VC On: Architectural Lighting

We’re taking a minute today to talk about architectural lighting.

It’s a design feature that falls into the general subconscious for most. Yet as designers, we use this tool to create a comprehensive space. The beauty of architectural lighting is that it is used to draw the eye to the most important features of a space–for instance, an office entrance or around the bend of a corridor–without distracting from them.

Not sure what we mean? Take a look at how we have used architectural lighting to define some of our project spaces.

1. Washing a glow of light onto the ceiling adds architectural interest to an elevator lobby

Colliers International Lobby

Colliers International Lobby. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

Dropping a soffit to create a floating ceiling element provides a glow of light around the edge of this elevator lobby for commercial real estate company Colliers International.  This addition works to guide visitors through the lobby and completely transforms this office entrance. It also sets the stage for the vibrant feel of the reception area.

2. Contrast lighting brings a gallery feel to an office corridor

Citizen_Lehman_Hallway

Citizen Lehman Corridor. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

In this curving office corridor for Citizen Lehman, we used architectural wall-wash light fixtures to both accent the art on the walls and guide users through the dark corridor. The central recessed soffit with adjustable lighting acts as a guide, forming an ongoing pattern of illumination followed by shadow, drawing the eye forward and leading users through the space. Meanwhile, the side, accent lighting brings a museum like luminosity to the hall’s art display. The contrast of staggering shadows and soft radiance creates a dynamic gallery illumination in a space that could have been left bare and uninviting.

3. Capping a room: lighting above becomes one with the flooring below

AMR ELEVATOR

AMR Research Elevator Lobby. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

Using an architectural lighting system that directly mimics the shape of the flooring beneath it can help guide users to a specific area. Take for example this elevator lobby in our space for AMR Research. By marrying the shape of the lighting above with the shape of the floor pattern below,  we were able to create an outlined entry. This draws the user’s eye into an invisible cylinder that essentially encapsulates and defines the entire lobby area.

4. Thinking about the lighting design as a whole

Coverys cloud lighting

Coverys Cloud Lighting. Image © Neil Alexander for Visnick & Caulfield

Architectural lighting should be used throughout the entire design of a space, from hallways, to offices, and even to staircases. This rounded ceiling soffit we designed for Coverys is a great example. It works architecturally to guide users through the reception area and towards the central monumental stair, as well as aesthetically to illuminate design features and give definition to the open office space.

Architectural lighting is a subtle yet illuminating feature, and ultimately works to “turn on” a space by highlighting the furniture, colors and other dynamic design elements.

Written by Isobelle Hemmers
Edited by Lori Provost, Associate at Visnick & Caulfield, NCIDQ Certificate 013737
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