Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Light Sketch Series 1 Photos & Sketches - Day One 9/8/09

  Instead of choosing a room in my home, I decided to study the entry @ UNCG's Gatewood Studio Art Center.  I felt that this room would receive a lot of natural light and as a result, create interesting light patterns. Also, the reflective materials would reflect light in various ways.

First, here are some pics from the first day, 9/8/09 @ 4:30 pm










                                                                                                                                                                                 










The light coming in to the lobby was extremely bright on this summer day, so bright that the contrast of light & dark was high.  The interior metal halide lamps had not come on yet, so all the light was from daylight which entered into the lobby from the wall of windows at the entrance.  Large diagonal shadows were cast on the terrazzo floor. The lighting is not fit for study because there is either to much glare or to much shadow.

Monday, October 26, 2009

SURFACE LIGHTING DESIGN



















Integrating lighting into a surface had become common in the design of interior and exterior products.
I remember recently viewing a TV program that was showcasing exterior kitchens.  There was a design of a countertops that included LED lights.  The lighting of the surface was not uniform, but rather it appeared as a constellation pattern.
David Bruno &  Barry Earl have created "Lights On", an interior glass door with an intergrated light feature.  They have used edging light with extremely low profile LEDs.  Using these lights allows the designs to illuminate the surface, while hiding the luminaires.  The designers have used them in their "Lights On" project.  This product is interior lit door can be used day and night, while being activated by remote control.
This product makes use of repurposing an existing somewhat "essential" interior product.  In turn, possibly providing for less future waste.




Friday, October 16, 2009

Louvers

I just came from Jackson Library. The area at the elevators on the first floor needs more lighting for the computers that are across from them. Also, there's a directory by the elevators, but it is pretty hard to see because of how dim it is there.
On the different towers (floors) its excellent how they have brought a lot of natural light into the spaces with the large windows. Its even better that the majority of the task/study stations are far enough away from the natural light, to reduce glare.
Each aisle has fluorescent lamps central to it and equally spaced. All of the fluorescent fixtures have louvers to redirect the light in multiple directions, again reducing glare as you look through the texts.
I didn't check out the bathrooms there yet! haha! Though, I could see observing lighting in public bathrooms becoming an interesting topic in my blog.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Lighting of a Public Restroom

So my work recently changed out the fluorescent bulbs in the women's restroom. SOme of the lamps had gone out and needed to be replaced. It was startling to when I walked in. The lamps color temperature was so drastically different from the previous one's. I looked over into the janitors work room, were the extra bulbs were placed. I noticed they had installed 6500K lamps. No wonder! The originally ones had to have been somewhere around 3500K. I couldn't tell if I felt fine with the change or not. In some ways I wished they would of just left the room dim, like it was when the bulbs were blown out. I feel like I saw less dirt and grime when it was that way. However, the new light gave off a more clinical feeling to the room, as if it helped conveyed that the room was clean. They light gave off this psychological interpretation because of how bright, blue, and cool it appeared. So does it truly feel cleaner with this color temperature? I would have to say no. Again, if you can see dirt and grime or if the room smells like a public restroom, lighting is only one factor that can change the perception of cleanliness.
I have gotten a little used to them over the last several days, but i still believe the 3500K color temperature would of been best. I could guarantee you that the person who installed the new bulbs took none of this into consideration. They were surely more interested in cost.

Friday, October 2, 2009

R.L Vanstory Lighting Company






























Recently my Lighting Design class visited R.L. Vanstory Lighting Company in Greensboro, NC.
The company was founded in 1977. It is has had a significant impact on the lighting industry of central North Carolina.
What was gone over in their presentation to us, is directly linked to what were are currently studying. CRI, lamp types,light pollution, ballasts, and legislation codes that affect lighting design of commercial construction.
  • 60 CRI is bad for color rendering of textiles
  • higher CRI cooler the color rendering
  • for incandescent 91% of the energy is lost in the heat it produces
  • Incandescent best because of CRI 100, butt worst in efficiency
  • CRI color temperature is listed on fluorescent bulbs
  • blue color temperature is hot, 3100K or higher rating
  • fluorescent bulbs are available in T12, T5, T8 tubular
  • the number following the T on fluorescent lamps indicates the diameter of the tubular lamp
  • example: T5 has a diameter of 5/8" (always measure in 1/8" of an inch)
  • the mercury level in the tubular fluorescent with the green tips is less than the silver tip
  • office buildings cannot exceed 1 watt per sq ft
  • Energy Policy Act was passed in 2005. It gives incentives for companies to upgrade their lighting to something more efficient
  • metal halides are good outdoor lighting source. They are very efficient. They are used in grocery stores and home centers. They take a while to startup.
  • Fluorescent lamps last longer the less you turn then on then off.
  • An Electric Ballast of a fluorescent lamp starts the lamp & limits the electrical current during the on cycle.
  • 1,2,4 & 6 ballast are common
  • Automatic shut off is part of electrical code
  • Lighting pollution depends opn the angle off light
  • Watts is relative to BTUs. For every watt consumed that wattage/btu is dumped in the environment.
  • If you reduce number of watts, you can reduce the size of the HVAC system. Every 4 watts of lighting energy saved, 1 watt of the HVAc you save.
  • Lamps can help heat a space
  • Heat for Flood LED lamps collects at the back ofthe bulb
  • LEDs do have color temperature in degrees Kelvin. 6000K give off bluer light temperature. 2700K give off warmer light temperature
  • Some LEDs use a phosphor
  • Once a LED light output gets below 75% it will give out
  • Meaure of the output of a lamp is in luminance

Elliptapar: Melanie Naomi
  • The elliptapar is based on a reflector used to light the Jefferson Memorial.
  • 25 degrees above the horizontal is perfect reflector of light
  • Circular and Parabolic reflectors are for a single focal point.
  • Elliptical section of the elliptapar gives you teo focal points
  • Elliptapar includes the elllipse and 2 parabolas. Its a reflector the company invented.
  • Asometric Lighting or Wall Washing. It is indirect illumination. It enhances the perception of space and lighting. It improves visual comfort. This low level of illuminance used of even light. It focuses the viewers attention. It can also direct movement, ex: in airports to direct visiters.
  • Why light a ceiling? It enhances architure. The fixture is tucked away. It is indirect illumination. IT improves visual comfort. Frees ceiling of clutter.