Architectural Lighting (Assessment of domestic (home) illumination levels)

Architectural Lighting

Assessment of domestic (home) illumination levels

Content:

There are 2 parts to project.
a) Examination of the illumination levels [“lux” levels] in a domestic living environment [ie
a house / flat / appartment] using a professional illuminance meter [provided for 1
week] and an illuminance [lux] APP for smartphone / tablet / pad device.
b) Contrast these levels with those for similar spaces 1] as defined in AS1680 or [if not
defined therein] an overseas standard eg: CIBSE based United Kingdom standards
[Google CIBSE and Lighting design to find these standards] and 2] as defined in surveys
on line for domestic lighting elsewhere in the world.

Equipment:
Each student will have a professional meter for 1 week starting 13th March 2015 [first 6 students]
then the next six for 1 week starting 20th March [next six students]. Typically these are 0‐5000 Lux
devices. Use will be explained in class and a marking scheme will be shown and provided.
A digital camera [or very good phone camera eg: iphone 5 or better] is needed as coloured pictures
of the home environment where readings are taken and luminaires and lamps are needed.
Measurements:
1. Examine the use of the spaces in the domestic setting.
2. Decide where are the ‘activities’ that take place in the setting ie: activities that need
adequate illumination – be it on a horizontal surface [eg: food prep’n on kitchen bench]
or on any other surface [eg: bathroom – mirror – shaving or makeup application].
3. Use AS1680 and other references you have discovered from web – to determine the
“maintained” illuminance level required / appropriate for the activity.
4. Decide how many readings to take – based on the activity size/area and with no less
than 1 reading per 5 sq meter. Determine averages – show calc’n of averages – where
larger numbers of reading are taken.
5. On images of the spaces [from your digital camera] write the averages that you
found/calculated.
6. Show pictures of all luminaires in space and describe them as best you can. Try to find
out what lamps are in the luminaires.
7. Carry out two sets of readings a) one about midday with all window blinds open [unless
this allows direct sunlight onto meters which is no good] and no artificial lighting on, and

one after sunset with only artificial lighting on. Table these two cases separately. Repeat
these measurements with smartphone meter.
8. Discuss and contrast results cf. AS1680 or other requirements for domestic light you
have found and the differences between professional meter and smart phone readings.
9. Use AS1680 [see appendices in it] to determine a reading of both “vector illuminance”
and “scalar illuminance” on the main dining / eating table [wherever it is] both at
midday and after sunset as in 7. above. You will need to make a 150mm cardboard
“cube” to take these readings. Show a photo of your cube.

Quality critique:
GLARE: Were there any sources of direct ‘glare’ in the domestic lighting environment ?
What were they ? Were any of these “disabling” or were they “discomforting” ?
How could the glare be reduced or removed ?
Conclusions:
Discuss the whole lighting system in the domestic environment and its performance – as you feel it
applies to you as a user ?
What changes do you think are worth trying ?
How could your lighting survey be improved ?