Bathroom lighting with two lamps. An effective approach to making lighting decisions thrives within the framework of a cherished maxim: "Make lighting design decisions at every step of the design process." Regrettably, architects and designers frequently find themselves "designing in the dark," following a trajectory of incessant design iterations only to illuminate the space once the design is fully conceived.
Contrarily, the suggested thought process advocates for a proactive approach, urging designers to seize every opportunity to contemplate how light integrates into a design. While light can certainly be "applied" to a preconceived space, its potential for greatness unfolds when it is seamlessly integrated at every stage of a project.
For design to ascend to greatness, lighting considerations must punctuate each significant design juncture. The outstanding design projects that captivate us span diverse tastes and styles, yet they share a common thread—an intentional integration of thoughtful lighting.
At the core of this philosophy is the acknowledgment that for every design decision, there exists a corresponding lighting decision capable of either bolstering or undermining the design's integrity. The more adept a designer becomes with light, the more instinctively they incorporate it into the decision-making process. With every choice concerning form, scale, material, and color, a complementary lighting decision surfaces.
When these lighting decisions organically evolve alongside the design process, the outcome is a depth of design unattainable by merely casting light upon a completed project. To underscore the importance of light, it is pertinent to understand how humans react and respond to it. Armed with an awareness of how light permeates our daily lives, designers can craft sophisticated effects through their lighting decisions.
Light Intensity
The enduring relationship between humans and light grants the latter unparalleled power to influence our subconscious, surpassing the impact of any other medium. This subconscious connection furnishes us with potent tools for shaping lighting atmospheres.
It is crucial to recognize that throughout the majority of human history, we have relied on the sun as our primary light source. The sun, in all its manifestations, from sunrise to sunset, high-noon to shaded and diffused states, shapes our responses to light. This reliance elucidates why the quality of light in our surroundings informs numerous behavioral cues.
Consciously and subconsciously, we rely on light to convey the level of activity and set the mood as we enter a space. These effects often tie back to light qualities associated with different times of day and seasons. We intuitively grasp the types of light conducive to activity, excitement, calmness, and relaxation.
Light qualities can be extended to evoke moods ranging from sadness and melancholy to happiness and joy. Humans depend on light to signal the time of day and, consequently, the appropriate mood and activities to follow.
Through experience and conditioning, humans have developed movement and location responses derived directly from light. We rely on light to guide us, indicating where to go, which areas to approach, and which paths to follow.
The angle and intensity of sunlight inform us of our geographical location. Designers can manipulate light levels to define areas for occupation while leaving others in darkness. Colors of light serve as cues to stop or proceed, and flashing lights can grab attention or signal caution. To leverage these powerful responses, designers must consider specific shapes, patterns, and movements of light.
The most fundamental human response to light is the innate attraction toward brightness, akin to moths drawn to a flame. This instinct, known as phototropism (light-attracted), is a primal response believed to be a mechanism for survival. Harnessing this instinct, designers can shape human experiences by strategically placing light to direct paths and encourage interaction with a space. Many lighting effects hinge on this simple premise of human behavior.
The human visual system is remarkably adept at interpreting light, and the age-old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words underscores the swiftness with which we absorb information through sight.
This reliance on vision prompts our brains to instinctively gravitate toward areas abundant in visual information essentially, well-lit spaces. The underlying belief is that a richer visual experience contributes to an enhanced quality of life. Moreover, this instinct is likely rooted in the primal notion that heightened visibility increases the likelihood of finding essential elements such as food, shelter, companionship, while simultaneously reducing the risk of predation.