Light in architecture
Introduction
•The perception of space is directly connected to the way light integrates with it.
•What we see, what we experience and how we interpret the elements is affected by
how light interacts with us and with the environment.
•Regarding architecture, in whatever dimension it can be analyzed, either as space, as
material or as color, it is essentially dependant on the lighting situation that involves
both the object and the observer.
Lightwell Grand Central Terminal.
•The dynamic daylight and artificial lighting are able to instigate and provoke
different visual experiences and moods.
•Due to the light, it is possible to perceive different atmospheres in the same
physical environment.
• Light constitutes an element of fundamental relevance and therefore it plays a
significant role in the in architecture.
What Is Light?
•Light is the soul of architecture
design.
•Light allows us to see, to know
where we are and what around us.
•Beyond exposing things to view
and feel, light models those objects
to enhance visual and to help us
Natural light through brick jaalis
define the physical world.
•Nothing would be visible without
light, light also makes it possible to
express and show to the mind's eye
things that eludes the physical one.
Light
• Energy producing brightness: the energy
producing a sensation of brightness that
makes seeing possible
• Is visually perceived radiant energy on
the electromagnetic spectrum in the
range visible to the human eye.
LIGHT
NATURAL LIGHT ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
• Artificial light is seeing
• Natural light is a gift of
both during the day as
nature.
well as after dark.
Behavior of Light
• Light behavior can be divided into two
categories: how light interacts with matter
and how light travels, or propagates through
space or through transparent materials. The
propagation of light has much in common
with the propagation of other kinds of waves,
including sound waves and water waves.
Refraction
• is the bending of light when it passes from one
kind of material into another. Because light
travels at a different speed in different materials,
it must change speeds at the boundary between
two materials. If a beam of light hits this
boundary at an angle, then light on the side of
the beam that hits first will be forced to slow
down or speed up before light on the other side
hits the new material. This makes the beam bend,
or refract, at the boundary.
Reflection
• Reflection also occurs when light hits the boundary
between two materials. Some of the light hitting the
boundary will be reflected into the first material. If
light strikes the boundary at an angle, the light is
reflected at the same angle. Light that is reflected
from a flat boundary, such as the boundary between
air and a smooth lake, will form a mirror image. Light
reflected from a curved surface may be focused into a
point, a line, or onto an area, depending on the
curvature of the surface.
Types of Reflection
• Specular – Directed from a smooth polished
surface
• Diffused – A scattered reflection of light from an
irregular surface or an erratic dispersion through
a translucent material. Reflectance – The ratio of
the radiation reflected by a surface to the total
incident on the surface
• Absorptance – The ratio of the radiation
absorbed by a surface to the total incident on the
surface
• Transmittance – The ratio of the radiation
transmitted through and emerging from a body
to the total incident on it, equivalent to 1 minus
the absorption
Materials in relation to Light
• Opaque – Impenetrable to light
• Translucent – Transmitting and
diffusing light so that bodies on the
opposite side are not clearly visible
• Transparent – Capable of transmitting
light so that bodies situated beyond or
behind can be distinctly seen.
Lighting
The science, theory, or method of providing
illumination through the use electric lamps.
Relationship Between Light, Space and Human
•Light is fundamental for space and essential for human
well-being and it is the success of any building.
•Light quality affects human behaviour, health, comfort and
mood.
"Space and light and order. Those are the things that men
need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep"
-Le Corbusier, August27, 1965
•Light, space and human they effect and work with each
other.
•Space needs light to illuminate; light needs space to receive
it, light within the space change human experience.
Lighting and Psychology
Research has resulted in some approaches to lighting a
space that tend to reinforce some subjective
impressions.
• Visual Clarity: reinforced by bright, uniform lighting combined
with high brightness of the walls
• Spaciousness: reinforced by uniform wall lighting
• Relaxation: reinforced by non-uniform lighting and lower ceiling
brightness
• Privacy/Intimacy: reinforced by non-uniform lighting (low levels
around the occupants, higher levels further away)
• Pleasantness/preference: reinforced by non-uniform lighting
with high wall brightness
Lighting and Vision
Factors that affect visual performance dependent
on lighting
• Task Luminance
• Reflectance of a surface
• Veiling Reflections: reflections that create a
luminous veil over a visual task
• Glare: an annoying or painful sensation caused
by the non-uniformityof lighting
Veiling Reflection
Glare
Classification of Luminaires
• Recessed
• Ceiling Mounted
• Track Mounted
• Wall mounted
• Suspended
• Architectural
• Portable
• Pole Mounted
• Bollard
• Outdoor
The following means can reduce
discomfort glare:
• Decrease the luminance of the offending
source of light
• Reducing the area or size of the offending
source
• Increasing the luminance of surfaces
surrounding the offending source
Light Influence Mood
•The psychological factors should not be
overlooked.
•People need to change perspective in order to
relax the eyes and mood.
•Lack of natural light makes people feel depressed
and tensed
Light in bars
Light Create Atmosphere
•Light creates atmosphere.
•Many factors affect the building atmosphere.
•Natural light is one of the most important factors.
•Architect needs to use light to create a different
order and rhythm change the spatial effect gives
different atmosphere.
Light in conference hall
Lighting
•Lighting within the indoor environment can
be considered to have three basic purposes:
•To enable the occupants to work and move
about in safety.
•To enable tasks to be performed.
•To make the interior look pleasant.
There are two principle ways in which a
building can be lit.
•Naturally - by daylight received from the sky. Light Highlighting The Wall Pattern
•Artificially - by electric lamps or other
artificial light sources.
Artificial light on dance stage Natural light through window
Incandescence
Sources of Light
• In an incandescent light source, hot atoms collide with one
another. These collisions transfer energy to some electrons,
boosting them into higher energy levels. As the electrons release
this energy, they emit photons. Some collisions are weak and
some are strong, so the electrons are excited to different energy
levels and photons of different energies are emitted.
• Candle light is incandescent and results from the excited atoms
of soot in the hot flame. Light from an incandescent light bulb
comes from excited atoms in a thin wire called a filament that is
heated by passing an electric current through it.
Sources of Light
Luminescence
• A luminescent light source absorbs energy in some form
other than heat, and is therefore usually cooler than an
incandescent source. The color of a luminescent source
is not related to its temperature. A fluorescent light is a
type of luminescent source that makes use of chemical
compounds called phosphors..
Laser Sources of Light
• A laser is a special kind of light source that produces very regular waves that
permit the light to be very tightly focused. Laser is actually an acronym for
Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Each radiating charge
in a non laser light source produces a light wave that may be a little different
from the waves produced by the other charges. Laser sources have atoms
whose electrons radiate all in step, or synchronously. As a result, the electrons
produce light that is polarized, monochromatic, and coherent, which means
that its waves remain in step, with their peaks and troughs coinciding, over
long distances.
Artificial Light Sources
• Incandescent Lamps
• Fluorescent Lamps
• High – Intensity Discharge Lamps
• Mercury Lamps
• Metal Halide Lamps
• High Pressure Sodium Lamps
• Low Pressure Sodium Lamps
• Electrodeless Lamps
• Compact arc xenon and Mercury Lamps
• Electroluminescent Lamps
• Light Emitting Diodes
• Carbon arc Lamps
• Gaslights
Artificial Lighting
•It 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
Ambient Lighting:
• Ambient Lighting also known as general
lighting. is the most common type of artificial
lighting
•Ambient lighting provides an area with overall
illumination.
• It provides a space with a general glow,
without creating any shadows.
•It radiates a comfortable level of brightness
without glare and allows you to see and walk
about safely.
Accent Lighting:
• Accent lighting is directional light that
highlights a specific object, an architectural
detail, or other feature.
•Accent lighting adds drama to a space 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 of
a brick or stone wall, window treatments or
outdoor landscaping.
Task Lighting
•It is exactly what it says it is - lighting
that's used to help you perform daily
activities .
•Task lighting helps you perform specific
tasks, such as reading, grooming,
preparing and cooking food
•Task lighting should be free of distracting
glare and shadows and should be bright
enough to prevent eye strain.
Traditional Lighting
•In general, adds the decorative luminaries called
for by the architecture/interior design style,
period, motif.
•Is usually expected to contribute to the ambient
illumination.
•In many designs, the decorative lighting will be
the ambient lighting.
•Usually reduces contrast (drama).
