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UNDERSTANDING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM
Light can
define space , substance and style. Outdoors , with the shifting sun and
atmospheric conditions , light and the shadows change the appearance of
things natural and man made. But in the indoors , the play of natural and
artificial lighting largely determine both function and decoration.
Today lighting is considered to be a very important element of decorating
scheme. The invention of the incandescent bulb in 1978 revolutionized
lighting systems as it allowed light to be easily manipulated. Apart from
exploiting natural light by using opaque or transparent glass walls , sky
lights , large windows etc. for offices , architect work out the detailed
light fittings which are conducive for a work environment . In homes , a
careful selection of lights extends and enhances the aesthetics of
interiors. Similarly for hotels , showrooms , museums , gardens , water
bodies , individual lighting requirements are worked out. Artificial light
falling from various angles and heights on different surfaces guide us to
perceive various features and dimensions while creating a specific mood.
With technological developments and the stress on precision lighting , a
variety of lighting fixtures are readily available with options which
offer manifold possibilities in terms of effect.
The choice of
fitting according to the room , gets very difficult , one gets puzzled off
as there are so many varieties in lights like the table lamps , spot
lights , clamp lights , recessed / surface mounted lights , uplighters ,
halogens , incandescent bulb , pendants , fluorescent fixtures and lots of
others. Once the basic idea of the space , mood , interior design ,
highlighting , function of work have been specified , one can then
consider the basic types of lighting. Initially only the planned positions
of lights need to be decided. Later , the selection of bulbs and the exact
effect can be created. One should always keep in mind some of the basic
rules while designing the light.
- Every activity that takes
place in the interior must have lights of the right kind , intensity and
the right direction.
- The eye prefers even lighting with the
minimum of contrast between the brightness of the room surfaces and the
lighting fixtures.
- The eye works best when the work surface is
more brightly lit then the surroundings.
- The eye is stimulated by
the contrast of tone and sparkle.
- When room lighting change ,
color changes or disappear , thus objects become more or less important in
the room.
There are three basic types of lighting
which are categorized according to the intensity of the light used.
General lighting- It supplies an overall illumination in the
area.
Task lighting – It supplies the
required illumination for specific tasks such as reading , painting etc.
It directs strong local illumination without high general illumination as
required for activities carried in a particular area.
Accent lighting- It offers a decorative element to the area by
highlighting the particular objects or features in the area. They are
auxiliary to the general lighting and provide an added , and at times ,
dramatic dimensions to the scheme.
Spaces can be provided with
one , two or all types of these lightings , depending upon the requirement
. With different types of lighting in each room and dimmers to adjust the
intensity of light , an ordinary space can be infused with much dramatic
look to convey different moods to suit different times of the day.
