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archdaily.com
Artificial Lighting in Interior Design
Written by Giovana Martino | Translated by Tarsila Duduch
9-11 minutes
Artificial Lighting in Interior Design
Suíte Neurosensorial / Piacesi Arquitetos Associados. Image ©
Jomar Bragança
Natural or artificial, lighting is one of the most important elements
in architecture, directly affecting our perception of spaces. It is
capable of defining volumes, enhancing colors, textures, and
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therefore, contributing to the overall relationship between
dimension, proportion, and contrasts. One of the many challenges
of architecture is to shape spaces based on light and shade, and
sometimes natural light is not enough, requiring additional light
sources to be installed and controlled.
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Since its early days, architecture has been challenged to create
elements to absorb, reflect, diffuse, and transmit light, as to unveil
the features of a space and convey a certain ambiance. Mastering
natural lighting design has been one of the greatest achievements
in the history of architecture, from the Gothic style to the
contemporary designs of Álvaro Siza, but many projects also
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require effective artificial lighting to maximize the aesthetic and
functional quality of spaces.
As we can see in this article that shows how artificial lighting can
be used to improve projects, artificial lighting design is related both
to technical aspects as well as to specific preferences and
concepts proposed by architects and clients. Here we explore
some interior design projects in Brazil that apply a range of
different lighting solutions.
Some places require an abundance of lighting, such as beauty
salons or health clinics. The Lushe Beauty Salon in São Luiz,
designed by Roby Macedo arquitetura e design, for example,
features a custom-designed large geometric luminaire, providing
the whole area with general indirect lighting, and backlit mirrors
with a soft and cozy dimmable light. In addition, there is also
accent lighting on the green walls, highlighting the different
textures and colors of the plants.
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Salão de Beleza Lushe Beauty / Roby Macedo arquitetura e
design. Image © Jesus Perez
Salão de Beleza Lushe Beauty / Roby Macedo arquitetura e
design. Image © Jesus Perez
In the Rafael Paiva doctor's office by URBANODE architecture, the
architects used this same solution consisting of a large light fixture
that runs through the whole room, except that in this case, the
luminaire provides direct lighting. The office also features task
lighting above the desk and the countertop, next to the bathroom,
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as secondary light sources.
Rafael Paiva's Office / URBANODE arquitetura. Image © Marcelo
Donadussi
Rafael Paiva's Office / URBANODE arquitetura. Image © Marcelo
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Donadussi
In this other project for MJanson Orthodontics designed by
Caracho Arquitetos, the lighting solutions vary according to
specific requirements since the office offers not only medical
appointments but also courses and seminars. In the examination
rooms, direct lighting is abundant, while the reception area relies
on directional accent lighting, also benefiting from diffused lighting
coming from the translucent wall, which is both naturally and
artificially illuminated.
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Clínica MJanson Ortodontia / Caracho Arquitetos. Image © Daniel
Santo
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Clínica MJanson Ortodontia / Caracho Arquitetos. Image © Daniel
Santo
Corporate environments also require specific lighting solutions.
Although corporate workplaces have changed a lot recently,
lighting is still an important element that affects productivity and
quality of life as well, given the amount of time we spend at work.
The project for Bcredi, by Arquea Arquitetos, showcases a great
variety of lighting techniques dedicated to different working
environments.
Bcredi Office / Arquea Arquitetos. Image © Eduardo Macarios
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Bcredi Office / Arquea Arquitetos. Image © Eduardo Macarios
For communal gathering spaces, the project uses direct lighting on
track systems, with spotlights facing walls and countertops. For
more introspective work spaces, there are warmer task lights over
the desks. For shared workstations, the architects chose a direct
lighting fixture with a zig-zag design using tube lamps, which
provides a unique ambiance, while the relaxation rooms feature
single downlight luminaires. Furthermore, the general lighting
design accentuates the different textures of the materials used in
the project, like the OSB panels and concrete structures.
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Bcredi Office / Arquea Arquitetos. Image © Eduardo Macarios
Bcredi Office / Arquea Arquitetos. Image © Eduardo Macarios
Retail stores are great places to experiment with lighting without
having to worry too much about functionality. The project for the
Fast Shop Lifestyle Ibirapuera Store, by Kengo Kuma &
Associates, proves this by designing spaces based on lighting.
The store layout is divided into rooms such as News, Home
Theater, Cooking with Family and Friends, Connectivity, Personal
Care, Kids, and features symbolic lighting in each area. It is
designed to portray the custom of people gathering around the
light at home with their families. Different solutions vary from
direct, indirect, ambient, accent, and decorative lighting, taking
advantage of the different textures, materials, shapes, and the way
they filter or reflect light.
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Fast Shop Lifestyle Ibirapuera Store / Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Image © Nelson Kon
Fast Shop Lifestyle Ibirapuera Store / Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Image © Nelson Kon
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Fast Shop Lifestyle Ibirapuera Store / Kengo Kuma & Associates.
Image © Nelson Kon
The Dengo Chocolates Concept Store, by Matheus Farah and
Manoel Maia Arquitetura, uses light to create simple and artistic
sceneries through accent and decorative lighting in addition to
natural lighting. This same approach is used in SuperLimão
Studio's Toca do Urso Brewery by creating a balance between
natural and artificial lighting. Since there is plenty of natural light
due to skylights and light shelves, additional artificial lighting is
used only in specific areas, such as the entrance hallway.
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Dengo Chocolates Concept Store / Matheus Farah + Manoel Maia
Arquitetura. Image © Fran Parente
Toca do Urso Brewery / SuperLimão Studio. Image © Maíra
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Acayaba
So far, we have seen that commercial spaces are very open to
unconventional lighting solutions, but this is also possible in
residential projects. The Loft Solar by Talita Nogueira Arquitetura
is a great example of this, combining different artificial lighting
techniques in an artistic and minimalist environment. In the living
room, for example, linear recessed luminaires on the ceiling
provide wall grazing and wall washing effects that highlight the
artworks. In addition, some environments have secondary lighting,
such as directional pendant light fixtures over the table in the
dining room.
Loft Solar / Talita Nogueira Arquitetura. Image © Eduardo
Macarios
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Loft Solar / Talita Nogueira Arquitetura. Image © Eduardo
Macarios
The Sensorineural Suite project by Piacesi Arquitetos Associados
also features accent lighting, achieved through a line of tube lambs
that runs along the entire room ceiling and walls. According to the
architects, the lighting design is very important in this project, as it
provides a cozy ambiance and general well-being through light.
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Suíte Neurosensorial / Piacesi Arquitetos Associados. Image ©
Jomar Bragança
Suíte Neurosensorial / Piacesi Arquitetos Associados. Image ©
Jomar Bragança
There are many unconventional projects which combine technical
aspects and decorative effects, however, simple solutions are
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often very effective to achieve a cozy and warm atmosphere in
residential lighting design. For example, the Praça Henrique
Monteiro apartment by Studio Arthur Casas which features accent
lighting on the shelves and in the bedrooms, and a very clever
solution using recessed cove lighting falling on the curtains. This
way, both artificial and natural light sources are directly related,
establishing a close relationship between the nighttime and
daytime ambiances in the apartment.
Apartamento Praça Henrique Monteiro / Studio Arthur Casas.
Image © Tuca Reinés
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Apartamento Praça Henrique Monteiro / Studio Arthur Casas.
Image © Tuca Reinés
This selection of projects shows that being able to understand and
control how natural and artificial lighting affects a particular space
can help us define the environment and the ambiance we desire.
About his installation for the Swedish fashion retailer COS, Sou
Fujimoto said: "A forest which consists of countless light cones
made from spotlights above. (...) These lights pulsate and
constantly undergo transience of state and flow. Light and people
interact with one another, its existence defining the transition of the
other." Although he was describing his project, we can also apply
this idea when we think of light as a "space shaper" that can also
be used to shape atmospheres, ambiances, and rituals.
Cite: Martino, Giovana. "Artificial Lighting in Interior Design"
[Estratégias de iluminação artificial em projetos de interiores ] 10
Jun 2021. ArchDaily. (Trans. Duduch, Tarsila) Accessed 10 Jun
2021. <https://www.archdaily.com/962950/artificial-lighting-in-
interior-design> ISSN 0719-8884
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