lighting

Light

A portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. It travels in waves at a speed of about 300,000km/s and consists of particles called photons.

Lighting

the deliberate use of light, wether natural or artificial, to achieve practical or aesthetic effects in built environment.

Egyptian Temples

Ancient Egyptians aligned their temples to maximize natural light, symbolizing divine presence.

Green & Roman Architecture

use of daylight through openings in domes emphasized grandeur and the connection to the heavens.

Gothic Architecture

Innovations like stained glass windows created ethereal effects inside cathedrals, symbolizing divine light.

Focus on Natural Light

Palladio used natural light to define space and form, emphasizing symmetry and balance

Farnsworth House, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

A prime example of glass walls allowing full integration of light with the environment.

Spectral Perception

ability of the human visual system to distinguish and interpret different wavelengths of light, which we experience as colors.

Melanopic Effect

how a certain wavelenght of light (particularly blue light around 460-490nm) stimulates specialized retinal cells and influence biological processes like alertnes, hormone regulation, sleep-wake cycles.

Melanopsin

photopigment that detects light for biological functions such as regulating circadian rythm

Circadian Rythm

Body’s natural 24hour internal clock that regulates cyclep of sleep, wake, hormone release and other physiological process.

Melatonin

hormone produces by the pineal gland that helps regulate sleep, production increases in the evening and decreases with morning light.

Cortisol

hormone released by the adrenal glands, typically peak in the morning and decreases at night

Human Centric Lighting

Expresses the positive effect of light and lighting on the health, well being and performance of humans

Functional Lighting (Visual Functions)

Poper lighting ensures spaces are functional and suited for their intended activities

Accessibility (Visual Functions)

Ensures inclusivity by providing sufficient lighting for individuals with visual impairments.

Interaction & Engagement (Social Engagement)

in public spaces, efective lighting fosters social interaction by making environments more inviting and comfortable.

Privacy & Intimacy (Social Engagement)

Lighting can create more secluded or private areas wgere people may seek a sense of privacy or intimacy.

Circadian Rythm & Health

lighting that mimics natural daylight cycle helpes regulate circadian rythm

Mood & Atmosphere

different lighting conditions evoke various emotional responses.

Physcological Comfort

proper lighting reduces visual discomfort and enchnces a sense of well-being

Highlighting Architecture Features

Lighting is used to emphasize the design elements of buildings, including textures, materials and architectural form

Perception of Space

The way lighting is applied affects how a space feels

Daylighting and Natural Inegration

maximizing the use of natural daylight, buidings can reduce reliance on artificial lighting

Energy efficient lighting systems

the use of energy efficient technologies reduces energy consumption

accident prevention

well-lit circulation spaces such as staircases, pathways reduce the risk of fall, and other accidents.

Crime Deterrence

Adequate lighting in outdoor areas, parking lots helps deter criminal activity by increasing visibility and eliminating blind spots.

sense of protection

lighting design contributes to users psychological comfort by creating an environment that feels safe, especially at night.

functionality

proper lighting ensures spaces are usable for specific tasks

safety and security

well-lit spaces reduces accidentsm and promote a sense of security

aesthetic value

lighting highlights architectural detatils, creates depth and evoke emotions

Visible Light Spectrum

visible light spectrum is the section of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum that is visible to the human eye. wavelenght is between 380 and 780nm.

Prism

a transparent optical element that has two parralel faces and typically three sides, forming a geometric shape.

white light

composed of all the visible colors in the electromagnetic spectrum

refraction of light through prism

in prism, light eneters at an angle, the glass has a higher refractive index than air, the light exits the prism, bends again away from the normalref

refraction

occurs when a light changes direction as it moves from one medium into another medium with a different density

Dispersion of light through Prism

white light separates into its consituent colors when passing through the prism. this happens because shorter wavelenght more than longer wavelenght as they pass through the prism.

Dispersion

Occurs because different wavelenghrs of light refract at slightly different angles.

Rainbow effect

occurs when separation of colors creates a spectrum of color red, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet

Wavelenght

the distance between two consecutive peaks and troughs of the wave, determines the color of light in the visible spectrum.

Frequency

The number of wave cycles that pass a point in onse second, measured in nanometers

Speed

the speed of light as it travels in vacuum

Amplitude

the height of the wave from the middle position to the peak or trough, measured in lumens

wavefront

a surface over which the phase of the light wave is constant.

Light Detection

light enters the eye through the cornea and passes through the lens, which focuses it onto the retina

Phototransduction

In the retina, photoreceptor convert light into electrical signals

Signal Transmission

These electrical signals are transmitted via the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain

Image Formation

brain processes these signals to create a coherent image, allowing us to percieve shapes colors and movements

Reflection

occurs when light strikes a surface and bounces off.Spe

Specular Reflection

Light bounces off smooth surfaces

Diffuse Reflection

Light scatters off rough surfaces, creating a soft uniform effect

Absorption

occurs when light energy is absorbed by a material and converted to heat

Refraction

the bending of light as it passess between different mediums with a different refractive index

Diffraction

occuers when light encounters an obstacle or passes through a narrow opening nd bends around the edges.

Transmission

The passage of light through a material

Diffusion

The scattering of light in many directions whe it hits a rought surface or passes through a diffusive material