Interior Lighting for Designers

Because it can withstand higher operating
temperatures, color rendering is also
improved; ceramic metal halide lamps have
CRIs of 81 to 96 (color plate 31). These are
the highest color-rendering HID lamps avail-
able.
A “best” lamp color is nonexistent, as is
“true” color. Each spectral distribution
results in different object colors, whether

that distribution comes from natural

sources, such as sunlight or skylight, or from

electric sources, such as incandescent, fluo-

rescent, or HID lamps. The “right” color

source for a given application depends upon

an evaluation of trade-offs, including direc-

tional control, familiarity, color rendition,

efficacy, absence of glare, maintenance,

and cost.

INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR DESIGNERS