LIGHTING AND ILLUMINATION

Functions of lighting
1. to afford visibility of objects
2. to secure pleasing and decorative effects

1.
2.
3.

Factors to consider in lighting system

the method that they are used
the properties and capabilities of various equipment
the effect of the lighting system on the space where
it is used as well as on the occupants

Like acoustics, lighting should be incorporated into

the design of the building
Light may either be:
a. natural daylight
b. artificial
1. incandescent
- stimulating effect, conducive to drinking,
induces sleep. Best for bars and nightclubs
2. fluorescent
- emits a light similar to daylight, conducive to
eating, reading, studying, etc.
2. mercury
3. neon
A good architect should use the daylight or natural
lighting, as this is the cheapest kind of light.
THEORY AND FUNDAMENTALS OF LIGHTING
Definition of terms
1. photometry
- the science that deals with the measurement of
light
2. candle power
- refers to the unit of intensity of light of one
standard candle whose light is concentrated at a
point and the light source is assumed to be placed at
the center of a hollow sphere of one foot radius

the illumination at any point on the sphere is

one foot candle (abbreviated ft-s), the unit for the
power or intensity of light.
3. standard candle
-is the brightness of a black body at the temperature
of freezing platinum
4. lumen (abbreviated L)
-is the unit of luminous flux, amount f light falling on
a surface from the source
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LUMEN AND FOOT CANDLE
OR CANDLE POWER
When 1 lumen of flux is uniformly distributed over 1
square foot of area, the illumination at any point on the area
is one-foot candle.
FORMULA FOR ILLUMINATION
Illumination (E) = I / D2
Where:
I = the candle power of the source
D=the distance from the source in feet
For example:
What is the illumination on a surface which is
12 ft from a lamp of 80 candle power (cp)?
Answer:
E= I / D2
E= 80cp / (12ft)2
= 5 / 9 ft-c or 0.555 ft-c

PHYSICAL PRINCIPLES OF LIGHT

1. diffusion

2.

3.
4.

5.

-light rays leaving the source strike a rough, opaque

surface which spreads the light in various directions
-in addition, light is broken up while in reflection, the
light bounces back at a different direction
polarization
-light ray striking a polarized glass causes the
illumination of the horizontal light rays and allows
the vertical rays to penetrate the glass (resulting in
soft lighting)
transmission
-light rays strike a plain (surface) transparent glass
which allows the rays to proceed farther
reflection
-light striking a silvered surface is reflected back with
no diffusion and the angle of incidence is equal to the
angle of deflection
refraction
-light rays striking a clear glass placed at an angle
with respect to the rays are reflected at an angle
within the glass and continues at another angle on
the far side of the glass

CANDLE POWER DISTRIBUTION CURVE

Is a graphic representation of the distribution of light
intensity of a luminaries (container of a source light)
Those at the center of the sphere receives more light
than at the edges
Each kind of light will have its own distribution curve