Friday, February 15, 2008

LiGHT SERIES 4: STONE LOBBY



My first impression of this space upon in entry is that is is dark and unwelcoming. There are two main light fixtures which are large pendant lamps and distribute semi-indirect light because at least 90% of the light it gives off is directed upward. The lamps contained as part of this luminaire are incandescent bulbs. There are moments of brightness on the underside of the actual basin because of its proximity to the lamps which create hot spots of distraction. There is a soft warm glow reflected directly above the fixture on the ceiling that radiates outward with a nice gradient. The floor is very dark and receives little of the light given off. The entire lobby, as small as it is, seems too dark and cold for its function.
There is definitely no issues with the space being too bright , the problem is the contrary. I feel like this space should be bright, warm and hospitable to guests upon entry. I always feel like I want to turn around and walk back out the door. I think the formality of these fixtures works for the space, but additional light is needed. Perhaps adding recessed directional down lighting along the perimeter of the ceiling would be successful in conjunction with the pendant lighting.
The patterns of light and shadow (or the lack there of) are not altogether apparent in this space. The space is so dark that it is hard to visualize shadow from the light because the light is not strong enough to produce prominent shadow that contrasts with the light. The only pattern of light visible is the reflected soft glow on the ceiling directly above the fixture, which radiates outwar with a soft gradient.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

lIGHT SERIES 2 RETAIL: STARBUCKS






There are some places where the lighting and layout of space is so successful that they make you want to enter just to be in the middle of the excitement. I feel that Starbucks has a very warm and comforting atmosphere which is partly responsible of the interior lighting design. There are a variety of lighting fixtures which add luminance contrast, variety, and interest. The main source of lighting is recessed luminaries which are located in the high ceiling as well as in the drop down ceiling which follows the perimeter of the bar. They are wide direct lighting and contain a warm incandescent lamp. The next type of lighting used is track lighting, which contains narrow direct lighting to focus the user’s attention on the retail products, coffee, pastries, and artwork. The track system provides a false ceiling height which is successful in also making the space feel more comfortable and intimate even though the actual ceiling is quite height. There is a nice subtle gradient caused by the lamps in the track fixtures that start at the source of the light and washes down the wall. The space above the track system is dark because of the lack of light. The last type of light are the set of three pendant lights located at the end of the espresso bar. These give off very little light but act as a sculptural piece of intrest and mark and important location in the store.
I don’t feel like there are any problems with the lighting in this space. This is actually where I work and has only been open for one week now. People realy enjoy the ambience of the space and stay for hours, reading and visiting with one another. There is enough light to highlight features, grab interest, and work functionally. The light is perfectly balanced with the shadows to create a relaxed and intimate environment.
The pattern of light and shadow create moments of visual interests which creates excitement in the space. The ceiling is filled with shadows because of its height but the false ceiling created by the track system provides light that encompasses the perimeter of the shadows above.

LIGHT SERIES 2 RESTAURANT: BOBA HOUSE






There are many interesting lighting features that caught my eye when I entered the Boba House for the first time ever. Drop down pendent lighting and unusual lamp shades fill the space. In the dining room where I ate my meal, the lighting was quite different. The fixtures were small narrow direct luminaries that gave off a warm yellow toned luminance. It was surprising to me and my friend that these small fixtures lit the space. The lighting was very soft and made the space feel serene. There were also large openings in the partition that separated this dining space from another more prominently lit space, which the light poured in through to fill our space. The wall opposite the wall with the openings was covered in mirrored glass. This also helped fill the room with the soft light. This atmosphere was very interesting. It was neither overly bright nor overly dark. But there were not very many moments of contrast, shadow and light either though. It was just a constant, ( in the dining space only, not the entry/bar which was completely different). I am still not sure exactly how I feel about this lighting. It was pleasant but seems like it could have benefited from more contrasts in the space. Perhaps if they used the shaded pendant lamps that were found in the entry/bar in the dining space as well then that could help bring the space together in a more cohesive manner and also allow for more contrasts and visual interest in the dining space. But I am not totally against this soft uniform light.

LIGHT SERIES 2 MUSEUM:WEATHERSPOON





The Weatherspoon Art Gallery located on the campus of UNCG has many different spaces which are used for exhibits, galleries, and meeting spaces. The entry is very a very prominent and eye catching space. The high ceiling in encompassed with small glowing fixtures as well as recessed lighting that create a special shine around the perimeter of the rounded corners of the ceiling. These elements are active in creating a soft space of visual interests. There are also elongated interior windows in the walls that generate the height of the ceiling. Natural light plays an important role in this space as well.
I like the luminance that this space gives off. The light bounces off the blank white walls and adds to the glow that is showcased on the ceiling with the soft fixtures.
There is no problem with glare or shadow. There is a great ratio between the light and shadow. Because this is an art museum there was a lot of thought and planning that went into every space. I think the entry is a very successful space that always encourages the users to keep looking up.
The patterns were all very well thought out and even though the gradient of light distribution at the top of the high ceiling is somewhat abrupt, I think it is still successful because of the pattern that it creates and also because of its orientation. It creates a “halo” effect at the top of the ceiling, which gives a heavenly feeling to the entire space, because this is the user’s first impression.