Interior Lighting for Designers

the dominant feature. This lighting condition
increases awareness of nearby detail,
people, and movement, and encourages
conviviality among patrons. The architecture
will appear as a neutral or subordinate visual
influence (figure 13.33).
The architectural environment, however,
is interpreted by illuminating vertical and
overhead surfaces. When lighting focuses
the visual emphasis on these peripheral sur-
faces, the intensity of illumination on the
tabletops is reduced; objects and people in
the center fall into silhouette. Activity is then
visually subordinate to the general space,
inducing a more intimate atmosphere in
which individuals feel a sense of privacy or
anonymity (figure 13.34).
Successful restaurant design is the bal-
ance of the two: a convivial atmosphere in

which one feels a sense of intimacy and pri-

vacy, where other guests at other tables

become the background, and where your

table is the most important one in the room

(figure 13.35).

Luminance Ratios

In offices, controlling the luminance varia-

tions within limits ensures good visibility.

Within these limits, variation is desirable and

will make the office environment more

pleasing. Luminance differences are speci-

fied in terms of the ratio between one lumi-

nance and the other (figure 13.36).

It is undesirable to maintain these ratios

throughout the entire environment, however.

For visual interest and distant eye focus

(required for eye muscle relaxation periodi-

cally throughout the day), small areas that

INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR DESIGNERS

Figure 13.33When the lighting system illuminates horizontal surfaces, people and activities become dominant.