Lumen
Lumen is most commonly used in reference to lighting or illuminance. The lumen is the unit of luminous flux, a measure of the perceived power of visible light emitted by a source, in the International System of Units. The technical definition of a lumen is one candela multiplied by one steradian, a measurement of the amount of light that is contained in a certain area.
Lumen is also used in contemporary computer aided design, in particular 3D modelling and rendering. Lumen is a commonly used render technique, which takes into consideration lighting effects for more realistic renders.
Lumen is also a term used in biology, coming from the is Latin lumen, meaning an opening, which may describe the inside space of a tubular structure, such as an artery or intestine. In the same light lumen is used in material science, in particular it refers to an element in the structure of wood or timber. The lumen is the hollow centre of a cell, where hardwoods may be divided into ring-porous and diffuse-porous trees. In ring-porous trees the vessels laid down at the beginning of the growing season are much larger than subsequent vessels laid down at the end of the season (or ring)
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Government approach could undermine delivery and regeneration.
World's first mass timber data centre.
The overlooked environmental aspect of data centre development.
Introduction to radon awareness
New technical information sheet published by CIOB.
Updated supplier guide can help electrical contractors engage with NHP.
CIAT confirm the winners of the 2026 architectural technology awards.
Government launches a one stop shop for flood preparedness.
Sir Edwin Lutyens: Britain's greatest architect? Book review.
CIOB publishes free template to help assess and manage risks.
ECA's reflections on Party Conference season
Burnham wants to be confident of winning before asking for a fresh mandate.
New Chief Construction and Scientific Adviser
Sergio Cavalaro, Professor of Infrastructure Systems at Loughborough University.
Building safety levy for England
CIAT publish estimator tool for members.
Water sector faces a growing crisis that could slow the delivery of vital infrastructure.
















