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When it comes to eye-catching structures and buildings, architectural lighting is nearly as important as the design itself. Here, we’ll discuss architectural lighting design as well as how to incorporate it into various spaces.
How Important is Architectural Lighting?
Where architectural lighting fixtures were once focused on practicality alone, modern architectural lighting has challenged that idea. Architectural LED lighting is an instrumental element of general architectural design, designed to provide illumination as much as it is to create a mood. This makes this style of lighting more important than ever.
Purpose of Architectural LightingÂ
This type of light can enhance not just the practicality of the space, but the general aesthetics as well. Architectural lighting design tips tend to always recommend they are used to focus on the mood of the space and how the lights can create a more ambient and welcoming atmosphere. Architectural lighting products can also be used to draw attention to different areas in the room, easily creating a focal point.
Energy efficient lighting solutions are another draw of LED architectural lighting. Using LED lights, you can incorporate sustainable lighting design into your space. LED lights are incredibly energy efficient, due to their lower energy needs.
LEDs are also incredibly long lasting and need replacementing far less often. Beyond that, their customisation options are vast, letting you truly take control over the appearance of the design.
Types of Architectural Lighting
Mood setting with lighting and enhancing ambiance with lighting are easy tasks to accomplish within your architectural bounds. There are a few common ways to include LED lighting in your architecture.
Cove lighting is one of the ways you will most commonly see this type of lighting used. Architectural interior lighting is a great way to draw attention to the natural elements of a space. Cove lighting is one of the most popular architectural lighting techniques. This lighting design uses indirect light that bounces around ceilings, recesses, ledges and upper areas of walls.
Alongside interior architectural lighting, LEDs are perfect for lighting outdoor areas. One of the most popular architectural lighting trends is soffit lighting. This refers to lights that are placed on the underside of windows, buildings or balconies. By placing them on edges such as these, you can wash the walls with stylish illumination.
One way to work lighting into your architecture is to give the illusion of natural light. Sky panels are designed to be installed in the ceiling and show a blue sky, which makes it seem like a sky light. They often shine natural daylight colours in the 4000k colour temperature range.
The Role of Natural Lighting in Architectural Lighting Design
Creating visual comfort with lighting starts with understanding the needs of those who are using the space. Natural lighting is a comfortable and familiar lighting style that everyone feels at home in.
By installing natural lighting into your space, you can make those in the space feel more energised and positive. It does so by boosting levels of serotonin, which are partially responsible for positive moods. Natural lighting can also be important to the health of those who experience it, as it helps to keep the circadian rhythm working as it should.
Perks of Natural Lighting
Natural lighting is also able to make a smaller room feel larger than it actually is, while also showing the true colours of the items in the room. The natural edge that this style of lighting provides can make the decor and other objects in the room more vivid and memorable.
Natural lighting is also believed to help people feel more awake and alert. Studies have shown that those in natural lighting performed up to 25 percent better on tests thanks to a heightened mental function. This type of light may even relieve headaches for those who suffer from constantly being around artificial light. Furthermore, it may make a space more comfortable to inhabit by flushing out stale odors and making the space feel cleaner and fresher.
How To Make Lighting an Architectural FeatureÂ
There are many ways that you can incorporate your lighting as a part of the architecture, including:
- WALL GRAZING – These lights shine indirect illumination over the walls, creating depth and visual interest. It is a great tool for showing off the lines and shapes in the room.
- PILLARS AND COLUMNS – Using uplighters, you can illuminate the length of pillars to make them stand out dramatically.
- BACKLIGHTING – By installing lights behind translucent materials such as glass, you can create a beautiful, eye-catching glow.
- STAIRCASE LIGHTING – Light up stairs and pathways to not only make them safer to navigate but also to bring visual depth to an area.
- SCULPTURAL LIGHTING – The fixtures themselves can be as artistic as anything else when you choose the right ones. Prioritise unique styles, shapes and finishes, so the fixtures stand out on their own.
How To Use Architectural Lighting in a HotelÂ
Hotels are one of the places where lighting is very important. So much rides on the first impressions of the guests that you can’t afford to overlook the lighting.
When guests first arrive, you can greet them with exterior architectural lighting on the hotel’s facade. This includes uplights on balconies, arches, columns and other architectural features. Lighting in the lobby should draw attention to certain features in the space and reception areas, immediately making it more welcoming and inviting.
In terms of the dining areas and other communal spaces, you can light up areas above the tables and other seating areas. Use dimmable lighting to alter the light levels according to the lighting needs throughout the day. You can also guide them to their rooms by lighting hallways or including lighted room numbers.
When it comes to the individual guest experience, you can add lights to the bedroom and bathroom areas. Build lights into mantels, coves and entryways of these spaces. You can also provide architectural lighting control such as sensors and smart lighting that will make using the space more convenient for your guests.
Architectural Lighting IdeasÂ
Get the look of a genuine skypanel or skylight with the 595×595 LED Sky Panel Ceiling Architectural Lighting Feature. This LED sky panel provides the illusion of a blue, cloudy sky above on the ceiling as if you were looking into the window of an actual sky light panel. These LED sky ceiling panels measure 595 millimeters by 595 millimeters in size and are well suited for use anywhere that could benefit from LED sky ceilings. These sky ceiling light panels output 6000k cool white natural daylight colours at a 160 degree beam angle to give the illusion of real natural light.
The 4 Watt Illuminated LED Hotel Room Numbers allow you to guide customers to their rooms. Each fixture features an aluminium front plate with the numbers laser cut out of it. A total of 400 lumens of 3200k warm white light shines through those holes to illuminate the numbers. Behind the backplate, the opal acrylic light projects illumination back onto the wall. The surface mounted lights each measure 162 millimeters in size and easily fit beside any doors.
Draw attention to your unique architectural elements or art pieces with the LSP228 16 Watt Slim Style LED Track Light. This track light features an adjustable head that can be tilted and turned in any direction you choose. It shines an ultra bright 1280 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 38-degree beam angle up and down the wall. The durable light is built from premium aluminium and is IP65 rated to make it safe for use outdoors. It is black in colour and measures 280 millimeters in height.
Make an artistic statement with the LWA438 12 Watt LED Interior Wall Uplighter Fitting. This fixture features a flat rectangular surface that the light shines up from. It washes the wall in 1000 lumens of 3000k warm white light, casting a nice indirect glow. The fixture is manufactured out of durable aluminium that is finished in your choice of black or white. It measures 230 millimeters by 130 millimeters in size.
Light up your space brilliantly with the LDC728 30 Watt 3000 Lumen Recessed Anti Glare LED Downlight. This ultra bright recessed light shines 3000 lumens of 3000k warm white light at a 38-degree beam angle. The bulbs are recessed deeply into the fixture to prevent any sort of glare when you look up at it. The result is light pooling gently on the surface below. Crafted from premium aluminium, this durable light is meant to outlast the years. It measures 417 millimeters by 46 millimeters with a recess depth of 55 millimeters.
Ideal as cove lighting, the LWA415 18 Watt Black Up and Down LED Outdoor Wall Washer is an elegant, modern choice for your interior. It features a sleek rectangular body crafted out of top quality aluminium finished in a rich black hue. The fixture washes 1800 lumens of 3000k warm white light above and below it on the wall at a wide beam angle. Overall, the IP65 rated fixture measures 200 millimeters in width by 80 millimeters in height by 80 millimeters in depth.
Make a statement with your lighting when you choose the LWA399 40 Watt Black LED Outdoor Up and Down Wall Light. This wall light features a cylindrical shape with 3200 lumens of 3000k warm white light shining up and down the wall from either end. It is built to last out of high quality aluminium finished in a neutral black hue that works well with any design style. The light measures 280 millimeters in height by 119 millimeters in width by 154 millimeters in depth.
