impression of SPACIOUSNESS

“The higher the luminance values are

often described as clear, bright,
distinct, large and more spacious.”
 o Impression of PLEASANTNESS
“The nonuniform luminance is often
perceived as more friendly, pleasant,
sociable and interesting.”

o Impression of PERCEPTUAL
CLARITY

“Lighting schemes that are rated

high in facial clarity are considered
more public; schemes that are rated low
in facial clarity are considered more
private.”

Basic Types Of Lighting

General Lighting provides an area with overall illumination.

Also known as ambient lighting, general lighting radiates a
comfortable level of brightness, enabling one to see and
walk about safely. It can be accomplished
with chandeliers, ceiling or wall-mounted
fixtures, recessed or track lights, and
with lanterns outside your home. A basic
form of lighting that replaces sunlight,
general lighting is fundamental to a lighting plan.
Task lighting helps you perform specific tasks such as
reading, sewing, cooking, homework, hobbies, games, or
balancing your checkbook. It can be provided by recessed
and track lighting, pendant lighting, and portable lamps.
Task lighting should be free of distracting glare and
shadows and should be bright enough to prevent eyestrain.

Accent Lighting adds drama to a room by creating visual

interest. As part of a decorating scheme, it is used to
spotlight paintings, houseplants, sculpture, and other
prized possessions, or to highlight the texture of a wall,
drapery or outdoor landscaping. Accent lighting requires
at least three times as much light on the focal point as
the general lighting around it. This usually is provided by
track, recessed, or wall-mounted fixtures.
WHAT TO LIGHT

AND

HOW TO LIGHT IT
DINING SPACES

The lighting must make people, the table setting, food and prized
possessions look their best.

Focal Point

For the dining table, the main consideration is to enhance the

color and texture of the food and the complexions and apparel of the diners,
creating a festive mood bi highlighting the table setting.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting brings featured objects or special areas to

light: the painting, the sideboard, the flower arrangements.

Tips for Lighting

• Focus your dining table surface with ceiling down lights. It will reduce the
glare from diner’s eyes.
 • Put candles and fuel lamps in ornamental holders. It will make your dinner
highly special.
• Provide special lighting effects or low voltage mini lights on chinaware
and crockery display units.
• Hang chandeliers 30-36 inches above dining table.
• Use dimmer to make your meal time great for each occasion.

LIVING ROOMS

The lighting should be flexible enough to provide for the range of tasks,
situation and desired aesthetics effects.

Focal Point
The fir place wall is the focal point. The main objectives are high-
lighting the texture and colors of the stonework and of the hood over the hearth
and enhancing the beauty of the art objects.
General Lighting
General Lighting is supplied in most positions of the room by
reflections of light directed to the walls and furnishings.
Task Lighting
This is needed to supply extra lighting for seeing small details, such as
the game table, and the titles of the books and for the lounge chairs and sofas.
Controls
Permit the lighting to be varied according to the occasion,
conversation, a party, reading, listening to recordings, etc
Lighting Tips

• Show your interesting paintings by using low voltage halogen lights.

• Use combination of lights like general lights with halogen lights for uniform
distribution of light.
• Utilize controlled lighting system to specify separate areas in your living
room.
• Try layered lighting in your living room for different look.
• Make use of low voltage fixtures in china cabinets to highlight things that
you want to accent in living room.
• Illuminate photos or other decorative plants displayed on your living room
wall with wall sconces, recessed lighting or track lighting.

KITCHEN SPACES
The lighting scheme should provide a combination of general, task, and
accent lighting, controlled to suit the activity.

General Lighting

General Lighting is needed to see into cabinets and drawers and for
ease of moving about.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is needed at the counter, the sink and the stove. These
areas are often in shadows; therefore, the lighting should come from in front of
the person.
 Lighting Controls

Lighting controls allow one set the lighting for the activity: food
preparation, a late snack, or breakfast.

BEDROOM

Dim it
 Try not to have too many lights in the bedroom. Sometimes all you
need to prepare for bed are soft lights from matching bedroom lamps.

Blind it

When natural light gets too bright, like the tropics, use well-designed
blinds to diffuse and control the light.

Light Color

The color of the bedroom walls will affect how much lighting is
needed, so bear in mind that dark tones absorb light, and pale colors reflect it.

Bed Switch

Just as you can switch lights on the door, you should also be able to
switch them off from the bed. This is to prevent the need to get out bed prior to
nodding off.