Create Captivating Spaces through Architectural Lighting
Creating dynamic and inspiring spaces is the ultimate goal of any architect. Architectural lighting is one of the tools that can be used to achieve this. The challenge is knowing how and when to use it, as well as which type of lighting works best for a given project or space. Here are 5 rules for architectural lighting to help you get started. Each space has its own character and personality. These characteristics are often triggered by natural light, but artificial lighting also plays an important role in creating the right ambience for space and bringing out its best qualities. There are many types of artificial lights available today. Fluorescent lighting, LED lights, neon lights—each one has its own pros and cons, as well as areas where they’re most effective. The trick is knowing when each one should be used and which types will work best for your project or space.
Use natural light as much as possible
The first rule for architectural lighting is to use natural light as much as possible. This is the oldest and most reliable form of lighting, so it makes sense to try to make the most of it first.
Adding natural lighting to existing structures can increase their value. The spaces appear larger, and large openings allow a natural flow of greenery inside the building. It is also possible to enhance the quality of interior decorations by controlling sunlight through openings properly.
If you can’t use natural light in a space, then you’ll have to use other types of artificial lighting. There are a few situations where you might have to use artificial lighting even if there’s plenty of natural light. If your space doesn’t have any windows or if the windows aren’t facing a source of natural light, then architectural lighting will be the only way to introduce light into the room.
Combine different types of lighting to get the best results
No single type of lighting is perfect for every situation. Therefore, it’s best to combine different types of architectural lighting to get the best results. For example, if you want to create an inviting and cosy ambience in a living room, you could use warm-coloured incandescent lights. At the same time, if you want to direct attention to a particular feature, such as art on the walls, then you could use cool-coloured fluorescent light. A combination of different architectural lighting types can help to create a variety of moods and atmospheres in a space, as well as different visual effects.
Using different types of lighting can also help to reduce energy consumption by supplementing abundant sources of light with less effective ones, such as incandescent or fluorescent lighting.
Make sure your architectural lighting is functional
Architectural lighting doesn’t only create a mood and atmosphere, it also needs to be functional. If you’re designing an office space, architectural lighting will play a major role in helping employees do their jobs. This means lighting should help to illuminate the workspace, but not be so bright it causes eye strain or distracts from the task at hand. If you’re designing a kitchen, lighting should be functional in more ways than one. Architectural lighting can help with food preparation, as well as overall kitchen design. This is because lighting can be used to showcase artistic design elements, as well as for practical purposes, such as installing LED strips for task lighting.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with colours and shapes
There are no hard-and-fast rules regarding the best colour for architectural lighting. In fact, you don’t even have to choose one specific colour. You can blend colours together or purchase light fixtures that give off a variety of colours. You can also play around with the shapes of your light fixtures. A circle or a square wouldn’t be the only geometric shapes to consider. You could also try diamonds, lozenges, or other shapes. You could even try using prismatic architectural lighting. Depending on the type of architectural lighting you use, you might have to consider the advantages of colour-changing LED lights. LED light fixtures typically come in white, but you can also find RGB or RGBW fixtures that allow you to choose from a variety of colours.
Don’t forget about light controls!
Architectural lighting can help to create a unique atmosphere for your space, but too much light can be just as bad as too little light. Excessive light can be a distraction and make it difficult to work in a space. Therefore, architectural lighting should include light controls. Full architectural lighting projects, such as those created with a Lighting Design Consultant, will include recommendations for each type of architectural lighting needed for the space. These recommendations will include the number of fixtures needed, their wattage and placement, as well as the type of light fixtures to use.
Wrap-Up
As you can see, each type of architectural lighting has its own uses and benefits. Fluorescent lighting is best for illuminating workstations, while incandescent lighting can help to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Likewise, architectural lighting doesn’t have to be expensive. You can achieve the same effect with inexpensive Pasolite LED lights as with more expensive and elaborate architectural lighting.