LED competition

For our LED light application, Kuniko and I have designed a commercial fixture that will be used for general illumination in the space. We wanted to design this type of fixture since LEDs are not widely used for general illumination. We believe if a fixture of this manner can be developed and used commonly, it will provide an easy solution for sustainability and energy efficiency, as well as increasing flexibility and improving aesthetic quality of such fixtures.

Our fixture is a direct/indirect ceiling-hung fixture that would be used throughout the space above work surfaces. We have used a curved surface to direct light downward with three LED tube lamps inset into the surface. In the center, we placed a strip of reflective material for the light to shine on and reflect back onto the reflective surface in the curve and back into the space. On the top on the fixture are two pairs of LED strips embedded into the curved surface to illuminate the ceiling for indirect lighting. The fixture is suspended by two rods on each end, one of which the wiring would be run through.

We foresee this light fixture being used for a number of commercial applications, including offices, classrooms, conference rooms etc. Since LEDs are not the brightest light source, we don’t imagination this fixture would be very effective in large warehouse-type spaces. It could also be used for residential applications, in kitchens, garages, bathrooms, etc.

Light series 4 part A

Incandescent: Residential seating area

Purpose of space: seating area

Purpose of lighting: overhead-ambient lighting, table lamp-task lighting

Luminaire: overhead-small chandelier fixture with five small incandescent bulbs, table lamp-standard lamp with incandescent bulb

Effect of light source: overhead-bright, easy to see everything

Table lamp- softer ambient light, better for social environment, reading.

Colors: overhead-everything is brightly illuminated, colors are bright and clear.

Table lamp-colors more less saturated and tinted with yellow.

Appropriateness: overhead-good when searching for something or cleaning, can be overwhelming in a social environment and too bright for reading or socializing

Table lamp- more difficult to find things in the bookshelves, more relaxing for reading or socializing

Improvements: I believe for the purpose of the space and depending on what the space is being used for, either light is appropriate. The table lamp seems to be preferred over the overhead light since this room is used less frequently than others. The main function of this room is relaxation and socializing, and for that purpose the table lamp is appropriate. I also believe every room should have sufficient lighting when looking for an object or a movie, such as on the bookshelf, and for this reason the overhead light is practical. I think overall the space has a nice lighting quality with the table lamp, and a little more unpleasant quality with the overhead light.

seating area with table lamp in use





seating area with overhead in use

More Light Fixtures

Here are some more images of light fixtures that I have compiled. I found these fixtures to be innovative and visually interesting as well.

architectural lighting

Here are some images of architectural lighting and light fixtures that I found interesting. I have found through my research that the most interesting architectural lighting contains many colors along with lots of contrast from light to dark areas. The most interesting lighting features also seem to be very dramatic. The architecture of the space also plays a role in the intensity of the lighting, however any space can become visually interesting with the right type of lighting.

Sketch series 1 continued

After spring break, I noticed some changes due to the changing of the sun angle and because of daylight savings time. Before spring break, at 2pm the sun entered the space and cast light on the wall and on the stair landing. After the time change over the break, the sun did not cast light in the space at all at 2pm, but sometime between 2 and 3pm.

Before daylight savings time: Feb 25 at 2pm

After daylight savings time: April 9 at 2pm

As the sun angles began to change more throughout the month, the space eventually got sun again at 2pm

April 24 at 2pm

light series 3

[grocery store]

light source: fluorescent, track lights
appearance of colors:
red: very dark, hint of violet
blue: dark shade
yellow: hint of orange
green: hint of yellow

[retail store]
light source: fluorescent
appearance of colors:
red: hint of violet
blue: bright
yellow: bright
green: bright, hint of yellow

[residence]
light source: incandescent
appearance of colors:
red: brownish tint
blue: violet tint
yellow: tinted with white
green: very yellowish

[library]
light source: fluorescent
appearance of colors:
red: very dark
blue: dark, hint of violet
yellow: hint of orange
green: very yellowish, less contrast from yellow

[coffee shop]
light source: incandescent
appearance of colors:
red: hint of violet
blue: very violet tint
yellow: saturated color, orange tint
green: very yellowish, texture is very defined

[sunlight]
light source: sun
appearance of colors:
red: deep red, violet tint
blue: bright, tint of white
yellow: very whitish
green tint of white and blue

light series 2

[a] stone building lobby

luminaires: pendant fixtures along left hallway, uplighting along right hallway
location: pendants are located in the center of the ceiling, uplights are located along both walls near the ceiling

brightness/glare: for the right hallway, there is heavy brightness above the lights, brightly illuminating the ceiling right above the light fixture. for the left hallway, the lights are somewhat dim and the only glare appears on the floor below the fixtures.

patterns of light: for the right side, there are bright spots just above the lights. the hallway is sufficiently illuminated on this side. for the left side, there are also circles of light above the fixture, but aren’t as intense as the right side. this side is not sufficiently illuminated.

shade and shadow: on each side of the hallway, there is noticeable shade in between the light fixtures. the shade is more apparent on the left side where the light is less intense. also on the left side is shade at the floor and the lower half of the walls. on the right side, there is less shade because the lights are more intense. shade occurs directly under the lighting fixtures and near the floor.

summary of illumination: for the left side, the hallway is dimly lit and has areas of shade where the space is most used. for the right side, the space is well lit, but gives off a negative impression with such brightness.
problems with glare: the glare on the floor on the left wing is not as much of a problem as the brightness directly above the fixtures on the right wing.
effectiveness of light/shade patterns: I think neither of the spaces have very effective lighting. the left side is too dim and the left side is sufficiently lit, but has an unpleasant energy.
suggestions for improvement: the left side needs to be brighter, possibly installing cove lighting with the lamps overlapping so that shade in between fixtures doesn’t occur. the actually fixtures on the right side are attractive and makes the space feel like a hospital. the fixtures could be changed to cove lighting to increase attractiveness and reduce the negativity of the space associated with the intense brightness on the ceiling.

pendant light fixture in left hallway

uplight fixture in right hallway

[b] art museum

luminaires: adjustable track lighting
location: on ceiling, in center and near walls

brightness: no negative brightness in the space
glare: on protective glass covering artwork

patterns of light: light is concentrated on artwork and also serves purpose of general illumination
shade and shadow: shade on ceiling and upper half of walls and near floor, shadow under some artwork

summary of illumination: the track lights highlight the artwork but also provide soft ambient lighting throughout the space
problems with glare: the only source of glare I observed was from the light reflecting off the glass covering some artwork
effectiveness of light/shade patterns: I believe the light is effective for this type of space. there are not boldly defined shades in between light fixtures; the lights fuse together to create a uniformly lit display wall.
suggestions for improvement: the only suggestion for improvement is maybe for the actual fixtures to be more attractive or maybe hidden. as far as the light goes, I believe it is successful for this application.

[c] restaurant

luminaires: recessed can lights, track lights for art work, wall sconces
location: groups of three track lights along walls, recessed placed throughout the space, sconces on two walls

brightness: track lights weren’t positioned properly and shined directly into customers’ eyes
glare: not much glare except on floor

patterns of light: very bright light from track lights on artwork
shade and shadow: very dark shadows in corners, shade along floor and ceiling line

summary of illumination: overall somewhat dim lighting for more intimate atmosphere with very bright spots on walls
problems with glare: some glare on floor, but doesn’t cause serious problems
effectiveness of light/shade patterns: the light is effective for a restaurant setting. the shade in the corners and along the ceiling line seems heavy
suggestions for improvement: reposition, reduce number of track lights, choose lower wattage bulbs/fixtures for tracks

[d] retail store

luminaires: recessed rectangular fixtures w/ fluorescent bulbs
location: rows of two and three centered

brightness: no source of overwhelming brightness
glare: no source of glare

patterns of light: light is distributed fairly evenly throughout the space
shade and shadow: areas of shade around the ceiling line and near floor

summary of illumination: the space is well-lit and has no instances of glare or brightness
problems with glare: no glare problems in the space
effectiveness of light/shade patterns: the lighting in efficient for the usage of the space; the merchandise can be easily seen in the provided lighting
suggestions for improvement: the lighting is efficient but the overall design of the space and the design of the lighting fixtures isn’t very appealing; some color on the walls and more attractive fixtures might make the space more interesting and aesthetically appealing

light sketch series 1

Gatewood Stairwell (2^nd floor)

Light changes throughout the day

-In the morning (around 9am), the light is very soft and diffused and doesn’t cast any crisp shadows or light in the space.

-In the afternoon (between 12 and 2pm), light comes in the window and through the spaces in between the railing, creating spaces of light and shadow. The light from the window is cast on the floor and the wall during this time.

-In the late afternoon (around 5pm), light is cast far into the space spreading into the hallway of the building.

10:00 AM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

5:00 PM

Light changes throughout the seasons

-As the season changes from winter to spring, the light reaches further into the space. A picture taken at 2pm in January and one taken at 2pm in March show this difference in how light changes through the seasons.

Feb 18

Feb 25

Mar 3

Activities, Textures, Light and Shadow

-The space is used mostly for passage from one floor to the next. Occasionally, someone will take a phone call into the space and look out the window while on the phone. Also, some students sit on the stairs or landing and draw what they see, perhaps for a class.

-The texture in the space consists mostly of a smooth, unpolished concrete on the wall, floor, and treads of the stairs. Also in the space is painted metal of the railing and stair risers.

-The space has a monochromatic color scheme of dark and light grays with a hint of red from the sprinkler system fixtures.

-The play of light and shadow on the floor and wall from the railing creates an interesting visual aspect in a somewhat uninteresting space. The large window allows for much natural light to come into the space and makes in seem like a very open space. In the late afternoon, when the sunlight creeps into the hallway on the floor, it seems to draw you into the stairwell from the hall, or lead you out into the hall from the stair well.

-The space has a very different feel on a cloudy or raining day when the daylight is diffused.

Overcast 2:30 PM

daylighting examples

Light box Project1

We put reflective material on the inside and cut out shapes where the light came through.