Light in the outdoor area - Erco

tune the light: Light qualities
The language of light
Ambient luminescence, focal glow,
play of brilliants. These are the prin -
ciples of qualitative lighting design.
In the 1950s, the lighting designer
Richard Kelly borrowed ideas from
perception psychology and theatrical
lighting and combined them
into a uniform concept for lighting
design. He separated the qualities
of light into three basic functions:
ambient luminescence, focal glow
and play of brilliants.
Ambient luminescence con -
cerns the general lighting of the
surroundings. In qualitative lighting
design, ambient luminescence is
not the final goal but simply serves
to provide a background canvas
for more advanced lighting design.
Ambient luminescence responds to
the basic requirement for physical
orientation within a space.
Focal glow goes beyond the
general ambient lighting: it relates
to directed light which accentuates
any eye-catching features and
creates hierarchies of perception.
Important areas are emphasised
while unimportant areas fade into
the background. Focal glow is used
as a basic approach for the presentation
of goods and objects.
Play of brilliants refers to
dec orative lighting effects with
colours, patterns and dynamic
changes which create atmosphere
and magic. Possible light sources
for this effect include lighting
tools for light effects (e.g. varychrome
luminaires), decorative
luminaires (chandeliers) and light
objects; neon signs and illuminated
displays also fall into this
category. It is only when ambient
luminescence, focal glow and play
of brilliants are combined that a
lighting concept is complete.
There are codes of practice and
regulations for outdoor lighting
that often initially seem to restrict
the possibilities. However, this is a
good thing as master plans, urban
marketing or event concepts often
involve themes and ideas that can
be communicated using both spatial
and lighting design. A successful
outdoor lighting concept will
be based on an understanding of
the language of light.
Ambient luminescence
refers to uniform general
lighting. This type
of lighting, e.g. through
downlights along the
periphery of a building
or through uniform vertical
lighting, enables
the user and observer to
get their bearing and provides
a feeling of safety.
Focal glow
typifies accent lighting
used to emphasise objects,
areas and specific zones
in a space and to create
hierarchies of perception.
It is a primary consideration
in the illumination of
scenery, as well as outdoor
and urban spaces which
are intended to attract
attention.
Play of brilliants
is the decorative light,
the light that results
in surprise and amazement;
it is light as an
aesthetic end in itself.
Light effects such as
dynamic colour progressions
or light patterns
with Gobo projections
are used to create a visual
attraction. The same
can be said of decorative
luminaires, light objects
or neon signs which
can provide the play of
brilliants in the lighting
concept.
8 ERCO ERCO 9