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Light for the house and the garden

Light for the house and the garden

About light and luminaires

Selecting luminaires for a building interior or garden requires advanced and detailed planning. The interplay of light effects from various luminaires should ideally result in well illuminated situations and in pleasant mood lighting. This overview of light characteristics and different luminaire types is intended to help you with your light and luminaire planning.

More information about light and illumination

 
 

Types of light

For lighting design, we must distinguish between three basic types of light.
 

  • Unshielded light

    Unshielded light is emitted by a light source and spreads unhindered in all directions. For human beings, unshielded light has its most pleasant effect when it is distributed softly in the room. This is why luminaires are equipped with luminaire glass made of opal glass, white crystal glass or light-refracting covers made of synthetic material. Unshielded light is ideal as general illumination.

  • Shielded light

    Depending on the intended purpose, it may be advisable to shield luminaires. Particularly with wall luminaires, for example in house entrances or in corridors where one would like to use soft light, it is considered to be more pleasant when some of the light is shielded. Shielded luminaires are characterised by their light graphics, which appear on the installation surface. They are suitable for placing light accents.

  • Directed light

    This type of light is often used with luminaires which illuminate ground surfaces, even from a great height. Outdoors, this is the case, for example, with the illumination of areas requiring increased attention, such as stairs. Directed light can be effected from all positions – from the ceiling, the wall or from the ground. Directed light is frequently used in the field of functional illumination.

 

General information about illumination

Light has a positive influence on our biorhythm, productivity and ultimately our health. It therefore promotes well-being and improves our quality of life. Coordinated lighting provides independence from natural light sources.Poor light, on the other hand, prevents good vision – orientation with the help of the most important sensory organ, the eye, becomes difficult, if not impossible. Good illumination is vital in areas where there is not enough daylight.

In the 1950s, a basic classification of types of illumination was defined by the light planner Richard Kelly (1910 –1977):

General illumination — “Ambient luminescence”
Functional illumination — “Focal glow”
Accent lighting — “Play of brilliants”
 

 
General illumination defines the environment and clarifies room situations. The light is soft and uniform. There are no hard shadows or contrasts. Outdoors, this type of illumination can be found along paths. Indoors, general illumination represents the background light, to be able to grasp the dimensions of a room.

 
Useful areas are illuminated with functional illumination. The light focuses on certain areas where increased attention is required by the user, for example on stairs.

 
Lighting accents illuminate highlights and set the stage for objects and architecture. This lighting should be significantly brighter than the general illumination in order to attract the attention of the viewer. However, this only works when the lighting accents are only used sparingly in the room, for example with objects, architectural details or individual wall surfaces.

 

Types of luminaires

Different types of luminaires will be presented in the following. For all models, numerous sizes and outputs are available. With this variety, practically all lighting tasks in public and private architecture can be solved.

  • Recessed ceiling luminaires

    Recessed ceiling luminaires are suitable for general illumination. The light distribution ranges from very wide beam to very narrow beam. With their downlight characteristics, they are also suitable for accentuating distinctive areas, for example entrances or for focusing on works of art. These luminaires are ideal for large, high rooms. Recessed ceiling luminaires are structural details that will be a permanent fixture in the building for years to come. Careful planning is required for their installation as early as the construction phase. Defining the number and location of light points is just as important as ensuring that suitable installation housings are installed, for example. It is essential to use high-quality products with a guaranteed availability of replacement parts, since the subsequent modification or even replacement of products is very costly.

    Recessed ceiling luminaires
    or outdoor use
    for indoor use

  • Ceiling luminaires

    Ceiling luminaires are suitable for areas in which the illumination of ground surfaces from the ceiling is desired. Ceiling luminaires are suitable for general illumination. The light distribution ranges from very wide beam to very narrow beam. With their downlight characteristics, ceiling luminaires are suitable for accentuating distinctive areas. These luminaires are ideal for large, high rooms.In conjunction with light and building control systems, ceiling luminaires – as well as recessed ceiling luminaires – can develop their full potential. However, the number and location of light points can also be defined after the construction phase. The work involved in installing ceiling luminaires is significantly less than for recessed ceiling luminaires.

    Ceiling luminaires
    or outdoor use
    for indoor use

  • Recessed wall luminaires

    There are many options when it comes to wall lighting. Unshielded luminaires aid orientation, for example; the ambient brightness should be taken into consideration when planning the size and luminous intensity of these luminaires. Luminaires with directed light are used to illuminate pathways and ground surfaces.

    Recessed wall luminaires provide structure and define the room. They provide safety in areas where increased attention is required.

    Recessed wall luminaires are structural details that will be a permanent fixture in the building for years to come. Careful planning is required for their installation as early as the construction phase. The number and location of light points is just as important as ensuring that suitable installation housings are installed, for example. It is essential to use high-quality products with a guaranteed availability of replacement parts, since subsequent modification or even replacement is very costly.

    Recessed wall luminaires
    or outdoor use
    for indoor use

  • Wall luminaires

    Wall luminaires can be found both indoors and outdoors. Their light can be unshielded, shielded or directed. They illuminate areas in front of buildings, pathways in and around buildings, entrance areas, corridors and staircases. Wall luminaires provide structure and accentuate wall surfaces. They can be arranged individually, in rows or as a group. This type of luminaire is ideal for use as emergency lighting. The work involved in installing wall luminaires is significantly less than for recessed luminaires.

    Wall luminaires
    or outdoor use
    for indoor use

  • Garden and pathway luminaires

    Garden and pathway luminaires round off garden architecture. You can select from various light distributions to suit your purpose. They provide orientation in walking zones and they accentuate flowerbeds and terraces. At night, they add the required structure to outdoor areas, and guide and direct people. They can be permanent or portable, depending on the required installation site.

    Garden and pathway luminaires
    or outdoor use

  • Floodlights

    Floodlights are available in numerous outputs and sizes. This type of luminaire is flexible in installation and is highly versatile. Floodlights are ideal for placing the focus on architecture and landscape elements. Subsequent installation is easy as a supplement to an existing lighting system. On account of the many different mounting options, floodlights can be used on poles, on façades, on roofs or on the ground. These luminaires can also be integrated in a light and building management system.

    Floodlights
    or outdoor use

  • In-ground luminaires

    In-ground luminaires can be used for many different applications. Many different light characteristics are possible with light from the ground – from location light to floodlights for accenting, illuminating and highlighting trees, shrubs or architectural features.

    In-ground luminaires
    or outdoor use

  • Pendant luminaires

    The possible applications of pendant luminaires are extensive. For example, they are used for general illumination, often with unshielded light. With very high ceilings in which the illumination of the ceiling areas does not play a role, pendant luminaires with downlight characteristics are used. Arranging smaller pendant luminaires in groups or rows gives structure to the room, creating clear zones. Here, the light is frequently directed downwards and used as functional illumination. Pendant luminaires are design elements. Their form and nature frequently go far beyond pure functionality.

    Pendant luminaires
    for indoor use

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