Lighting
The term ‘lighting’ refers to equipment, the primary purpose of which, is to produce light. This is typically some form of lamp, but lighting can also refer to the use of natural light to provide illumination.
Light is the electromagnetic radiation that exists within a certain portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In terms of 'visible light', i.e. that which enables the sense of sight, it is the part of the spectrum that can be detected and seen by the eye.
The level of light on a surface is described as ‘Illuminance’ and is measured in lux (lx), where one lux is equal to one lumen per square metre (lm/m²) and a lumen is the SI unit (International System) of luminous flux, describing the quantity of light emitted by a lamp or received at a surface.
In relation to external lighting, Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria, published by The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning in 2017 suggests that: ‘Lighting performs a number of functions, from supporting way-finding, orientation and safe movement at night to providing a decorative effect for building facades, landmarks and paths. Lighting systems can be large- scale and utilitarian, or small and ornamental. They may use overhead lamps, bollards, up-lights, bulkhead or veranda lighting, feature and facade illumination. Shop display lighting can also contribute to overall public realm lighting levels. Lighting is critical to creating a public realm that is safe and inviting for users.’
Articles on Designing Buildings about lighting include:
- Adequate lighting.
- Architectural LED market.
- Aspects of daylighting design covered by EN 17037.
- Ballast or control gear.
- BRE Expert Collection 6 Daylight and shading.
- BREEAM Internal and external lighting.
- BREEAM Reduction of night time light pollution.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control.
- Colour.
- Colour appearance.
- Colour Rendering Index CRI.
- Commercial lighting.
- CIBSE Case Study Hepworth Gallery Lighting.
- Daylight factor.
- Daylight lighting systems.
- Daylit space.
- Designing daylight solutions for commercial buildings.
- Dichroic reflector.
- Discharge lamp.
- Emergency lighting.
- EN 17037 Daylight in buildings.
- Extra-low voltage lamps.
- General lighting v task lighting.
- Glare.
- Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
- Human-centric lighting.
- Illuminance.
- Lamp efficacy.
- Light as a Service LaaS.
- Light fitting.
- Light obstruction notice.
- Light pollution.
- Light spill.
- Light well.
- Lighting and energy efficiency.
- Lighting and health infographic.
- Lighting control.
- Lighting designer.
- Lighting energy numeric indicator LENI.
- Lighting in commercial buildings.
- Lighting of construction sites.
- Lighting for circadian rhythms.
- Luminaire efficacy.
- Luminous flux.
- Metamaterials.
- Natural light.
- People-friendly lighting controls.
- Power factor.
- Rights to light.
- Separate zoning control.
- Smart lighting market to 2020.
- Smart office lighting.
- Space classifications for lighting controls.
- Specialist process lighting.
- Street lighting.
- The essential guide to retail lighting.
- The impact of lighting in retail design.
- Types of lamp.
- Types of lighting.
- Types of building EN 17037 applies to.
- Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.
- Visible light.
- Working with lighting maintenance contractors.
Featured articles and news
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.