ch11.doc-ArchitectureForum.docVIP

Chapter 11: LIGHTING FUNDAMENTALS Summary This is the first of six chapters that address building lighting systems. The focus of this chapter is the fundamentals of lighting; as such it introduces many concepts and much terminology that is probably new to most students. The concepts are critical to an understanding of lighting and the terminology is the key to clear communication of design intentions. This chapter provides a foundation for the design of lighting systems. Lighting design is described as an art and a science that (for successful conclusions) requires a balance between quantitative and qualitative issues. Light is defined as a form of radiant energy (“visually evaluated radiant energy) with wavelength and frequency. The visible spectrum consists of all wavelengths that can be detected by the human eye; any limited cross-section of the spectrum is typically viewed as colored light, light distributed fairly equally across the spectral wavelengths is viewed as white light. Light striking a material can be transmitted, reflected, or absorbed. Transmission and reflection can be diffuse or non-diffuse (specular). A number of lighting metrics are defined and explained: luminous intensity, luminous flux, illuminance, luminance, exitance, luminous efficiency (efficacy). Brightness is discussed relative to luminance. Equipment and methods for measuring illuminance, luminance, and reflectance are presented. Candela measurements and candlepower distribution curves for light sources are discussed. The inverse square law is reviewed. The human eye and its function are discussed. Important elements of the eye (cornea, pupil, iris, lens, retina, fovea, optic nerve) are outlined. The respective roles that rods and cones play in vision are considered. Visual fields are introduced. Factors that affect visual acuity (the ability to distinguish detail) are presented and discussed in detail, and their interplay addressed. These factors are identified as primary (object s