light the walls

Light the walls

Articulate architecture. Define space. Shape perception. Enhance comfort.

Light the walls2

Light the walls

Best practices in contemporary lighting design include wall lighting.

Traditional lighting design focuses on horizontal light levels. Sustainable lighting design emphasizes reducing energy, squeezing light levels as low as they can go. The result can be gloomy environments that serve watts and footcandles, not necessarily architecture and human needs. For years, lighting best practice has recognized the benefits of placing light on walls, including articulating architecture, providing space definition, influencing perception of space, and enhancing visibility and visual comfort. This guide from Litecontrol describes how to apply these techniques to your designs and deliver these benefits to your clients.

Green design practices emphasize efficiency. But if efficiency takes precedence over lighting quality, we risk creating highly efficient spaces that people don’t like being in. While efficiency is important, effectiveness is vital to ensure the lighting supports the owner’s organizational goals. In short, good lighting should be energy-effective.

Many traditional designs emphasize direct lighting, which can produce pronounced shadows and a dim atmosphere.

Wall lighting combined with high-reflectance surfaces can mitigate these problems by making spaces appear brighter and more spacious—even spaces with low light levels.

Wall lighting can improve visibility by raising light levels and enhance visual comfort by increasing uniformity and minimizing glare.

A B

Lobby with Traditional Lighting

Light defines vision. Light shapes perception.

In the 1970s, Professor John Flynn created criteria for evaluating the lighting of spaces based on a series of experiments. His seminal work predicts responses that people will tend to have towards various lighting conditions differentiated by horizontal (overhead) vs. vertical (perimeter) emphasis, uniform vs. non-uniform distribution, bright vs. dim light levels, and visually warm vs. cool color tones.

Flynn’s experiments used large numbers of subjects to rate their subjective impressions of different lighting scenes on a scale between pleasant or unpleasant, public or private, spacious or confined, relaxed or tense, and visually clear or hazy. Wall lighting promotes impressions of spaces being:

pleasant - people prefer light on walls public - wall lighting increases brightness

and uniformity spacious - light on walls coupled with uniform

lighting on all surfaces tense - high brightness coupled with uniformity

implies a high activity level visually clear - by providing peripheral brightness

Top: USGBC Headquarters Washington D.C. see pp 12-13Above: Harley Ellis Architects see pp 12-13

Lobby with Wall Lighting

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Use the right technique to achieve the desired impact.

A

Wall washing |A

Wall washing is a popular technique for providing spatial definition. As the eye is drawn to brightness, brighter walls draw attention to architecture.

Light the wall with a uniform brightness from top to bottom

Use linear sources for best uniformity

Place the luminaire at a sufficient distance to achieve a wide angle of light striking the wall

Avoid glare for people standing near the wall

Grazing wash |B

Grazing wash uses linear wall slot luminaires mounted in a continuous run around the ceiling, which achieves the primary function of wall washing while avoiding glare and producing a cleaner ceiling appearance.

Light the wall in a smooth wash from top to bottom while avoiding reflected and direct glare

Provide a cleaner ceiling appearance with no visible equipment

Create a visually interesting "floating ceiling" effect

Reveal wall surface texture if desired by using narrow angles of light

B C

Left to Right: USGBC Headquarters, see p 12, Bartle Hall, Kansas City Convention Center, see p 14, South Shore Hospital, see p 10

Wall lighting techniques

Wall lighting can be accomplished using several simple techniques, which should be matched appropriately to the application to realize the desired lighting effects and associated benefits. Primary techniques include wall washing and grazing wash, both of which can be used to emphasize architecture and distribute soft, uniform light on vertical surfaces. Wall lighting as an area source can serve to provide comfortable lighting in public circulation areas such as lobbies and corridors. And wall lighting can be used to directly illuminate vertical tasks in spaces such as classrooms and conference rooms. For each, key decision points include lamping, luminaire placement, orientation and distribution.

Wall lighting as area light source |C

Wall lighting not only draws attention to architecture, it can also be used to illuminate the space. If the walls are highly reflective, they contribute to task light levels, turning the wall into a highly effective area light source.

Light the walls to accentuate architecture and deliver lumens to task surfaces

Select luminaires to produce maximum lumens without direct glare

Use fluorescent light sources for high efficiency

Use high-reflectance non-glossy finishes to reflect light with minimized reflected glare

Wall lighting for vertical tasks |D

Wall lighting can be used to directly illuminate vertical tasks such as teaching boards in schools.

Light the walls to illuminate vertical tasks with minimal shadows

Provide sufficient vertical light levels for the task

Achieve brightness across the task

Avoid glare for people standing near the wall

D

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Articulate architecture

Wall lighting can change the way people perceive architecture and space.

Traditional lighting design focuses on lighting the horizontal task plane. Since the eye is attracted to the brightest areas in the field of view, this approach to design emphasizes tasks, not people and architecture. Placing light on walls draws attention to people and architecture, with controlled contrasts used to emphasize points of interest and articulate architectural details. The space interacts with its occupants and stimulates a desired psychological response. With wall lighting, rooms appear brighter and more spacious, connoting a public, businesslike atmosphere.

Horizontal tasks are often not in the field of view. Viewing means vertical.

Walls are an occupant’s first impression of a space. Make the right impression.

Brightness focuses attention. Wall lighting draws attention to architecture.

Research indicates that people prefer to face bright walls. Give them what they want.

The eye follows the brightest path. Bright walls can assist with wayfinding.

Bright windows can cause glare and be distracting. Use wall lighting to balance the brightness.

Use contrast to highlight points of interest and architectural details. Beautify your spaces with light.

Above: Laurence YoungBlood Energy Library Norman OK, Lighting Dynamics, Photography - James Wilson Truman Medical Center Kansas City, KS, Photography - ©mspillers2007Right: MGH Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, pp 10-11

A

|A By lighting the walls, a cavelike, gloomy room can be transformed into a bright, spacious environment that is “open for business.”

B

|B Brightness focuses attention. Wall lighting draws attention to architecture.

|C Viewing means vertical. Wall lighting reveals the spatial form, enabling a space's dominant boundaries to provide a pleasing luminous backdrop to people, objects and activities.

C

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Wall lighting can help people see objects, spaces and each other more clearly.

C

Top: MGH Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, pp 10-11Above: Robert W. Danforth Lighting Center Charles Mayer Photography

Pendant Illumination Only

Promote visual comfort

Visual comfort by design.

Beyond influencing how people perceive a space, placing light on walls can have a big impact on how well people actually see in the space. This technique turns lighter-color, non-glossy wall surfaces into soft, diffuse area sources, producing interreflections that raise light levels, increase visibility and visual comfort, and make spaces appear brighter and more pleasant.

Here are several tips on how to achieve good wall lighting that improves visibility and visual comfort:

Choose lighter-color finishes on walls. White is naturally a good choice, but a number of pastels are available with reflectances of 70% or higher.

Choose matte, not glossy finishes. Glossy does not mean bright. It means glare.

That goes for ceilings and furniture, too. Save dark colors for accents and floors.

Research suggests office workers prefer 20-25 footcandles on vertical partitions.

Put light on window walls. This reduces contrast between the window and the wall.

In deeper daylighted spaces, put light on rear walls for balanced lighting.

Good modeling of objects can be achieved with a 2:1 horizontal-to-vertical ratio of light levels.

Maximum to minimum light levels can vary from 3:1 to 5:1 across a smoothly lighted wall.

Wall lighting can illuminate spaces by itself or be used to mitigate the negative by-products of direct lighting. Because of its diffuse characteristics, it is ideal for public spaces as well as regularly occupied spaces where people perform demanding visual tasks for long hours each day, such as healthcare facilities, classrooms and offices.

Direct glare is minimized as the light source is often concealed.

Reflected glare on computer screens is minimized because light is scattered in many directions and on all surfaces in a space, reducing contrast.

Putting more light on vertical surfaces increases their visibility and improves facial recognition, ideal for spaces where face-to-face communication is important.

Diffuse lighting reduces shadows that can be distracting and can reduce visibility.

Diffuse lighting improves uniformity, which in turn reinforces impressions of space, alertness and visual clarity.

Wall/Slot Illumination OnlyBoth Wall/Slot and Pendant Illumination

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Lighting the walls promotes comfort and well being

Light the walls healthcare

Right: South Shore Hospital Weymouth, MA, Charles Mayer Photography

Emphasizing vertical surfaces is especially important in healthcare environments. Wall lighting can be used in almost any public space in a healthcare environment, making these spaces appear brighter, spacious and more comfortable. Using walls as area light sources ensures good visual comfort for staff working long hours, particularly older staff, and avoids direct lighting that can irritate patients being transported on gurneys. The soft, diffuse lighting quality of wall lighting supports a soothing visual environment for patients and their families.

Massachusetts General Hospital Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care Boston, MAPlanning and Design Architect - Perkins+Will, Inc. Local Architect - Steffian Bradley Architects, Inc. Photography - Anton Grassl

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US Green Building Council Washington, D.C.Architect - Kendall Wilson, EnvisionLighting Designers - Clanton and Associates Boulder, COPhotography - Eric Laignel

Above: Harley Ellis Architects Southfield, MI Photography - Balthazar Korab Ltd.

Lighting the walls promotes a businesslike atmosphere

Light the walls offices

In office buildings, wall lighting can provide benefits in workspaces such as open offices and larger private offices, transition spaces such as corridors, public spaces such as lobbies and cafeterias, and multi-purpose spaces such as conference rooms. Wall lighting makes otherwise drab workspaces appear brighter and more spacious, while increasing uniformity and promoting a public, businesslike atmosphere. These effects are particularly important when lighting is being minimized to save energy.

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Lighting the walls promotes social interaction

Light the walls public spaces

Bartle Hall, Kansas City Convention CenterKansas City, MO Lighting Design - Derek Porter Studio Photography - ©mspillers2007

Public spaces in buildings are places where people move, gather, observe. As a result, they are spaces where architecture and aesthetics are emphasized to communicate visual information about a building and the organization and people that occupy it.

Wall lighting in public spaces goes beyond the traditional approach of lighting the floor to delineate and beautify architecture by drawing attention to vertical surfaces. It also enhances identification and social interaction between people, making these spaces comfortable for gathering and conversation, not just transition.

Left: Richmond Airport Richmond, VA, Architect - Gresham Smith & Partners, Photography - Chris CunninghamAbove: San Francisco International Airport San Francisco, CA SOM Architects, Photography - Timothy Hursley

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Wall/Slot 2000The Wall/Slot 2000 perimeter lighting system provides a continuous lighted slot at the ceiling and the wall. The lamps are completely hidden from view, even when directly beneath the luminaire. An innovative optical system minimizes socket shadows and produces a clean line of light at the perimeter of the space. U.S.Patent No. D329,299

SILV ER

Easy hook-and-lock systemNo visible hardware

9" (229 mm)

10 1/2" (267)

13 1/2" (343)

Ceiling

2000

Design elements

Continuous wall lighting, even around corners

T8, T5, T5HO or CFL lamping

Parabolic reflector option boosts light down wall

Easy installation onto wall-mounting rail

System connectors allow continuous slot around a room, even around corners

Luminance Control Deflector minimizes socket shadows

Cradle to Cradle Silver CertifiedCM

2100

2000

Size comparison

Wall

Ceiling Plane

Wall/Slot 2100The Wall/Slot 2100 system provides perimeter lighting from a small-scale profile, with the lamps completely hidden from view. The 6" height of the luminaire works well in spaces with restricted plenum depths, and the 6" width provides a narrower slot than other fluorescent Wall/Slot products. No lamps or lenses are visible in the 2100 luminaire.

Light with

2100 lamp and ballast accessNo visible lamps

SILV ER

Concealed Lamps

Design elements

Continuous wall lighting, even around corners

T5 or T5HO lamping

Semi-specular reflector option boosts light down wall

Easy installation onto wall-mounting rail

System connectors allow continuous slot

Contractor-friendly access to lamp and ballast compartment for maintenance

6" by 6" profile for restricted plenum depths


2100

Ceiling

6"(152)

6" (152 mm)

Complete fixture Lamp chamber opened Ballast cover opened

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Wall/Slot 85NThe Wall/Slot 85N perimeter lighting system effectively lights the upper wall at the ceiling line. Measuring 9" wide by 10-1/2" deep, this luminaire is available for 1 or 2 lamps and up to three positions for mounting different lens and baffle options.

Light with

85NBaffle shown in F position

3 5/8"(92)

10 1/2 ± 3/4"(267 ± 19)

9"(229mm)

Easy hook-and-lock system

SILV ER

Direct Lamps

Van Wylen Library, Hope College Holland, MI, Architect - Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, Photography - Nick Wheeler

Design elements

Provides perimeter wall lighting from 9" slot

85N can be specified open or with a variety of baffles or lenses hidden in the lamp chamber (S), slightly regressed above the ceiling (R) or flush with the ceiling (F)

System connectors allow continuous slot around a room, even around corners

Easy installation with wall-mounting rail and hook-and-lock system


Wall/Slot 8400The Wall/Slot 8400 is a perimeter luminaire that effectively lights the upper wall at the ceiling line. A smaller profile and shallower plenums than the 85N, the Wall/Slot 8400 provides a 6-1/2" wide by 6-5/8" deep luminaire for 1 lamp, with two positions for optional lenses or baffles.

8400

Baffle shown in S position

2 5/8"(67)

6 5/8"(168)

6 1/2"(165mm)

SILV ER

Design elements

Provides continuous, direct wall lighting from a 6-1/2" slot

Lamp chamber can be open with lamps visible from below

Optional Soft Glow Lens (SGL) or Blade White (BW) baffle available at the lamp chamber opening (S-position)

Soft Glow Lens can also be regressed above the ceiling (R-position)

System connectors allow continuous slot around the room, even around corners

Easy installation with wall-mounting rail and hook-and-lock system


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SILV ER

Mod 44 WWD-4400Litecontrol’s Mod 44 Recessed Wall/Wash is a 4" wide recessed luminaire designed for wall washing applications. The asymmetric reflector effectively washes the wall with light, while complementary optical elements control brightness to avoid glare.

Recessed Wall/WashLight with

4400 R-WWD

Design elements

High performance luminaire for lighting chalkboards or whiteboards

Ideal for retail applications that require vertical surface lighting on merchandise

Narrow luminaire opening enables luminaire to blend into ceiling

Continuous row mounting available

T5 or T5HO lamping available for grid or plaster/drywall ceilings

T8 lamping available for plaster/drywall ceilings


4 1/4"(108)

5 5/8"(143mm)

4 1/4"(108)

USGBC Headquarters

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Conference Room Chicago, IL Charles Mayer Photography

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Products Series Slot Opening

Height Above Ceiling

Lamping Features & Options QuickFind Value Tier

Wall/Slot 2000

20002000PR

9" 10 1/2"


Lamps and luminaire hidden from view

Parabolic reflector option boosts light down the wall

Wall mounting rail for easy installation

System connectors allow for continuous slot around space


20

Wall/Slot 2100

2100

6" 6"

Lamps hidden from view

Easy access to lamp and ballast components

Semi-specular reflector option boosts light down the wall




21

Wall/Slot 85N

85N

9" 10 1/2" ± 3/4"

Available in one- or two-lamp cross-sections

Shielding can be mounted at the ceiling level or above

Adjustable wall-mounting hook and lock installation system



85

Wall/Slot 8400

8400

6 1/2" 6 5/8"

Hidden lens or baffle option

Regressed lens option

System connectors available for corners

Hook and rail mounting system



84

Mod 44 Recessed Wall/Wash

4400

4 1/4" 4 1/4"

Asymmetric reflector designed for wall wash applications

Requires only 4" above the ceiling

Narrow aperture to minimize visual clutter

Painted reflector controls the luminaire brightness



44wwd

Light the walls

For four years in a row, Litecontrol's focus on sustainability and our continuous improvement processes earned us the coveted Cradle to Cradle Silver CertificationCM for all products manufactured in our factories.

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Products Series Slot Opening

Height Above Ceiling

Lamping Features & Options QuickFind Value Tier

Wall/Slot 2000

20002000PR

9" 10 1/2"


Lamps and luminaire hidden from view

Parabolic reflector option boosts light down the wall




20

Wall/Slot 2100

2100

6" 6"

Lamps hidden from view

Easy access to lamp and ballast components

Semi-specular reflector option boosts light down the wall




21

Wall/Slot 85N

85N

9" 10 1/2" ± 3/4"

Available in one- or two-lamp cross-sections

Shielding can be mounted at the ceiling level or above

Adjustable wall-mounting hook and lock installation system



85

Wall/Slot 8400

8400

6 1/2" 6 5/8"

Hidden lens or baffle option

Regressed lens option

System connectors available for corners

Hook and rail mounting system



84

Mod 44 Recessed Wall/Wash

4400

4 1/4" 4 1/4"

Asymmetric reflector designed for wall wash applications

Requires only 4" above the ceiling

Narrow aperture to minimize visual clutter

Painted reflector controls the luminaire brightness



44wwd

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lighting of spaces

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