Lighting

20 Credit Element

Lighting

Lighting is an important element for my design. The main reason that I chose Lighting for my 20 Credit Element was due to the fact that the site is underground and it’s fuction is a bar. Both of these elements affect the lighting as the space will mainly be used in the night and evening and even during the day the fact that it is underground means that the lighting is minimal. Lighting really affects the atmosphere of a bar, so chosing the best lighting possible will ensure a really good space for people to want to visit. I want to look into different styles of lighting and then show how I will use it in my design.

Research

Types of

Architectural Lighting

The Type of lighting that draws focus to the actual light. Usuallly to accentuate a spacial experience and to draw focus to the element below. It is to seamlessly work with the architectural and interior designs of the building, not to be a focal point itself.

UpLights

Uplights are used for multiple different functions in a space. They are useful to create space, to accent interesting architectural features, create a mood for a space and to be in themselves a statement piece of furniture. There are different types of uplights like wall lights, floorstanding lamps and more.

Downlights

Downlights are a good way to add layering in your lighting. They add light from a different angle, accenting the details under. They also add a design element to the ceiling. The different tyes of downlights are Tiltable downlights, Dimmering downlights, high CRI downlights and more. Downlights compliment a lot of other types of lighting.

Diffuse Lighting

Diffuse light is emmited from large, luminous surfaces. It is to have a soft uniform lighting. It has an even illumination in respect to a horizontal working plane. It has little shadow or reflection. Diffuse lighting is usually long horizontal strips of lighting built into or balenced on the origional architecture. It is not decorative at all.

Feature Lights

Feature lighting is designed to act as a focal point in a space. They are typically highly decorative and aesthetic, adding to the design of the space. A great example of feature lighting are chandeliers. Other types of feature lights are; Pendant lights, Floor lights, Wall scones, Linear lights, LED Strip lights and more.

Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting is a lot like Feature lighting, they are designed to be seen. The important thing when thinking about decorative lighting is to remember that they are designed to be seen and are art in themselves. When adding decorative lights they are going to be mostly a design feature, rather than functional. By adding decorative lights, it is adding another element of design to the space.

Wall Lighting

Wall lighting, put simply, is a light that is installed on the wall for illumination. They are good to create an atmosphere in smaller spaces, such as bathrooms and hallways or outside. They are a source of supplementart light, like task lighting.

Hidden Lighting

Hidden lighting can be a bold design statement or a subtle hint to highlight another design feature. It can be used as accent ligting to highlight architectural features or specific furniture that needs attention drawn to it. It can highlight the different levels, textures and angles. they lightup shadowy areas.

Floor Washing

Floor washing is to skim light across a floor or step in order to illuminate the floor. The main points of floor washing are that they; Skim light across the floors, increase feeling of space, create a linear light effect, illuminate for safety. Depending on the positioning of the light is can create different effects.

LED Strip Lighting

The main perks to LED strip lights are that they are versitile, energy-efficient and easy to install. They are both functional and decorative. The tone of light and colour can be changed, so they can create whatever atmosphere you are wanting. They have multile purposes and will work with other lighting very well.

For my design a mix of the different lighting types will be the best option for my space. The different lighting styles serve different purposes, the use of multiple types will be the best option to create the perfect atmosphere for the site.

For the functionality/ architectural side of lighting, I think downlights will serve as the best choice. this style of lighting illuminates what is underneath it. therefore, when completing task-based activities downlights will give the best lighting possible. I want to use these in spaces that people need to focus on what they’re doing, like walking down the stairs.

From a decorative standpoint a mixture of table lights and wall lights will be used in my design. this lighting style creates a cosier and more private style of lighting. in my own experience when visiting bars, adding table lights make the experience better as they made me feel at ease in the space. they created a softer light which helped the space feel less sanitary and cold.

Case Studies

Glasgow Central Station- Casestudy

During the evening, the space is filled with downlights. They are evenly spaced out which gives a uniform light. The light ommited is a bright white - (seems to be 5000k), which is the main type of lighting that is used for focused work and detail oriented tasks. As this is a place where people go to for a task (getting a train) it makes sense to have this harsh light as it’s not a place that people loiter.

Glasgow central has a main focus on daylight. The full ceiling is a skylight. As the main purpose of the space is used through the day- the reliance on natural light makes sense. The high skylights makes the space feel very big and open. The flooring is also a bright white and cream colour, which reflects this light quite well, which also helps make the space look light and open.

This is in reference to the upper levels of the trainstation. The lower levels have very little natural light, so their use of lighting is quite different. The lower levels utilise direct diffuse light, which gives a uniform light with low moddeling.

Throughout Glasgow Central Station the lighting is mostly uniform with little detailing in it. It is purely architectural. This lighting serves a good purpose for a train station, but for the purpose of a bar/ restaurant, I dont think it will be appropriate for what I am wanting to design.

Paesanoe GWR- Casestudy

There is also a lot of natural light during the day. There are multiple tall and wide windows, coupled with skylights, this makes the space feel open and light. The dark ooring coupled with the light furniture and walls makes the space feel big. The natural light helps the daytime atmosphere feel di erent from evening and nightime. Even during the daytime there is use of the decorative downlights. As these are most likely dimmable, it focuses the light on speci c areas, it is more for decorative purposes rather than architectural.

The entrance to paesano has a large light up sign with the site title. This lighting omits a warm yellow-orange type light, which is quite relaxing and gives the space a nice atmosphere. This warm tone lighting gives the space a cosy feeling, especially in the evening and after dark, which helps make people feel calm after a busy day. This style of lighting is great for creating the perfect ambiance.

This image is a perfect exampleof the lighting being used for a task-based activities. It is for the sta . Although the lighting xure itself seems decorative, the lighting placement is directly above a workspace. This type of lighting is very useful to both add to the design aspect but also the functionality for the workers.

There are de nitly elements of this design that I will take inspiration from. They have utilised a lot of downlights, which are a big part of most restaurant designs, as they hightlight whats below. This can help me decide which types of lighting will work and where.

The Anchor Line- Casestudy

The room feels warm and cozy but is still adequately lit. The warm tones of the overhead lighting give the atmosphere that I am wanting to create. The LED strips are what give a bright light that serves as a fuctional light source. The rest is for decorative purposes.

In the Anchor Line has a range of different lighting styles. It uses a lot of different of the important styles that I have underlined. The main lighting features of note are the overhead bar main light, wall lights, LED strips and table lamps.

The downturned wall lights create a great focal point for the wall art surrounding it. This style of light is specifically used so that anything below it is illuminated. This alongside the dimly lit table lights are a great way of bringing a subtle yet useful light to a dining table.

The Different lighting choices for main sections of the interior space

EGLO connect Stripe- Z RGBW LED strip, 5 m

PURE Lines LED ceiling light long anthracite

Vintage look - Fedra table lamp green

Milenka bankers lamp, polished brass

Lindby Tymoni glass pendant light, amber, 1-bulb

Lindby Cliona hanging light, mat t black

Lindby Durbis hanging light hand-coloured, 4-bulb

Lindby hanging light Ritana, black-gold, aluminium, Ø 31 cm

Paul Neuhaus Contura LED pendant light in black

Lindby Nesaja wooden LED pendant light

Visuals

Lighting Visual on the Booths

The bigger table is the main focus for this section as it is in the middle of the booths and I wanted customers eyes to be drawn to it. This is why the downlights are over this table. I also added LED strip lights to the bottom of the booths and middle sections of the booths as I wanted to bring a soft lighting into this area whilst keeping the atmosphere relaxed and not too harsh. The LEDs are subtle yet effective lights.

Lindby Durbis hanging light hand-coloured, 4-bulb

PURE Lines LED ceiling light long anthracite

Lighting Visuals on the Conversation Pit

For the conversation I thought that table lights would be great to add detail to each table. This is because it adds a different atmosphere to the section and makes it feel more intimate. I also added a downlight for the centre of the section. This is to bring a better light to the empty space in the middle, this is the junction between all of the tables so to have a good light here was key for the design. Another reason for the hanging light was to create a height to the space, as it is lower than the rest of the design, it made sense to me to add a lower hanging light to create a cosier vibe to the space.

Grisewood Lamp & Shade - Petrol - Loganberry

Lindby Nesaja wooden LED pendant light

Lighting Visuals on Staircase and Lift

The stairs were an important area for lighting as this is the main taskbased area. You need proper lighting when people are walking down the stairs. I went for LED strips along the edges of the stairs to illuminate the edges and angles of each stair. I also added downlights to each landing, so people can easily see where each stair stops and the landing begins.

Lindby Tymoni glass pendant light, amber, 1-bulb

Lindby hanging light Ritana, black-gold, aluminium, Ø 31 cm

This document has detailed why lighting is so important to my design and shows the way that I have utilised different elements throught the space.

Lighting - 20 Credit Element

Morgan Ripley

Interior Deisgn Y4

Glasgow School of Art 2024