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This of course means that to get as much light as from a GLS, you Fluorescent light often looks extra dull and uninviting when coming need to buy a CFL that has a higher wattage than recommended. That _ from a long tube (a very unnatural shape for a light source) that way, if you save anything at all it is quite a bit less than what the man- _ spreads the light evenly across the room, eliminating all natural shad- ufacturers claim and, even then, this is only if you invest in one of the ows. But isn't it possible that shadow and darkness are just as impor- more expensive quality lamps—and are lucky enough to get one that _tant for optimal health as enough of the right kind of light? really gives as much light as it says it will and does not lose too much When planning the lighting, it is very important to choose the right luminance too quickly or expire before it has saved energy beyond _ kind of light fittings (or luminaires, as they are meant to be called what it cost you to buy it! now) to get the effect that you want. To create more shadow and con- 4. The heat from light bulbs is always pointed out as a problem. trast, for instance, you need the lighting to be directional and lumi- However, this is so only in countries, seasons and places that are naires that are designed for the purpose. already more than hot enough, requiring the excess heat to be ventilat- Instead of a linear luminaire with a plastic diffuser, or a globe light ed away. In cooler climate zones, this can be an asset instead andhelp _ that scatters the light in all directions equally, directional lighting keep heating bills down,’ thereby making the difference between using —_ concentrates it in one direction (like a spotlight) or sometimes two incandescent bulbs and CFLs even smaller. (like many wall, table and floor lamps that let most of the light out 5. To make the CFL seem environmentally friendly despite the underneath but also let some out through the top). The fewer, smaller uncomfortable fact that it contains mercury, the incandescent bulb is and brighter the light sources and the narrower the beam angles, the very unfairly and incorrectly made to seem like it causes more mer- sharper and more dramatic the effect. With more and bigger lamps cury pollution, even though it doesn't contain any in itself. This argu- _ which have wider beam angles and are placed closer together (so that ment firstly assumes that the incandescent light bulb really does use so _ the beams meet or overlap), the effect is both softer and brighter, more much more energy (which it doesn't) and, secondly, it assumes that —_ resembling the evenly lit room but still having a much more natural that energy comes from mercury-polluting coal-fired power plants look and feel.‘ Concentrating the light also increases its brightness (in only!® Instead of trying to scapegoat the poor light bulb, would nota _ that direction) without the use of more electricity—especially if the more logical solution be to stop using coal’? lamp or luminaire has a polished aluminium reflector that projects the So why are so many energy authori- light outwards. ties and producers so extremely eager The direction of the beam is also for us to ruin the nice, relaxing atmos- important. Light falling diagonally pheres in our homes with potentially . downwards, like the daylight coming in unhealthy oD at really dont save Is there some other motive through wins. k accentuates that much at all? lo they want to . . . structures and often looks more natural do this, when light is something so behind this well-coordinated than light coming straight down from essential tolite and when incandescent and persistent campaign that the ceiling Light coming from only ight actually costs ridiculously little— . . the ceiling can also make a room fee usually only a measly few per cent of a seems to aim at having quite gloomy. Try using more lights household's total energy cost? (Most of incandescent light removed and place them lower, adapting their a that cost goes towards heating and . 4 position, direction and luminance to the cooling/heating water.) from private use altogether? main activity/activities in the room. If it's energy they want us to save, Here are some more tips: why are we constantly being encour- ¢ For places where you lie or sit aged to buy more and more unneces- down, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, sary gadgets with which to pamper and living rooms, waiting rooms, schools, amuse ourselves? Why not ask us to save on some of those instead? _ offices, trains and buses, I suggest directional lights that are placed so Or why not speed up the development of those alternative energy that most of the light falls just below eye level when lying or sitting sources we've been promised for so long? Is it just manufacturers and are not too bright, unless you're reading or doing some specific wanting to make a profit, and much ignorance on the part of everyone _task in that space. else who parrots their exaggerated claims without checking if they are «If you are reading or are working with your hands, make sure to true or not? get enough light right there over your reading/working space. The Or is there some other motive behind this well-coordinated and per- _—_—s more precision the task requires and the older you are, the more light sistent campaign that seems to aim at having incandescent light you need in order to see well. Even if a 40- or 60-watt bulb might be removed from private use altogether—such as making iteven more _ enough for a child or teenager, at 60 years of age you may need seven effective in creating an aura of glamour around certain products, peo- _ times as much light.'" Since most desk and reading lamps don't take ple, places and events, the more rare it becomes? more than a 60- or 75-watt bulb (or a 20- or 35-watt low-voltage halo- gen), consider using several of them combined, or even one or two Direction and Distribution 150-watt mains voltage halogen floodlights of the type mentioned Anders Liljefors, professor in architectural lighting at the Royal above. Institute of Technology, Stockholm, was the first to actually confirm * Uplighting is usually not a very good idea, first of all because it my perception of incandescent light as being of a higher quality. To _ feels odd with light going in the "wrong" direction, so to speak, and create good lighting environments, he suggests that we look at natural secondly because it has to travel all the way up to the ceiling before light for inspiration without having to copy it exactly. One of the some of it comes down in a very bleak, diffused and useless form. If reasons why the light on a cloudy day feels so dull and gloomy isnot —_- you have a wall-mounted uplighter at home, try turning it upside only that it is lower in luminance and cooler in colour, but also that it | down and see for yourself if it doesn't both look and feel better when is evenly diffused in all directions—whereas sunlight brightens the light is directed downwards instead. One of the few situations in everything up and also creates shadow, movement and sharp contrasts —_ which indirect lighting such as uplighting can be practical is when you between shadow and light.’ want to avoid glare and reflection in television and computer screens, and persistent campaign that _ Seems to aim at having incandescent light removed from private use altogether? Direction and Distribution Anders Liljefors, professor in architectural lighting at the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, was the first to actually confirm my perception of incandescent light as being of a higher quality. To create good lighting environments, he suggests that we look at natural light for inspiration without having to copy it exactly. One of the reasons why the light on a cloudy day feels so dull and gloomy is not only that it is lower in luminance and cooler in colour, but also that it is evenly diffused in all directions—whereas sunlight brightens everything up and also creates shadow, movement and sharp contrasts between shadow and light.’ 42 = NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2003 Is there some other motive behind this well-coordinated www.nexusmagazine.com