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Interior lighting: floor up or ceiling down?

I have taught Lighting at many different colleges all over the UK, mostly at degree level, on courses studying interior architecture, interior design and 3-D design. During that time I have honed eight simple rules that I ask students to follow in order to create a design-led lighting environment for their projects.

Daylight – More windows or fewer?

Consider how the space will look in natural light at different times of the day and year, whether there will be a need to control the daylight with blinds or other mechanisms, and how the varying brightness and colours of daylight will affect the space.

Brand/design concept

What is the theme, the look and feel you are aiming for? How can light be used to enhance that? Which lighting/architectural technique or which colour of light is most appropriate?

Function

Start the plan with light in the right place so that the space can function effectively – this could be as simple as allowing for task lighting for a desk or as complicated as designing an entire artist’s studio with variable light according to the latitude and longitude of their galleries – then build up layers from there to create a more complete space.

Layers

Use more than one technique so that a lit picture can emerge that can be changed at different times of the day to make the space feel different according to personal preference or practical needs

Balance brightness; control glare

For much of the time the natural world looks right even though there are many different levels of brightness. For this technique to work with artificial light it is essential ensure that the brightness does not cause glare. This is effectively worked through using a 3D model and lighting design software such as AGI32.

Overlay the ceiling and floor plans

It seems obvious, but it is easy to get carried away with a ceiling design theme without considering how it relates to the floor plan beneath. So overlay the two or build it in 3D.

Detail, detail, detail

If the estate agent’s mantra is location, location, location, then the interior lighting designer’s should be to ensure that the details work. Check the size of the product, how it is fixed, how it can be integrated with the structure, and how it can be maintained – whether it is a set of illuminated shelves or a backlit ceiling – all require impeccable detailing.

Control

Natural light varies enormously from time of day to time of year – to make us human beings feel more comfortable, artificial light should be able to vary too. Controls – whether linked to a group of switches or dimmers or a state of the art remote control device – are an essential tool in achieving this site cialis comparatif.

Light is an inexpensive finish

In comparison to other finishes, altering the lighting effects are usually the most cost-effective way to make a space feel different. So do not overlight. Have an eye on the final lit ‘picture’.
Mary Rushton-Beale

News

  • Industry professional on MA Course
  • Build Back Better judge
  • Suffering from S.A.D?
  • Is blue light bad for our children?
  • Residential lighting
  • Lighting rocks
  • Interior lighting
  • IALD Light night
  • Interior lighting: floor up or ceiling down?
  • Eight tips for home lighting

Industry professional on MA Course

“Totally honoured to be among the industry professionals involved in the online MA Interior Design for the Health and Wellbeing course at New Bucks University” Mary Rushton-Beales

Build Back Better judge

“So excited to be a judge on the Build Back Better Awards.” Mary Rushton-Beales Lighting Design House

Suffering from S.A.D?

Recently I have had occasion to look at 3 individuals’ home-working environments, who all suffer from S.A.D. This led me to reprise a vein of enquiry via NHS Health A-Z which really annoyed me…

Is blue light bad for your child? Article by Mary Rushton-Beale

Is blue light bad for our children?

I wonder if one day we will talk about the time when we spent hours without respite looking at a cool white screen, in the same way as we talk about how doctors used to promote cigarettes? Mary Rushton-Beales

Residential lighting

…the lighting in your home
needs to adapt to many different moods, ambient and functional

Lighting rocks

‘I’ve been designing the lit environment for more than 30 years and I suppose it’s quite appropriate that this was my most difficult lighting challenge ever’ Mary Rushton-Beales

Interior lighting

… fine-tuned for the space and its function but, above all, for people

IALD

IALD Light night

IALD Light night, an evening of film 15 March, 6.30 start Avatar Presented by Mary Rushton Beale Full details IALD Film Night

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