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

Part II Designing Light

Chapter 9 Textures of Light

Texture is one of the most neglected concepts of light. It also happens to be one of the most useful for designers desiring a quick intuitive knowledge base for making lighting decisions. This understanding allows one to visualize and describe the various textures of light that we might paint onto our surfaces. You will recall that the basic spectrum of light texture includes “soft”, diffuse light on the one end, and directional, focused light on the other end. Once we can identify how our various lamp and luminaire technologies deliver these various textures, we can make informed decisions from the start of the design process.
DIFFUSE LIGHT
When we talk about diffuse light, we are talking about light that leaves a source equally at all angles and, as such, reflects off of the surfaces of an environment at all angles.
Figure 9.1 Diffuse sources deliver light evenly in many directions.
This light is usually the product of large glowing sources like incandescent globes and fluorescent tubes. We can diffuse light even further by placing diffusing lenses like frosted glass and acrylic on our light source, as in
the case of decorative pendants and sconces.
Diffuse light fills in shadows and, therefore, reduces the appearance of texture changes. We use this light to render people as it is flattering and forgiving of textural imperfections. We use soft, diffuse light to create comfortable, intimate environments where we want long-term visual comfort. Diffuse light tends to be even light, which reduces eye strain that comes from high-contrast environments. Diffuse light also works well for task environments by eliminating shadows and, again, reducing contrast that causes eye strain.
Figure 9.2 Diffuse sources can be further diffused to deliver even softer light.
Diffuse light applied as the only ingredient can become boring and visually un-interesting. When a space is filled with even, diffuse light, there is little visual interest to direct the order that you experience a space. Diffuse light can also cause a unique type of eye strain that comes from having too little contrast. Over long periods of time in purely diffuse environments, the eye tends to strain to pull out detail and find visual acuity; often described as an “under- water” feeling.