Just as Interior Designers layer texture, color and pattern when creating an interior, Lighting Designers use three basic layers of lighting when designing: ambient, accent and task lighting are used to create a visually comfortable interior environment appropriate for the various uses of a space. By combining these three layers, lighting can not only add depth and dimension to the architecture, but also maximize its functionality.
Ambient Lighting
A term originally used by photographers to differentiate between existing and added lighting, ambient lighting is now commonly used to refer to the general illumination of a space. The ambient lighting layer provides uniform, diffuse light throughout a space without glare or hotspots.
Windows, skylights, recessed downlights, pendants, troffers or cove lights can be used alone or combined to provide the right amount of ambient light for the type of space being lit. For example, an office will require higher general light levels than a restaurant due to the different tasks performed in each. If only ambient light is used, a space could be bland and unengaging.
Accent Lighting
The purpose of accent lighting is to draw attention through contrasts in brightness. At least three times brighter than ambient lighting, accent lighting creates visual interest by drawing the eye to particular elements or areas. It can be used to highlight retail products, architectural features, pathways or artwork.
For exterior applications, accent lighting is most commonly used to illuminate elements of architecture, pathways and landscaping. In the in the examples below, wall mounted fixtures accent an architectural feature and in a retail setting, products are highlighted with backlighting and downlights.
Task Lighting
When creating an energy efficient lighting design, task lighting is especially important because it provides supplemental illumination for specific activities requiring more light, such as reading. Without task lighting, ambient light levels would need to be brighter to perform these tasks. When designing task lighting it’s important to understand what activities will be carried out in the specific space. Using track lighting, under cabinet, pendants or portable desk lamps can provide the right amount of lighting for the specific task at hand.
After the three layers of light have been designed and the fixtures and lamps have been selected to execute the design, controls must be added to maximize the flexibility and function of each layer, while also greatly increasing lighting efficiency.
Design for Energy Efficiency
By using the growing variety of LED replacement lamps and fixtures, lighting designers can now create a balanced lighting layout, while dramatically cutting the facility’s lighting energy cost. At the same time, building owners and operators can add value, reduce cost and enhance building performance through the application of high quality LED lighting.
Whether it’s new construction or a retrofit project, the energy efficient lighting design possibilities are endless with the variety of reliable, high performance LED lighting products on the market today.
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