Lighting qualities
The language of lightWhether lighting a museum, a boutique or a park, there is always a "language of light". This concept evolving over several decades is now a means for analysing and structuring lighting projects. The three basic categories of this "language" - ambient lighting, accent lighting and scenic lighting - go back to the American Richard Kelly, a pioneer of lighting design. Experience shows that lighting concepts are considered to be pleasing and successful when all three components - ambient lighting, accent lighting and scenic lighting - are present in a well-balanced relationship.
More on this topic in the Focus:
The language of light
Vertical illuminanceSpace can be defined and continually reinterpreted with light. Looking at walls and other vertical surfaces, it soon becomes apparent that these are crucial for how architecture is perceived. Illuminated walls enable the shape and dimensions of a room to be comprehended and cause the entire room to appear bright. A wall illuminated with perfect uniformity has an almost immaterial effect. Objects such as photos, posters or paintings can be optimally viewed. We refer to the lighting tools for this kind of lighting as wallwashers. ERCO has been developing and perfecting such special luminaires for decades.
Successful wallwashing can be so subtle that it is hardly perceived as wall lighting; instead the observer is only aware of a pleasant brightness in the room. The diffuse light reflected from the wall provides the ambient lighting.
For more information on this topic, read our brochure "Vertical Illuminance".
