Radiance and illumination
Luminous surfaces produce a soft light in the room through the diffuse dispersion of light. By contrast, illumination with directed light allows the three-dimensionality of shapes, materials and textures to be emphasised through stronger shadows. Furthermore, illumination with hard-edged beams allows zones to be defined in order to divide the room or attract attention.
The curtain and luminous furniture serve as self-illuminated elements here. The light coming in through the curtain is associated in the mind with daylight producing a natural appearance to the interior. The illumination, in this case, is provided by recessed ceiling luminaires. In contrast to self-illuminating panels where increased brightness is evident immediately in front of the luminous surface, an object can be illuminated by directing the light over distances using reflectors.
Radiance and illumination
Luminous surfaces produce a soft light in the room through the diffuse dispersion of light. By contrast, illumination with directed light allows the three-dimensionality of shapes, materials and textures to be emphasised through stronger shadows.
Radiance
Luminous surfaces produce a soft light in the room through the diffuse dispersion of light.
Illumination
By contrast, illumination with directed light allows the three-dimensionality of shapes, materials and textures to be emphasised through stronger shadows.
Light and textiles: Backlighting
Backlit textiles can appear to be selfilluminating. In such situations, the structure of the fabric is clearly recognisable and the material appears to be transparent. If the luminance is increased behind fine textiles, they can become difficult to recognise due to the surface brightness resulting in the perception of detail being reduced.
Light and textiles: Recessed lighting
Projecting grazing light across the curtains clearly reveals the folds through the interplay of light and shadow giving the textile more body. The recessed lighting produces a strong graduation of illuminance levels resulting in the curtain appearing less uniformly illuminated than when backlit.
Light and textiles: Wallwashing
By using wallwashers, the curtain is once again uniformly illuminated with the shadows effectively revealing the three-dimensional texture.
Silhouette
Objects placed in front of a luminous surface will quickly appear to be twodimensional as they are silhouetted. In such situations, providing additional illumination from above or from the side can enhance the shape of the object. This will also produce shadow, which makes the object appear to be more connected to the surface on which it is placed.
Silhouette with additional illumination
Objects placed in front of a luminous surface will quickly appear to be twodimensional as they are silhouetted. In such situations, providing additional illumination from above or from the side can enhance the shape of the object. This will also produce shadow, which makes the object appear to be more connected to the surface on which it is placed.
