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