The architecture of light: architectural lighting design concepts and techniques. A textbook of procedures and practices for the architect, interior designer and lighting designer pdfdrive com

Figure 4.3 Distinct pieces and shapes of light add to the interest of existing objects and materials.
LAYER 4: LIGHTING TO REVEAL ARCHITECTURE
The fourth layer of lighting in our system addresses light which defines, accentuates, and articulates the architectural forms and details that we have taken the time to design into our space. Vision is entirely dependent on light, so it is reasonable to say that the greatest of architectural concepts and spatial effects can be rendered meaningless without the proper application of light. With an understanding of the power of light to expand and contract spaces; to make objects appear closer or farther away, we are equipped to make very impacting decisions. Revealing architecture also requires us to think about the shape of the light we are creating. It is also an opportunity to think about where the light appears to be coming from. Using light to accentuate architectural decisions takes the form of two disciplines: lighting to define the architectural character and lighting to accent architectural details.
Lighting to define spatial character
The first step to affecting architectural perception is to decide on a room-by-
room basis just how we want a space to be considered. We must decide whether we want a space to feel tall and expansive, confining and intimate, wide and sweeping, etcetera. After we go to lengths to place our boundaries and objects in a manner that delivers a particular feeling of space, we can apply light to appropriate surfaces to enhance the desired effect.
We can wash light onto
ceilings to define the height of a space. We can light the walls of a space to reveal the boundaries, or we can leave
them dark to eliminate the perception of confinement. The application of light
onto a specific set of architectural boundaries and surfaces carries a distinct spatial impact. We must take care and put purpose into our decision of how we treat each area. It is important to recognize that where light originates from has a significant impact on how people perceive a space and how they feel in a space. Humans are comfortably conditioned to the idea of light streaming down onto the world from the sky above. The advent of architectural lighting tools means that we can trump expectation and create light that emanates from the ground, wall, furniture; any object or surface we choose.