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Artificial Lighting & Architecture

Peter Levers
Dec 19, 2015
2 min read

Ever since fire was first discovered Humans have had a fundamental attraction towards light. Just like a moth to flame, we are drawn towards areas of brightness. This unconscious inclination has been credited as an instinctual mechanism of survival as darkness brings feelings of obscurity and the fear of the unknown.

With the advent of electricity cheaper and more efficient forms of artificial light were made available to the masses and replaced older, primitive systems such as gas powered lighting, oil lamps and candles. As our understanding of artificial light and electricity expanded, more imaginative and extravagant uses were developed.

Unknown. Las Vegas. [image online] Available at: http://img.thesun.co.uk/aidemitlum/archive/00894/SNF24SPD7-682_894840a.jpg [Accessed 18 December 2015]

An early example of how artificial lighting has been adapted from its original purpose is Las Vegas and it's Neon signs. This form of lighting acted as an effective form of advertising/marketing that enticed and mesmerised the spectator and attracted visitors to the city from around the the country and the rest of the World.

There have been a number of different technologies developed over the years to harness electricity and convert it into light such as halogen lamps to fluorescent lights and neon tubes. Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) have been around since the early 1960s as practical electronic components but were inefficient and had a low light output. It has only been recently in it's history that advances in technology and materials have allowed LEDs to be produced that are durable and provide a high enough light output to be used as another form of lighting. Due to the small size of an indivdual LED, more creative and ostentatious forms are now achievable. The Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany is a good example of this. This football stadium is covered in LEDs that enable it to change the look of the exterior and through the use of many available colours at it disposal, each adaptation creates a different impression.

Unknown. Allianz Arena. [image online] Available at: http://www.cravingfootball.co.uk/uploads/2/6/5/1/26516403/6919665_orig.jpg [Accessed 18 December 2015]

The effective use of artificial lighting on the exterior can add another dimension to a piece of architecture. Come the evening it transforms adding a new element to the building and creates a different and more exciting experience to the spectator than if viewed during the day.

Unknown. JCube Mall at Day. [image online] Available at: http://www.rsp.com.sg/project/show?id=151 [Accessed 18 December 2015]

Shiang Han, L., 2013. JCube Mall at Night. [image online] Available at: http://www.singaporephotography.com/portfolio/architecture [Accessed 18 December 2015]

Outdoor Lighting Festivals have become a popular occurence throughout the World. These see immersive light shows, art installations and sculptures incorporated into local landmarks and using pieces of architecture as a form of canvas. These festivals have become more prominent each year with more extravagant displays, technologies and shows on display. Vivid Sydney is a good example of this as during its inaugural year in 2009 it attracted 200,000 visitors. Each year the popularity of this festival has risen considerably with the number of visitors in 2015 numbering at 1.7 million.