Interior Design

Chapter 9: Lighting

1. When was the manufacture and importation of type "A" incandescent lights banned in the U.S.?

• Answer: January 1, 2014 (not 2007, as per your textbook).

2. Types of lighting and where they are located:

• Ceiling Mount: Fixed to the ceiling, common for general lighting.

• Suspended Pendant Lighting: Hangs from the ceiling, used in dining rooms or kitchens.

• Track Lighting: Mounted on the ceiling, adjustable light sources for task lighting.

• Wall Mount: Attached to walls, often used for sconces or vanity lights.

• Vanity or Strip Lights: Often found around mirrors in bathrooms.

• Sconce: Wall-mounted light, typically used for accent lighting.

• Floor Mount: Floor-standing light sources, such as lamps.

• Uplighting: Directs light upward, creating a soft, ambient light.

• Shelf Mount: Lights mounted on shelves, used for accent lighting.

• Recessed Lighting: Installed in the ceiling or walls for unobtrusive lighting.

• Recessed Cans: Round fixtures recessed into ceilings.

• Spotlights: Focused, intense light for highlighting objects.

• Structural Lighting: Integrated into the architecture.

• Cove Lighting: Indirect lighting placed along the edges of ceilings.

• Cornice or Valance Lighting: Mounted above windows or along walls for subtle lighting.

• Soffit Lighting: Mounted in ceiling recesses for indirect lighting.

• Wall-Slot Lighting: Narrow lighting slots in walls for accents.

• Wall Washers: Fixtures that direct light along a wall to highlight texture.

• Portable: Table and floor fixtures, easy to move.

3. Define Luminaire, Lamp, Lumen, and Foot Candle:

• Luminaire: The complete lighting unit (fixture, bulb, wiring).

• Lamp: The bulb or light source.

• Lumen: Measurement of total light output.

• Foot Candle: Measurement of light intensity on a surface. 1 foot candle = 1 lumen per square foot.

4. How is light temperature measured and which is warmer?

• Answer: Light temperature is measured in Kelvins (K).
  Lower temperatures (2700K–3000K) are warmer (yellowish), higher temperatures (4000K–6500K) are cooler (bluish).

5. What is CRI and why is it important?

• Answer: CRI (Color Rendering Index) measures how accurately a light source shows the true colors of objects compared to natural light. It's important for tasks requiring color accuracy.

6. What type of light casts unflattering shadows?

• Answer: Harsh or direct light, especially when positioned from above or at a low angle, can cast unflattering shadows.

Chapter 3, 4, 5: Universal Design

1. What is a special population and what is the difference between universal design, aging in place, transgenerational design, etc.?

• Answer: Special population refers to groups with unique needs (elderly, disabled, children).

  • Universal Design: Inclusive design for all users.

  • Aging in Place: Allows people to live in their homes safely as they age.

  • Transgenerational Design: Focuses on accessibility for people across generations.

  • ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act): Legal accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

2. Examples of solutions for special populations:

• Sight impaired: Tactile indicators, braille signage, high-contrast color schemes.

• Hearing impaired: Visual alarms, captions, hearing loop systems.

3. Define the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and when did it go into effect?

• Answer: The ADA is a set of legal requirements for accessibility in public spaces. It was enforced starting in 1992 for all public buildings.

4. Minimum ADA Door and Corridor Widths:

• Door width: Minimum of 32 inches.

• Corridor width: Minimum of 36 inches.

Chapter 10: History

1. Design Styles and Their Concepts:

• Rococo: Ornate, playful style with curves and elaborate decorations.

• Bauhaus: Functional, minimalist design; "form follows function."

• Arts & Crafts: Focus on handmade craftsmanship, rebellion against industrialization.

• Art Deco: Geometric shapes, bold colors, lavish decoration.

• Mid-Century Modern: Clean lines, functional design, natural elements.

• Victorian: Over-the-top ornamentation and complex details.

2. What was a Case Study House and why were they created?

• Answer: Experimental homes built in the 1940s-1960s to showcase modern architecture and design, aiming to demonstrate how modern design could improve everyday living.

3. Parts and Order of a Column / Roman Greek Temple:

• Stylobate: The base or foundation of the temple.

• Column: Vertical pillar (with parts like the shaft, capital, and base).

• Pediment: Triangular section above the columns.

4. Motifs in Classical Design:

• Egg and Dart: Ornate pattern with egg-shaped and dart-like motifs.

• Dentil: Small rectangular blocks forming a decorative pattern.

5. What is Chinoiserie, Boulle work, Ormolu?

• Chinoiserie: European imitation of Chinese art and design.

• Boulle Work: Inlay work using brass and tortoiseshell.

• Ormolu: Gilded bronze or brass used in decorative furniture.

6. Who developed the true arch and how did it change interior space?

• Answer: The Romans developed the true arch, allowing larger, more durable openings, which provided more headroom and structural support.

7. Why was Victorian design despised by early modernists and Arts & Crafts Designers?

• Answer: Early modernists and Arts & Crafts designers disliked Victorian design for its excessive decoration and ornamentation, viewing it as insincere and overly complex.

Chapter 3: Design Theory

1. What is the definition and purpose of design theory?

• Answer: Design theory refers to the principles and concepts used to create functional and aesthetically pleasing designs.

2. General knowledge of design theories:

• Need for Nature: Humans are naturally drawn to nature in design.

• Attention Restoration: Design that helps restore mental energy (e.g., nature-based environments).

• Mystery/Complexity: Environments with some mystery engage viewers.

• Prospect/Refuge: Balance between openness (prospect) and safety (refuge).

• Arousal: Balancing stimulation and comfort in design.

• Third Place: Space for social interaction outside of home/work.

• Artifact Attachment: Emotional connection to objects and places.

• Privacy Regulation Theory: People regulate their privacy depending on context.

• Control Theory: Users need to feel in control of their environment.

3. Difference between Sense of Place, Meaning of Place, and Place Attachment:

• Sense of Place: The feeling or atmosphere associated with a place.

• Meaning of Place: The personal or cultural significance attached to a place.

• Place Attachment: Emotional bond to a place.