What is architectural light?
Light can enhance, bring to life and make a building different. Architectural lighting allows that: it is a branch of lighting engineering, a system used by architects, lighting designers and planners to illuminate, and thus enhance, an architectural work, be it a building or a green area. There is an inseparable link between the buildings and the light that is cast on them: light is not only used to illuminate and see in the night but, is increasingly an emotional and decorative element.
There are three types of architectural light: historical (lighting of historic buildings); contemporary (lighting of modern and industrial buildings); environmental (lighting of green areas). Thus, the fields of application for architectural lighting range from interior design to the illumination of historical façades, monuments, companies, public parks and gardens - all those spaces that need the right light to enhance their main elements.
What is the purpose of architectural light?
Architectural light creates a luminous harmony between the illuminated object and its context, enhancing its architectural detail, form and beauty.
There are two aspects to be taken into account when lighting a building: the functional factor and the emotional factor. The functional factor refers to the technical aspects: the positioning of the luminaires, the amount of light emitted, the characteristics of the area to be lit, the type of lamps, the colour rendering. On the other hand, the emotional factor refers to the play of colours, the size of the light beam, the contrast created by the architectural elements, the colour temperature.
"Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of masses brought together in light." (Le Corbusier)
How to light up an architectural structure?
Among the different applications of light, we have:
- Projection light: used to illuminate all vertical elements;
- Accent light: countless effects to enhance architectural elements;
- Wall Washing: to highlight details of a wall;
- Guiding light: used for more functional lighting, to highlight paths, entrances, steps;
- Light effects: to create decorative light effects.