Light and lighting articles

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: A BSRIA topic guide TG 28/2025.
• 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.
• Xenon Lamp.
• Zip cord.