INTERIOR LUMINAIRES

There are thousands of variations of interior luminaires for virtually every

application and performance need, but these luminaires can be simply
categorized according to lamping (e.g., fluorescent), application (e.g.,
interior), function (e.g., accent), distribution (e.g., asymmetric), mounting
(e.g., wall-mounted) or other method.

This section of the Advanced Lighting Guidelines describes ceiling recessed

and semi-recessed, ceiling-mounted, suspended, track, wall-mounted and
wall-recessed, task and furniture-mounted and portable interior lighting.

Ceiling recessed and semi-recessed luminaires, for example, are well suited
to architectural spaces with low ceilings and where a clean, uncluttered
ceiling appearance is desired. Ceiling-mounted luminaires are suitable for
lower-ceiling spaces where the luminaires cannot be recessed. Suspended
luminaires are suited to spaces with higher ceilings where a degree of uplight
is desired and/or where recessing luminaires is not possible.

Track luminaires provide flexibility in moving luminaires, particularly for

accent lighting needs. Wall-mounted and wall-recessed luminaires distribute
light on walls and ceilings or can be used to make a decorative element
luminous, such as a sconce. And task and furniture-mounted lighting
provides flexibility for users while placing light efficiently at the task.

The right luminaire for a given application will depend on many factors, but
always begins with who is using the space and how they are using it.

Interior Ceiling Recessed & Semi-Recessed

Architectural spaces with low ceilings (9-0 or lower), or spaces where a
clean, uncluttered architectural appearance is needed are candidates for
recessed luminaires.
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Interior - Ceiling-Mounted
Ceiling-mounted luminaires are a good solution for spaces where a recessed
luminaire might compromise the fire rating of the corridor, compromise the
insulation value of the building, or provide light in buildings with inaccessible
ceilings (that contain asbestos, for example).
Interior Suspended
When room ceilings are high (usually 9 or more), luminaires can be
suspended to provide effective uplight that softens shadows, improves
modeling of faces and objects, and reduces obscuring reflections on shiny
reading materials (veiling reflections).
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Interior - Track-Mounted
Light track is a convenient, inexpensive, and flexible way to deliver power for
lighting. Track heads usually have integral transformers (for low-voltage
halogen lamps), ballasts (for metal halide or fluorescent lamps) or power
supply/drivers (for LEDs), allowing them to all operate on the same track.
However, not all sources are dimmable or compatible with each other in
dimming, so check with the luminaire manufacturer if you want to dim track
heads.
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Interior - Wall-Mounted & Wall-Recessed

Luminaires mounted to walls have the same considerations as pendant-
mounted luminaires: mounting distance from ceiling, light distribution, etc.
(). In addition, if a luminaire is mounted below 6-8 above the floor, and if it
is in the path of egress, it cannot project more than 4 from the wall
(Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
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Interior Task Lighting & Furniture-Mounted

Task-ambient lighting systems are an effective way to reduce energy use
while allowing employees to customize the lighting for their individual work
areas. The ambient lighting system provides a low-to-medium level of
uniform lighting throughout an office, for example, or an industrial facility.
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Interior Portable
Portable luminaires are typically plug-load devices providing flexibility for
easy addition, removal and movement of lighting equipment in an existing
space after construction; some luminaires are battery-operated. Portable
luminaires are also suitable for use in temporary installations such as an
outdoor art display or event, or worksite lighting.

LIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND SPACES

The job of the lighting designer is ultimately to use light to

meet the needs of all of the stakeholders for the given
application. As part of the design team, the discussions
mold an aesthetic for the space providing a template of
materials, colors and textures; establishing conceptual
themes and priorities for occupants regarding uniformity
and wayfinding. This section offers insights and
recommendations for the way in which a luminaires
distribution can interact with and alter a space thereby
affecting the psychological and physiological response of
occupants.
Light Distribution on Surfaces
Technically, luminance thoroughly describes the visual
scene and should be the primary design metric. The
problem is, luminance is not easily measured and
calculations are complex and time consuming.
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Surface Characteristics
Once limited to special buildings and projects, lighting
techniques that reveal architectural nuance like texture
enhance visual perception, and have become more
commonly requested by building owners and architects.
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Patterns
Intentional patterns can create visual hierarchies that
assist wayfinding and orientation within a space. But
considering the majority of basic lighting installations,
luminaires cause light to fall onto room surfaces in
somewhat random patterns.
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Points of Interest
It has been long recognized in retail and museum lighting
design that the human eye is attracted to the brightest
points, and in comparison, dark areas are hardly looked
at.
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Sparkle (or Desirable Reflected Highlights)
Sparkle, small points of high brightness, and related
reflected highlights have recently been recognized as
essential elements of lighting design.
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Uniformity on Task Plane
Almost no lighting system provides completely uniform,
even illumination. Early illumination engineering held out
an ideal of perfectly uniform illumination on the task plane
in a space.
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Distribution & Energy Effectiveness
The most energy effective placement of luminaires is
either close to the task or to provide the most even
distribution over the broadest coverage.
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Modeling Three-Dimensional Objects
In human vision, shadows and highlights enhance the
perception of three dimensional forms. Both are the
products of directional light sources.
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Space & Luminaires
In any design procedure, the appearance and style of the
luminaire play a major role. Throughout the history of
lighting, thousands of different types and styles of
luminaires have been built. Architectural, interior design or
landscape architecture issues typically limit luminaire
choices to a particular style that is suitable for the project.