Ambient luminescence is shadowless
illumination. It minimizes form and
bulk. It dematerializes. It reduces the
importance of things and people. It
fills people with a sense of freedom of
space and suggests infinity. It is usu-
ally reassuring and restful.The best example is a foggy day on a
mountain top. There is an even glow
without incidence all around; there
are no shadows, nothing to tell you
what to look at. In that sense it’s con-
fusing, but it is also relaxing and rest-
ful, as there is no excitement, no
interest. It minimizes man—think
about a figure moving through that
fog—and destroys form [figure 2.6].Focal glow or task light, 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.Focal glow is the sunburst through
the clouds and the shaft of sunshine
that warms the far end of the valley. It
is the pool of light at your favorite read-
ing chair, your airplane-seat light, or
match-light on a face. Focal glow is
the end of the rainbow; it commands
attention, creates interest, fixes the
gaze, and tells people what to look at.
Focal glow is the focus. It separates
the important from the unimportant,
establishes precedence, can induce
movement, and can control traffic.Focal light is directive, creates a
bright center; it tells us what to lookat, organizes, marks the most impor-
tant element. It creates a sense of
space; you can organize depth
through a sequence of focal centers
[figure 2.7].To Kelly, sparkle or glitter is:a play of brilliants... 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
INTERIOR LIGHTING FOR DESIGNERS
Figure 2.6Ambient luminescence.