History Of Architectural Lighting Part 2

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING II

ARTIFICIAL LIGHT
Flame was used in ancient history in mankind, first was burning branches was used then special wood to get long lasting light and artificially aesthetic and lead to the use of flammable material. And the development of flame had changed the artificial light widely. The invention of oil lamp and candle, made man realized how small and compact source of light could be.

The oil lamp represented the highest form of lighting engineering progress for a very long time. Then the lamp were developed into sorts of magnificent chandeliers and sconces and available in a wide variety of styles but the flame, and its luminous power remained unchanged.
The development of oil lamp lead to some inventions such as the lenses, argand lamps and finally the invention of new light sources

MODERN LIGHT
The invention of gas lighting was the basic of modern light source. Gas lighting was demonstrated in a series of pilot projects such as a lecture hall in Löwen lit by Jan Pieter Minckellaer and a factory, a private home and even an automobile lit by the English engineer William Murdoch. This new light source achieved as yet unknown illuminance levels due to the high cost and manufacture problems.

Then incandescent gas light was doomed to go the way of most lighting discoveries that were fated to be overtaken by new light. The needs to have more efficient lighting source led to scientific research of the electric lamp in 19th century, it showed up and embarked on its career in its brightest form. The beginning of modern light sources. The Moore Lamps was used for advertising purposes and in architectural spaces as contour lighting. And mercury lamp was also used due to its good luminous efficacy.

After hundreds of years, artificial lighting changed dramatically and basic lamps were developed to the standard lamps as we use today. The artificial lighting is used in interior and exterior space for artistic and safety purposes. New studies in lighting specialist emerged to provide standard form of lighting, psychological effects of lighting and for guideline lighting in general.

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History Of Architectural Lighting Part 1

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING I
I am in the mood of writing history in architecture and interior design lately, and now I am going to reveal a brief history of architectural lighting. :)
There were 2 sources of light for centuries ago, daylight as natural light and flame as artificial light.

NATURAL LIGHT
Daylight of course had impact in architecture lighting design in the past centuries, The building must adapt to requirement for natural lighting, for example the size of the rooms were designed by the availability of natural light as well as ventilation. This condition were developed in architecture design around the world in different climatic zone. We can see it from old and historical buildings around us.

In the cooler climate, the architecture building were built with tall and large windows to allow the light into the building, as much as possible.
Different thing in sunny and dry climate, where the sun shine everyday. Dominantly buildings with small window with reflective exterior walls.

To play with aesthetic quality in architectural lighting with natural daylight, we can see from the architectural details in the building, Certain elements were designed according to the natural light available to get the spacial effect through the light and shadow. The elements were columns, reliefs, ledges, diffusers on windows, and facades. The perfect example are old churches from baroque period or ancient Egyptian pyramid. Those building were built with special lighting effects to adapt the natural light.
Because architectural construction, especially in old period have similar function with astronomical clock, with detailed design and high accuracy to create special lighting effects only occurring on significant days or during particular periods in the year, when the sun rises or sets, or at the summer or the winter solstice.

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Small Bathroom Design

Small Bathroom Design
Small space for bathroom can be comfortable if we arrange everything carefully. Good planning for Small bathroom design is needed to provide basic function of bathroom as well as comfortableness. There are few things to be considered:

Bathroom Equipment
Choose carefully bathroom sanitary from shower box to wash stand for small bathroom design. Consider to use compact, sleek model and design to accommodate small space. Today all modular and compact bathroom sanitary design are widely available. Wall hung fitting will safe some spaces.Avoid using curtain for bathroom window, ornate accessories or fixtures. They will make small bathroom look cluttered.

Bathroom Color
Colors have big impact in designing small bathroom, they can give impression of larger room. Especially dominant colors as wall and flooring. Better using lighter colors to get appearance of space.

Lighting
Placing and arranging artificial lights properly to get the feeling of bright and spacious. Down lights can lighten the whole room while spotlights add personal touch for the small bathroom. Try to put mirror, large one to get reflection of lights and feel more spacious.

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Home Decor Trends in 2009

1. Green Design
Eco Friendly material will be in high demand for home decor trends, most of consumers are now aware in environmental issues. In prediction, consuer will search and use sustainable building material which may cost them a bit high, but will sava money in long run.

2. Color Trends
According to Pantone Color Institute, Fuchsia Red, Salmon Rose, Palace Blue, Lavender, Rose Dust and Vibrant Green predicted to be popular for home decor trend in 2009. Although neutral colors are still popular. Warm and cool gray, bisque, toast and green/gold tones to create a warm ambiance. And Yellow emerging as a very versatile in color trend.

3. Lighting
From Kichler Lighting, lighting manufacturers will introduce chandeliers with more arms or multiple lights per arm, as well as pendants and wall-mounted fixtures that accept higher-wattage bulbs.

4. Pattern Trends
Pattern in home decor trends are being constantly updated and reinvented. combining classic and contemporary styles in one piece; utilizing tiny, country patterns that include calico or patchwork; and trying distinctive materials, like foil, or embellishments that cluster and layer upon each other.

5. Outdoorsy Feeling
The most successful outdoor spaces will be an extension of the home's interior style and color scheme trend in home decor. Using nature as a backdrop, she suggests pulling colors from adjacent rooms to maintain a visual connection. She also recommends accessorizing gourmet cook centers and plasma televisions with weather-resistant chandeliers, rugs and artwork to create a cozy, appealing and relaxed ambiance.

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Best Building of 2008, Business Week Version

BusinessWeek/Architectural Record annual design award winners

Here are few of best building designs according to Business Week. Some of them are good in design and function.
The winners of this year's BusinessWeek/Architectural Record awards demonstrate a pragmatism that seems appropriate in these credit-crunched times. That's not to say the designs are boring. The new headquarters for workspace design firm Haworth (above, kitted out with all its own products for potential clients to see in action) are striking, while the huge steel lattices running from top to bottom of the south sides of the towers of Poly Real Estate's Poly International Plaza in Guangzhou, China act both as decoration and as energy-saving shade. All six winning projects are emblematic of the awards' semi-official slogan, "Good Design is Good Business."


One Haworth Center: From Dull to Dramatic
Location: Holland, Mich.
Client: Haworth
Architect: Perkins + Will
Office designer Haworth replaced its dull, traditional building with a structure that has a dramatic, swooping glass-walled atrium running along one side the building.

Edmunds.com: Focus on Collaboration
Location: Santa Monica, Calif.
Client: Edmunds.com
Architect: STUDIOS Architecture
The 90,000-sq.-ft. head office for automotive research outfit Edmunds.com was designed to encourage collaboration.
More Article on BusinessWeek

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