Lighting design
Architectural lighting design: Essentials of lighting and its impact on spaces
Architectural lighting design: Essentials of lighting and its impact on spaces
Architectural lighting design brings residential and commercial spaces to life, using a combination of general, task, and decorative lighting to support a space’s functionality and ambiance.
Good lighting design complements architectural features, provides functional illumination, and contributes to the overall ambiance of a space. Image courtesy of Gensler / Jasper Sanidad.What is architectural lighting design?
What is architectural lighting design?
Lighting design is the process of combining various lighting elements to support the functions and aesthetics of a commercial or residential space. Designers use both natural and artificial light sources to complement architectural and design features, provide illumination for various activities, and shape the overall look and feel of a space. Architectural lighting design software can help designers make design choices that work with a specific space and meet the requirements of the client and occupants.
Lighting design is the process of combining various lighting elements to support the functions and aesthetics of a commercial or residential space. Designers use both natural and artificial light sources to complement architectural and design features, provide illumination for various activities, and shape the overall look and feel of a space. Architectural lighting design software can help designers make design choices that work with a specific space and meet the requirements of the client and occupants.
Lighting dramatically impacts the overall atmosphere of a designed space.An introduction to lighting design
An introduction to lighting design
Lighting is an essential aspect of any space, impacting its functionality and ambiance. In residential and commercial projects, lighting can be used to emphasize architectural elements or to highlight artwork, houseplants, and other interior design features. In some cases, light fixtures and installations can also serve as a focal point in the interior design of a space.
From a functional perspective, suitable light is needed in all spaces to allow occupants to move safely throughout an area and perform specific activities. Lighting can also influence the atmosphere of a space—making a room feel larger or smaller, relaxing or energizing.
Overall, lighting should work in harmony with the architectural design and interior design and support the functions of a space. To create this balance, lighting designers rely on several design principles and a broad knowledge of lighting fixtures and techniques.
Lighting is an essential aspect of any space, impacting its functionality and ambiance. In residential and commercial projects, lighting can be used to emphasize architectural elements or to highlight artwork, houseplants, and other interior design features. In some cases, light fixtures and installations can also serve as a focal point in the interior design of a space.
From a functional perspective, suitable light is needed in all spaces to allow occupants to move safely throughout an area and perform specific activities. Lighting can also influence the atmosphere of a space—making a room feel larger or smaller, relaxing or energizing.
Overall, lighting should work in harmony with the architectural design and interior design and support the functions of a space. To create this balance, lighting designers rely on several design principles and a broad knowledge of lighting fixtures and techniques.
Light layering in lighting design
A key principle of architectural lighting and design is light layering, or the use of multiple light sources to create a balanced and well-lit design. Every space will have several layers of direct and indirect light. The relative importance of each light layer in the overall design will depend upon the space and the intended function.
A key principle of architectural lighting and design is light layering, or the use of multiple light sources to create a balanced and well-lit design. Every space will have several layers of direct and indirect light. The relative importance of each light layer in the overall design will depend upon the space and the intended function.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting
Designers can start with a combination of light sources to create an ambient, or general, light layer that provides baseline illumination for a space. This can include the use of natural light entering through windows; artificial light sources like chandeliers, wall-mounted fixtures, and LED downlights; and light bouncing from reflective surfaces and materials.
Designers can start with a combination of light sources to create an ambient, or general, light layer that provides baseline illumination for a space. This can include the use of natural light entering through windows; artificial light sources like chandeliers, wall-mounted fixtures, and LED downlights; and light bouncing from reflective surfaces and materials.
Task lighting
Task lighting
The task layer includes any light source used to support specific activities and environments—like working at a desk with monitors in an office, reading a book in a library, preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, or viewing art in a gallery. Spaces may have multiple types of activities happening in them, each with distinct lighting demands. Room lights, desk lamps, under-cabinet lights, and vanity lighting can all be used for task lighting.
The task layer includes any light source used to support specific activities and environments—like working at a desk with monitors in an office, reading a book in a library, preparing meals in a commercial kitchen, or viewing art in a gallery. Spaces may have multiple types of activities happening in them, each with distinct lighting demands. Room lights, desk lamps, under-cabinet lights, and vanity lighting can all be used for task lighting.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting
The accent layer performs a particular function in a space, highlighting certain architectural or interior design features. This can be provided by track lighting, spotlights, and uplights. The angle, intensity, color, and number of these lights can also shape the effect.
The accent layer performs a particular function in a space, highlighting certain architectural or interior design features. This can be provided by track lighting, spotlights, and uplights. The angle, intensity, color, and number of these lights can also shape the effect.
Color temperature in lighting design
When working with artificial light sources for architectural lighting and design projects, designers must consider the type and quality of lighting—determined by correlated color temperature (CCT, or color temperature CT) and color rendering index (CRI).
When working with artificial light sources for architectural lighting and design projects, designers must consider the type and quality of lighting—determined by correlated color temperature (CCT, or color temperature CT) and color rendering index (CRI).
Color temperature
Color temperature
Thecolor temperature produced by a light source impacts the look and feel of an environment. Depending on the overall function of a space, lighting designers will select general or ambient lighting for commercial spaces that tend to have a slightly cooler color of light, compared to the warmer colors used for decorative lighting for wall lights or table lamps used in homes and restaurants.
Thecolor temperature produced by a light source impacts the look and feel of an environment. Depending on the overall function of a space, lighting designers will select general or ambient lighting for commercial spaces that tend to have a slightly cooler color of light, compared to the warmer colors used for decorative lighting for wall lights or table lamps used in homes and restaurants.
Color rendering index (CRI)
Color rendering index (CRI)
The CRIof a light source determines its ability to accurately represent, or render, the true colors of an object being displayed within an environment. This is especially important for accent lighting used to highlight specific products in an environment—like fresh produce in a grocery store or articles of clothing in a boutique shop.
The CRIof a light source determines its ability to accurately represent, or render, the true colors of an object being displayed within an environment. This is especially important for accent lighting used to highlight specific products in an environment—like fresh produce in a grocery store or articles of clothing in a boutique shop.
Autodesk architectural and lighting design software
Modern automated lighting controls make it easier to adjust a rooms lighting for different moods and tasks.Lighting controls
Lighting controls
Lighting controls tie together a lighting designer’s choices, allowing lighting to be changed to meet the various uses of the space and to adapt to shifts in natural daylight. In general, each layer should have separate control zones and dimming. This provides the ability to achieve specific visual effects, such as highlighting the entire space, setting the mood, or supporting important tasks. Controls can also be automated as single units or as part of a smart home or a building’s control system.
Lighting controls tie together a lighting designer’s choices, allowing lighting to be changed to meet the various uses of the space and to adapt to shifts in natural daylight. In general, each layer should have separate control zones and dimming. This provides the ability to achieve specific visual effects, such as highlighting the entire space, setting the mood, or supporting important tasks. Controls can also be automated as single units or as part of a smart home or a building’s control system.
Image courtesy of ASD|SKY and Thomas J. Story.Interior lighting design for commercial spaces
Interior lighting design for commercial spaces
The principles of architectural lighting design apply to residential and commercial design projects. Whether it’s a factory, office building, or suburban house, appropriate lighting can shape the aesthetics and mood of interior or exterior areas.
Based on the architectural features and overall functions of a commercial space, a lighting designer can use light layering and other design principles to support the activities in that area. Commercial lighting tends to be more varied than residential lighting and is geared toward providing spaces that allow occupants to be productive and safe. This might include illuminating workstations for specific tasks while keeping in mind employees’ health. Or it could include using lighting to provide maximum visibility in a facility or outdoor area.
The color temperature of light sources can be changed to an energizing cooler glow that provides a boost for focused work. Commercial buildings may also have spaces where the warmth and comfort of a home are desired, such as certain patient areas in a health care facility or creative spaces in an office building. In both cases, lighting design is tied directly to functionality.
The principles of architectural lighting design apply to residential and commercial design projects. Whether it’s a factory, office building, or suburban house, appropriate lighting can shape the aesthetics and mood of interior or exterior areas.
Based on the architectural features and overall functions of a commercial space, a lighting designer can use light layering and other design principles to support the activities in that area. Commercial lighting tends to be more varied than residential lighting and is geared toward providing spaces that allow occupants to be productive and safe. This might include illuminating workstations for specific tasks while keeping in mind employees’ health. Or it could include using lighting to provide maximum visibility in a facility or outdoor area.
The color temperature of light sources can be changed to an energizing cooler glow that provides a boost for focused work. Commercial buildings may also have spaces where the warmth and comfort of a home are desired, such as certain patient areas in a health care facility or creative spaces in an office building. In both cases, lighting design is tied directly to functionality.
Create detailed lighting specification plans with Revit and AutoCAD
Spec lighting design in Revit
Autodesk Revit can be used to create detailed, precise lighting plans for residential or commercial lighting projects. This software allows designers to place artificial lights on a building’s interior and exterior to create the desired effect. Users can also define lighting sources and their fixtures and organize them into light groups. Revit includes several lighting fixture families for wall lights, ceiling lights, table lamps, and other types of lighting fixtures, with the ability to import lighting fixture families from other sources, as well.
Spec lighting design in AutoCAD
Similarly, Autodesk AutoCAD lets designers add user-defined lights to a scene to create a natural and realistic appearance. Photometric (light energy) values allow users to define lights more precisely. AutoCAD also enables specifying light intensity and color temperature, as well as importing photometric files from lighting manufacturers.
Designers used Autodesk Fusion, generative design, and additive manufacturing to create this lamp.Go beyond lighting design into industrial design with Fusion
Go beyond lighting design into industrial design with Fusion
While commercially available lighting fixtures can achieve the goals of most lighting design projects, sometimes a more unique lighting source better fits the space. With 3D-printed lighting, designers can create customized lighting fixtures and installations that can be used in isolation or deployed throughout a project.
3D industrial design software such as Autodesk Fusion and AutoCAD allows professional lighting designers to take their design from idea to prototype to manufacturable 3D model. Autodesk Fusion also helps designers explore iterations with easy-to-use 3D modeling tools, test the performance of the design with 3D simulation tools, and produce high-quality CNC-machined parts with integrated CAD/CAM. AutoCAD equips designers to design and annotate 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects.
While commercially available lighting fixtures can achieve the goals of most lighting design projects, sometimes a more unique lighting source better fits the space. With 3D-printed lighting, designers can create customized lighting fixtures and installations that can be used in isolation or deployed throughout a project.
3D industrial design software such as Autodesk Fusion and AutoCAD allows professional lighting designers to take their design from idea to prototype to manufacturable 3D model. Autodesk Fusion also helps designers explore iterations with easy-to-use 3D modeling tools, test the performance of the design with 3D simulation tools, and produce high-quality CNC-machined parts with integrated CAD/CAM. AutoCAD equips designers to design and annotate 3D models with solids, surfaces, and mesh objects.
Lighting to support circadian rhythm
The choice of interior lighting for homes is also important for the health of the occupants. Certain kinds of artificial light, as well as limited exposure to natural daylight, may throw off your circadian rhythm, or the body’s natural 24-hour clock.
The choice of interior lighting for homes is also important for the health of the occupants. Certain kinds of artificial light, as well as limited exposure to natural daylight, may throw off your circadian rhythm, or the body’s natural 24-hour clock.
This disruption can have long-term effects on health, such as increasing the risk of heart problems, obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems. Special lighting fixtures can provide light that is similar to daylight, although more research is needed to know if this can keep circadian rhythms in sync with the natural world and improve health.
This disruption can have long-term effects on health, such as increasing the risk of heart problems, obesity, diabetes, and mental health problems. Special lighting fixtures can provide light that is similar to daylight, although more research is needed to know if this can keep circadian rhythms in sync with the natural world and improve health.
Modern lighting design trends
Lighting design trends are always changing based on shifts in design preferences, technological advances, and an increased focus on energy efficiency. Because lighting is both functional and decorative, lighting design is also influenced by current interior design trends.
Lighting design trends are always changing based on shifts in design preferences, technological advances, and an increased focus on energy efficiency. Because lighting is both functional and decorative, lighting design is also influenced by current interior design trends.
Decorative lighting
Decorative lighting
Lighting fixtures with textures, unique shapes, matte black, or clear glass can add a bold or dynamic element to any room. Minimalist and functional designs are also popular; these favor clean lines, a neutral color palette, and sleek shapes. Art deco lighting is also gaining popularity, as is the use of eco-friendly materials and lighting that incorporates a natural or earthy aesthetic.
Lighting fixtures with textures, unique shapes, matte black, or clear glass can add a bold or dynamic element to any room. Minimalist and functional designs are also popular; these favor clean lines, a neutral color palette, and sleek shapes. Art deco lighting is also gaining popularity, as is the use of eco-friendly materials and lighting that incorporates a natural or earthy aesthetic.
Indirect lighting
Indirect lighting
One recent trend related to the way spaces are lit is the greater use of indirect lighting. This type of lighting can brighten up a space without the harshness of an overhead light. Indirect lighting can be accomplished by using table lamps and wall sconces, ring lights that illuminate in all directions, or backlit mirrors that reflect the light.
One recent trend related to the way spaces are lit is the greater use of indirect lighting. This type of lighting can brighten up a space without the harshness of an overhead light. Indirect lighting can be accomplished by using table lamps and wall sconces, ring lights that illuminate in all directions, or backlit mirrors that reflect the light.
Wireless lighting
Wireless lighting
Advances in technology are also driving some of the recent design trends. This includes cordless and rechargeable lamps, which can provide illumination without unsightly cords snaking across the floor; they can also be easily moved to a new location.
Advances in technology are also driving some of the recent design trends. This includes cordless and rechargeable lamps, which can provide illumination without unsightly cords snaking across the floor; they can also be easily moved to a new location.
Programmable lighting
Programmable lighting
Advanced LED technology is becoming increasingly popular. LEDs are a sustainable choice due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan and also offer new ways of illuminating a space. These lights are increasingly versatile, allowing you to change the color temperature, brightness, or hue of light to create a specific mood in a room. These lighting fixtures can even be tied into a smart home system, with lighting automatically adjusted during certain times of the day.
Advanced LED technology is becoming increasingly popular. LEDs are a sustainable choice due to their energy efficiency and long lifespan and also offer new ways of illuminating a space. These lights are increasingly versatile, allowing you to change the color temperature, brightness, or hue of light to create a specific mood in a room. These lighting fixtures can even be tied into a smart home system, with lighting automatically adjusted during certain times of the day.
Autodesk architectural lighting design software resources
Creating lighting plans using Revit
Need lighting plans for permit drawings? Check out this module to learn how to create them in Revit.
Need lighting plans for permit drawings? Check out this module to learn how to create them in Revit.
Advanced lighting design and simulation for Revit
This Autodesk University presentation discusses methods for using Revit to develop a lighting design automatically.
This Autodesk University presentation discusses methods for using Revit to develop a lighting design automatically.
Lighting design in Revit
Learn the ins and outs of including lighting in your Revit designs, with information on lighting fixtures, light sources, photometric values, best practices, and more.
Learn the ins and outs of including lighting in your Revit designs, with information on lighting fixtures, light sources, photometric values, best practices, and more.
Lighting design in AutoCAD
Learn how to work with lighting in your AutoCAD designs, with resources on how to create point sources, spotlights, web lights, luminary assemblies, and more.
Learn how to work with lighting in your AutoCAD designs, with resources on how to create point sources, spotlights, web lights, luminary assemblies, and more.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on architectural lighting design
Both architectural lighting and decorative lighting play key roles in shaping the aesthetics, function, and efficiency of a space. In general, architectural lighting serves to enhance architectural features, draw attention to objects within a space, and support the activities that will occur there. When architectural lighting is well designed, it often goes largely unnoticed.
In contrast, decorative lighting is designed to be seen. These light fixtures supplement the ambient or general lighting but also bring beauty into a space.
Interior lighting design is the deliberate use of light to shape the aesthetics and function of a space. Good lighting can transform a space, making a room feel more comfortable, dramatic, or atmospheric. Lighting may also highlight other aspects of a space, such as architectural features like a textured wall or a marble floor, or specific objects in a room like artwork or antique furniture.
In some cases, the lighting fixtures themselves are a focal point. This kind of decorative lighting supports the ambiance and functions of a room while complementing the other design elements.
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of a space, shaping the look and feel of a room while also affecting the comfort and safety of its occupants. Lighting design can transform a drab room into one that is elegant or exciting. It can also highlight architectural features or artwork, furniture, or other interior fixtures.
Good lighting also provides sufficient light for people to move throughout a space and perform activities there safely. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain and headaches, as well as endanger the safety of occupants.