Whether it is natural or artificial lighting, both have a crucial influence on space, well-being and aesthetics. As a unique design element lighting has the power to evoke awe-inspiring, sublime effects while remaining a resource that is both measurable and controllable. Knowing how to use it to your advantage starts here.
Why Lighting Matters
Most of us likely prefer stepping into a room bathed in natural light rather than harsh fluorescent lighting. However, even natural light can either enhance or diminish the atmosphere and mood of a space, depending on how it's utilised. It’s important to find the right balance between the two, and if only one light source is available, to know how to position it strategically for the best effect.
Lighting generally influences how we perceive and feel things, especially when it comes to spaces. Lighting should be chosen with the functionality of the space on top of mind. Think of offices requiring focused task lighting or hospitality spaces benefiting from mood-enhancing ambient light.
While the right lighting choices prove to be beneficial to the people, our planet shouldn’t be left out of the equation. Strategical placement of windows or skylights can significantly lower the use of artificial lighting, improving energy efficiency. If the structure of a building or space cannot accommodate natural lighting, the use of energy efficient options such as LED or smart lighting systems are excellent alternatives.
How to Master Lighting
The Role of Architectural Lighting
Key Principles of Architectural Lighting
Functionality and Purpose
Every light source should serve a purpose, whether it’s for visibility, safety, or ambience. Functional lighting ensures spaces are usable and practical for their intended activities.
Lighting Layers
Effective lighting involves layering three types:
- Task Lighting: Direct, focused lighting for specific activities like reading or working.
- Ambient Lighting: General, diffused lighting that sets the overall mood of a space.
- Accent Lighting: Highlights features like artwork, architectural details, or textures to create focal points.
Light Placement and Distribution
Proper positioning of fixtures is essential to avoid shadows, glare, or uneven illumination. Lighting should complement the room’s layout and purpose.
Interaction with Materials
Light interacts with surfaces differently based on their texture, colour, and finish. For instance, soft flooring like carpet tiles can absorb light, creating a cosy effect, while glossy finishes reflect light, amplifying brightness. Want to know how our carpet tiles reflect light? Our technical datasheets always mention the Light Reflectance Value per colour.
Colour Temperature
Light temperature (measured in Kelvin) impacts mood and functionality:
- Warm light (~2700K–3000K): Relaxing and intimate, suitable for homes or hospitality.
- Neutral light (~3500K–4500K): Balanced and natural, ideal for offices or retail.
- Cool light (~5000K–6500K): Crisp and energising, often used in healthcare or industrial settings.
Light Intensity and Brightness
Measured in lumens, the intensity of light should align with the space’s purpose. For example, workspaces require higher brightness, while lounge areas benefit from softer lighting.
Energy Efficiency
Modern lighting design prioritises sustainable solutions, such as LEDs or smart lighting systems, to reduce energy consumption while maintaining quality.
Integration with Natural Light
Architectural lighting should work in harmony with daylight, using windows, skylights, and reflective surfaces to reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
Control and Flexibility
Smart lighting systems allow designers to adjust brightness, colour temperature, and timing to adapt to users’ needs, creating dynamic environments.
Aesthetic and Emotional Impact
Beyond function, lighting shapes mood, emphasises design elements, and creates an emotional connection with the space.
Trends in Architectural Lighting
From smart lighting systems that adjust to your preferences to biophilic designs connecting us with nature, these innovations showcase the power of light in transforming environments. Here’s a quick overview of what’s trending:
- Smart lighting systems: Complete control at your fingertips with customisable settings for mood, colour, and brightness.
- Sustainable solutions: Energy-efficient fixtures like LED and strategic use of natural light reduce consumption and enhance design.
- Biophilic lighting design: Mimicking natural light patterns to create harmony between indoor spaces and the natural world.
- Faux skylights: Artificial daylight solutions for spaces without natural light.
- Invisible lighting: Discreet fixtures that highlight structural features while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic.
- Human-centric lighting: Design focused on the physiological and psychological needs of occupants.
- Wayfinding and zoning: Lighting as a tool to guide and organise spaces.
- Mood lighting: Customisable colour-changing systems for setting the tone of a space.
- Artistic lighting: Fixtures that double as statement pieces in architectural design.
Want to know more on these trends?
Explore how these innovations are reshaping the future of design in our detailed blog post: Top Architectural Lighting Trends to Transform Your Spaces.
Lighting and Flooring: The Perfect Partnership
One influencing the other, lighting and flooring have a transformative power when paired effectively. The results can be amazing:
Creating Ambience
Lighting enhances flooring’s natural characteristics, creating inviting atmospheres or contemporary edges. Textured carpet tiles under soft lighting feel cosy in lounge areas, while recessed accent lights paired with sleek LVT bring modern sophistication to retail or offices. High-LRV flooring reflects more light for bright, open spaces like classrooms, while low-LRV flooring absorbs light, adding intimacy to hospitality or residential settings.
Focus and Flow
Lighting and flooring work together to guide movement and define zones. Linear LEDs along high-LRV pathways ensure visibility and flow in open-plan spaces, while darker, low-LRV flooring under accent lighting creates cosy focal points for seating areas or meeting spaces, seamlessly dividing zones without barriers.
Colour Dynamics
Lighting transforms flooring colours and moods. Warm lighting enhances earthy tones in broadloom for a welcoming feel, while cool lighting sharpens greys in carpet tiles for sleek modernity. High-LRV flooring brightens under warm light, while low-LRV options absorb light for richer, grounded tones. LRV helps designers control how lighting shapes flooring’s appearance.
Practical Tips for Architects and Designers
To conclude, keep following points in mind when designing a space:
Light Sources
Choosing the right light source is crucial for both functionality and ambience. LEDs are energy-efficient and versatile, making them ideal for most applications. Halogen lights provide warm tones but consume more energy. Fluorescent lights are cost-effective but lack warmth, while natural light is unbeatable for wellness and sustainability when effectively incorporated into designs.
Space-Specific
Lighting should adapt to the space’s purpose. Offices benefit from neutral lighting to boost productivity, while retail spaces thrive with accent lighting that draws attention to products. In hospitality, warm ambient lighting enhances comfort and relaxation. Combining task, ambient, and accent lighting ensures both usability and aesthetic appeal.
Sustainability Meets Style
Eco-friendly lighting doesn’t have to compromise design. LED fixtures offer both sustainability and flexibility in style, blending seamlessly with high-end interiors. Smart lighting systems that adjust brightness and temperature optimise energy use while creating dynamic, customisable spaces that align with design goals.
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