Architectural Lights
LED Architectural Light Fixtures
In theory, architectural lighting is an intersection of art (architecture) and technology (lighting). The architecture being illuminated or lighted may be commercial or residential. Other fields of endeavor, such as design, also come into play. Of course, so do physics, engineering and the psychological and physiological effects of light. Strictly speaking, architectural lighting is illumination for building design and function.
Fluorescent tubes of light illuminating an underground sewer system or an industrial warehouse, for example, do not exactly constitute architectural lighting. A commercial square LED pendant hanging in your office, for instance, may or may not be architectural lighting. It depends on whether the pendant meets certain standards, which we’ll cover below.
The term encompasses three main factors. The first is the building’s aesthetic, which is crucial for any commercial, especially retail, environment. The second consideration is ergonomic or functional — any aspect which improves one’s ability to live, work, function, relax or play — to make the space easier to use. The third aspect involves the efficiency of energy, ensuring that light is properly, which is to say economically or optimally, used and distributed.
Main Types of Indoor Light Fixtures
Many options exist for providing light in a home, from integrated architectural solutions that require contractors and tradesmen, to decorative lamps that need only be placed on a table and plugged in to the nearest outlet. Although some types of fixtures are more commonly associated with a particular layer of lighting—ambient, task or accent—most fixtures are versatile enough to be used in a number of ways.
Architectural. The three most common forms of architectural lighting are cove, soffit and valance; all three are integrated into the room's structure. Cove lighting is located in a ledge, shelf or recess high up on a wall, and the light is bounced toward the ceiling or upper wall. Soffit lighting is located in a soffit or cornice near the ceiling, and the light radiates downward, washing the wall with light. Valance lighting is located in a wood, metal or glass valance (horizontal shield) mounted above a window or high on the wall, and the light bounces both upward and downward. The technique of bouncing light off walls and ceilings is known as indirect lighting, which is favored by many lighting professionals because indirect lighting minimizes shadows and glare. Architectural lighting is most often used as ambient lighting.
Recessed
Installed above the ceiling, this type of lighting has an opening that is flush with the ceiling. A recessed light requires at least 6 inches of clearance above the ceiling, and insulation is essential to ensure that condensation does not drip into the fixture. Recessed lighting sends a relatively narrow band of light in one direction; it can be used to provide ambient, task or accent lighting.
Track Lights
Mounted or suspended from the ceiling, track lighting consists of a linear housing containing several heads that can be positioned anywhere along a track; the direction of the heads is adjustable also. Track lighting is often used for task or accent lighting.
Under Cabinet
Mounted under kitchen cabinets, this type of lighting can be linear or a single puck-shaped fixture. Under cabinet lighting is extremely popular as task lighting in a kitchen.
Pendants
Suspended from the ceiling, a pendant light directs its light down, typically over a table or kitchen island. A pendant can enhance the decorative style of a room. Pendants can provide ambient or task lighting.
Top-Rated LED Architectural Lighting Authorized Dealer & Supplier
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