Lighting in Design Q2 2019

Improving energy efficiency Energy-efficiency is another distinctive characteristic of professional lighting concepts. Vertical façade lighting gets noticed from afar, making it easier for passers-by to get their bearings and making them feel more secure. Façade lighting can be used in a variety of ways. Among other things, it is a modern tool that can be used to make a landmark structure more appealing.This has to be balanced against the ambitious energy saving targets adopted by munici- palities and companies. And today’s intelligent light- ing solutions provide a way out of this dichotomy. LED lighting built into a façade or mounted close to it needs relatively little energy to generate the required luminance levels. LED lighting is unobtru- sive and energy-efficient. LED luminaires fitted in window reveals consume less energy at night than a small domestic appliance. Light is directed onto the surfaces that are to be illuminated in a targeted manner by optics and shutters. This prevents stray light and the associated light pollution. Adding to it is that each light source is dimmable and control- lable, making it possible to set individual switch-on times and intensities. Enhancing safety and security Illuminated façades help make visitors and passers-by feel more secure. They are therefore an important aspect of integral lighting design. Dark areas where people could hide are lit thus mitigating against vandalism. The extent to which an illuminated façade can improve security and enhance a location’s image is a matter of façade design keeping in view the fact that vertically illumi- nated surfaces, assuming identical luminance, are perceived as brighter than horizontal illumination making passers-by feel more secure. New media offers new possibilities Facade lighting is clearly part of a lighting designer’s scope of work. In the past, however, it did not pres- ent much design scope. In fact, façade lighting has only become a real topic of attention in the last 20 years. In the 1990s, so-called ‘City Beautification’ led to lit façades being considered a must within our urban culture.That has now taken a turn for the better.Today we can divide façade lighting into four different categories, or levels of expertise.

as distracting and an unnecessary waste of light. The ultimate goal is obtaining the best possible efficiency from lighting. Façade-integrated systems are photometrically optimised using lens technologies and covers and direct light onto the surface that is to be illuminated in a targeted manner. This makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of direct illumination, i.e. distracting glare in indoor spaces and wasted scat- tered light. This makes it possible, despite façade lighting’s highly creative aspirations, to reconcile façade lighting with ecological requirements. Façade lighting – amarketing gimmick Society is in a state of change and many people are turning night into day. They want to carry on having fun late into the evening, seek entertainment and information and, in most of the instances, welcome surprises. Even so, safety and orientation must be ensured despite the darkness. Façade lighting shapes the image of a townscape, attracts atten- tion and lures in tourists. This boosts revenues and enhances prestige. It also gives investors an economic incentive to gentrify real estate and upgrade property usage, thus making it economi- cally more attractive. Façade lighting creates added cultural value. Environment and façade lighting Added cultural value must be weighed against the responsibility while dealing with the surroundings and the environment. Improper use of night-time lighting can have a negative impact on the environ- ment. Such lighting disrupts the biological process- es of creatures that are sensitive to light.Therefore, lighting designers and architects should aim to find a balance between using light in a way that saves resources and creates added cultural value. Towns and municipalities use many activities to promote tourism, make a business location attrac- tive or establish a residential district. Illuminating façades at night is a good way of improving the at- tractiveness of a public space. People love to spend their evening hours in towns and squares.They look for excitement, and interactive communications of this level plays a pivotal role. Illuminated architec- ture shapes a townscape and gives it a personality.

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LiD Q2 - 2019