the two planes, however, the corner
becomes evident, even if the total intensity
of light has decreased.
Only with shadows, then, can much of
light be appreciated. Just as a good listener
appreciates conversation by its pauses, we
can appreciate light by its shadows.
Energy-Effective Design
Successful lighting design isenergy-effective
design. It uses the available watts to supply
light where it is needed, when it is needed,
and limits light from where it is unwanted
(figure 13.39). Energy-effective design
includes both careful control of light and
careful control of brightness. It means
making every watt count (figure 13.40).
Energy efficiency and lighting quality
have sometimes been considered conflicting
design objectives. Energy limits are just one
of the many design constraints that design-
ers face. Design means working within pro-
ject parameters, whether they are space
limitations, fixed budgets, time constraints,
color palettes, or connected lighting power
limits (figure 13.41).
Within a given power budget, the
designer has unlimited freedom. Distributing
light on room surfaces and objects in a way
that facilitates orientation, aids perception,DESIGNFigure 13.37Lighting design includes
shadows as well as light.