Degrees of excitement /stimulation

Degrees of excitement created on people is explained with environmental load approach. Everything increasing people´s sense of pressure is defined as an environmental load. When people have to deal with more stimuli, the load gets higher. The pressure has an influence on people´s decision making. High Load Environments are complex and crowded while Low Load Environments are simple, uncrowded, symmetrical and conventional ( Brousseau, R. K., p. 39).

Figure 4.39 : Low load environment, Turku City Library, Turku, Finland ( Url - 71).

People react differently to the same interiors, but still their reactions are mostly similar in similar environments. Degrees of stimulation is important in this regard.

According to the characteristics of an interior atmosphere, degrees of stimulation differs. Emotional impact is related to degrees of stimulation. All activities are influenced by kinds of visual stimulation ( Gordon, G. , 2003 ).

In a library people expect to have a low load environment with cold temperatures of light as they need to concentrate and focus on the reading material and feel comfortable ( Figure 4.39). Anything that may shift the focus of perception to another stimulus, distruct concentration. Lighting with a changing colour setting would be very uncomfortable and create an unnecessary information load on people at a library. In opposition to this, in a bar lounge cold white temperature lighting would be dull, boring and very uncomfortable. At such a place, expectation of people is lighting levels that encourage participation and amusement supporting high levels of music and crowd. Interplay of shadows and light in a changing sequence would be proper applicatons as on Figure 4.40.

Figure 4.40 : High load environment, Nisha Bar-Lounge, Mexico City, Mexico ( Url - 72).

4.2. 2. Fundamental lighting concepts

The basics of fundamental lighting concepts are developed in 1950´s. Perception psychology and theatrical lighting were combined together and established by Kelly.

Before that, the main approach to lighting design was about quantity of light and

uniformly illuminated spaces. He changed this approach by focusing on the question of specific qualities of light. His study on a group of lighting functions were oriented on perception of occupants. Lighting concepts are seperated into three basic parts as ambient luminescence ( general/diffuse lighting), focal glow ( task lighting) and play of brilliants ( Figure 4.41). The desired atmosphere is achieved by playing with these three elements. The concepts established are composing the main structure of lighting design even today ( Ganslandt & Hofmann, 1999).

Among these three principles, ambient- general - diffuse lighting is based the idea of washing surfaces with light. Wall-washers and downlights are the main equipments to achieve this kind of lighting atmosphere. This kind of lighting provides general illumination of the entire interior space. In general, maintaining efficient lighting levels for orientation and activity is the main purpose of general lighting. So, whole surrounding space and elements inside should be visible to the occupants. Everything in the room is in equal emphasis without any shadows ( Url - 73 ).

Figure 4.41 : Three basic principles of lighting ( Url - 73).

Among these three principles, ambient- general - diffuse lighting is based on the idea of washing surfaces with light. Wall-washers and downlights are the main equipments to achieve this kind of lighting atmosphere. This kind of lighting provides general illumination of the entire interior space. In general, providing sufficient lighting levels for orientation and activity is the main purpose of general lighting. So, whole surrounding space and elements inside should be visible to the

1. Ambient luminescence

2. Focal glow 3. Play of

brilliants

occupants ( Ganslandt & Hofmann, 1999). On Figure 4.42 , interior lighting of a cafe space is achieved with ambient lighting. Everything in the room is in equal emphasis without any distructive shadows.

According to Kelly, ambient or general lighting is,

a snowy morning in open country, twilight haze on a mountain top or a cloudy day on the ocean, the light in a white tent at noon, moonlight coming through the fog ( Emerson, E. , 1967 ).

Figure 4.42 : Ambient (General) luminescence of a public space ( Url - 74).

Focal glow´s (task lighting) main purpose is to help transmitting a message. Task lighting is applied to highlight objects in relatively small areas. Relatively bright areas in an interior attract attention. This fact enables conveying important information within an interior. This kind of lighting is helpful for performing specific tasks such as reading, writing. Meeting room of a company is generally lit by task lighting with general lighting. This approach is applied because of the fact that using only task lighting and not illuminating other surfaces in the space may cause too much brightness contrast and discomfort ( Ganslandt & Hofmann, 1999). When local lighting is applied together with general lighting it is called “supplementary lighting” as in the example of Google Tokyo Office meeting room shown on Figure 4.43.

Focal glow or task lighting for Kelly is,

the campfire of all time, the glowing embers around which stories are

told, or the football rally bonfire. Focal glow is the limelight, the follow spot on the stage, and an aircraft beacon. . . . It is the light burning at the window or the welcoming gleam of the open door ( Emerson, E. , 1967 ).

Figure 4.43 : Google Tokyo Office meeting room, supplemantary lighting ( Url - 75).

Figure 4.44 : Focal Glow, shadows formed by spotlights are a part of the exhibition of the statue, National Gallery of Art, West Building, Washington DC, USA

( Url - 76).

With focal glow the most significant sculpture in a museum or the core point of an interior can be highlighted. On Figure 4.44, task lighting achieved with directed

spots create multiple shadows and increase the intensity of the presentation. With a similar approach, unworthy information can be hidden with a lower task lighting level as in the example of Conga Room ( Figure 4.45). Openings between ceiling pannels are left in dark to hide construction. A computer controlled multi – coloured LED lighting system emphasises the translucent columns composed of acrylic pannels ( Figure 4.46). With the unique lighting system the ceiling changes color and atmosphere. The system reacts to the rythm changes of the music.

Figure 4.45 : The Conga Room , general view of interior, Los Angales, USA, photo by Benny Chan ( Url - 76).

Figure 4.46 : The Conga Room , focal glow emphasizing columns with computer controlled multi – coloured LED lighting system, Los Angales, USA, photo by

Benny Chan ( Url - 77).

Light conveys information and catches attention. The third element of light, play of brilliants is the form where the light becomes the source of information itself. It excites senses and mind, adds a magical atmosphere to the room ( Gordon, G., 2003).

Chandliers of Süleymaniye Mosque can be given as an example to this effect. Here, the light source is the source of brilliance as well as being brilliant itself. The holly atmosphere is enhanced with the glimmers of light as well as reflections on surfaces within the interior ( Figure 4.47).

To Kelly, play of brilliants (sparkle/glitter) is:

the sensation of a cache of diamonds in an opened cave or the Versailles Hall of Mirrors with its thousands of candle flames. . .a ballroom of crystal

chandeliers. Play of brilliants is Times Square at night . . . sunlight on a tumbling brook . . . the heaven full of stars. . . birch trees interlaced by a motor car’s headlights ( Emerson, E. , 1967 ).

Figure 4.47 : Glitter of a chandlier , Süleymaniye Mosque, Turkey ( Url - 78).

Figure 4.48 shows glimmers of an artwork installed on the atrium of a company offering energy solutions. The surface is made of fiber-optic fabrics resembling variations of daylight. The installation on vertical surface shines adding life to the space creating a waterfall effect.

Figure 4.48 : Lightfall effect of glimmers, office building, Aarhus, Denmark (Url - 79).