Light and shade
| Proper lighting can provide that extra dimension to your home, a
tangible one that can make life better and easier too. But proper
planning is needed at the beginning to get it just right. |
PERFECT AMBIENCE: Good lighting can set the mood. Photo: K. Murali Kumar
LIGHTING SETS the mood in your home. Good lighting is not
something that you find in film sets and theatres alone. For your own dream home
too, the perfect ambience and mood can be created with the right mix of light
and shade.
But not many people bother to prepare a proper lighting plan
while planning their dream house. The usual practice is to find an engineer to
draw a plan, get the structure constructed according to it, summon the
electrician to complete the wiring and plumbing and buy the lighting fixtures.
The electrician usually doubles up as the light designer, who
usually settles for one or two fixtures for a room. No one bothers if
tube-lights are used lavishly in all kinds of rooms.
But gone are those days, says architect, S. Gopakumar, of the
Kochi-based Kumar Group. People have started taking lighting more seriously, he
says.
"These days, architects usually prepare a full lighting
drawing even before the plan for the entire house is drawn up," he says.
The lighting plan is more or less based on the furniture. The positioning of the
furniture is marked first, and then the lights needed for each piece of
furniture and for each sitting cove are chosen. The use of natural lighting is
also considered.
Bedroom
For example, in a bedroom the three main lights are the
reading light, the dressing table light and a general light. The reading light
should be near the bed, but not high like a wall fixture light.
"The idea is that the reading light should not disturb
the other person's sleep," Mr. Gopakumar says. Likewise, on the dressing
table, the light should illuminate the face from both sides; otherwise you would
look ghostly.
The switch of the general light should be positioned near the
door, so that it can be switched on immediately on entering the room. The
location of switches is also important. The main light and fan should have
switches near the bed too.
Living room
The living room lighting should lead to a combination of
light and dark areas. "We do not use tube-lights much," Mr. Gopakumar
says. Hermit K.L., staff member of Jos Electricals, one of the oldest electrical
shops in Kochi, also refers to the people's dislike for tube-lights.
Instead of the 40-watt, three-feet-long tube-lights, 36-watt,
1.5-feet-long tube-lights are preferred more these days.
Dining room
For the dining room, the light should focus on the table.
But, in India, we cannot focus light right on to the food, as is the practice in
the West, because it will attract small insects. So, in Kerala we use different
lighting styles for the dining room, says Mr. Gopakumar. In the kitchen, the
dishwashing area needs the most light. Even the window should be located near
the sink. In toilets, you also need a mirror light. These days, it is just not
one flat light that is used to light up an entire hall.
Lighting up separate areas is now the in-thing.
For that reason, and also for power saving, compact
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are mostly preferred these days. Especially, the CFLs
from China and Singapore are in great favour.
However, CFLs from abroad have a big drawback in our country,
says Mr. Hermit. They cannot survive the continuous voltage fluctuations, a
common thing here. The preference is for soft and warm lighting, instead of
sharp, cold and white lighting. "Less light is the better light is the
motto," according to Mr. Gopakumar.
Major
factors
The age and profession of family members are major factors
determining a lighting plan. For a writer or an architect who needs to spend
hours at the worktable and in front of the computers, suitable task lighting
should be provided to reduce the strain on eyes.
Another trend is the preference to have designer lights.
"These days, people often order designer lightings." There are firms
that specialise in providing designer lights.
RENU RAMANATH
Light up your house and mood
— naturally
| Want a bright idea for letting natural light into your house? The
easiest way is to install skylights. |
SIMPLE AND INNOVATIVE: Creative ways of letting in light. - PHOTOS: BY
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
It could be a daunting task to ensure natural lighting and
ventilation in houses, particularly where rows of houses adjoin one another.
Remember, we are in the tropical region with abundant light
and a pleasant climate. It is sad that we struggle to get sufficient
illumination into our houses. This is because the buildings are too close to one
another and we follow the European concept of window design.
Light can be brought into the house from surfaces which are
in contact with the environment, such as wall and roof. Windows are the
conventional source of light. Windows also ventilate and provide a view of the
world outside.
Many a time we are unable to keep the windows open due to
practical difficulties. Though sufficient light is received through the window,
if the neighbour's window is right opposite to ours we are compelled to cover
the window with a curtain to maintain the privacy of the room. As a result, both
light and ventilation are reduced.
When windows in the wall are unable to illuminate the room,
we have to use the roof for an uninterrupted supply of light. Openings in the
roof are called skylight. The illumination from the roof is almost 10 times
brighter, without interruption and loss of privacy.
Some of the inspiring lighting methods can be seen in old
houses and bungalows. Traditionally, our houses had tiled roofs. The hall in my
grandparents' house had four glass tiles on the roof which sufficiently
illuminated the room throughout the day. It was also a joy to see the
rectangular patch of light move from west to east. When the maid swept the
floor, the light stood up like a column, illuminating the dust. At night, when
we slept in the hall, we saw stars.
Clear
storey window
My uncle's quarters is an old bungalow. The hall in the
middle is surrounded by rooms. A window between the roof of the verandah and the
roof of the hall brings light into the room.
We opened the shutter with the rope tied to it. This opening
is called a clear storey window.
Our summer vacation was in a `Home Stay' in Coorg. The house
was a colonial structure. Our accommodation was on the ground floor. We had to
draw the curtain of the window for privacy. A hood on the tiled roof with a
triangular window sufficiently lit the room.
This is called a dormer window. It is found in traditional
Kerala houses. It illuminated the room in the attic.
Central
area
Houses with courtyard, locally called `Thotti Mane', have a
central area open to sky normally surrounded by a verandah. All the windows of
the surrounding rooms open into this light receptacle. The courtyard, in
addition, provides cool air.
This area serves as a multi-functional space where the
members of the family interact. In arid places such as Rajasthan, the courtyard
serves as a collector of water from the roof of the surrounding rooms. A sump
below the floor collects enough water for the family for a year. The courtyard
is a solution for many of the ecological issues.
Contemporary architects have addressed natural illumination
with innovative concepts using modern materials.
The wisdom and techniques of our predecessors are interpreted
using contemporary materials and applied in the modern context. H
House with a courtyard is a fashion nowadays. Some courtyards
are covered with glass for privacy and protection from rain. Lovely green
gardens can be developed in this place.
Small sites
In small sites, one cannot have the luxury of providing a
courtyard. Each room will have to be illuminated from the sky.
The rooms on the first floor can easily be lit by creating
openings on the roof covered with glass. To provide skylight for the rooms on
the ground floor, the first floor rooms have to be moved so that a small surface
of the roof is exposed to the sky. Should this not be possible, push the wall of
the lower floor out by a foot or two and use glass for the roof of this area.
Smart
niches
Niches (recess in the wall) can be created with glass roofs.
These brightly lit alcoves can be adorned with potted plants, sculptures and
photographs and will be the focal point in a room. Introducing coloured glass
blocks on the roof can give dramatic illumination.
A periscope-like opening on the roof of an architect's house,
with two mirrors in a `z' shaped lighting duct, illuminates the room on the
ground floor.
The technique is basic and child-like and brightens the face
of the onlooker.
Many materials such as glass, polycarbonate sheet and acrylic
sheet can be used to cover skylights. They are transparent and allow a view of
the sky.
Wired glass, crinkled polycarbonate sheet, white acrylic
sheet, translucent PVC sheet and fibreglass sheet can be used on skylights if
the view of the sky is not required.
When odds are against you and your house must be brightly
lit, look towards the sky for unlimited supply of uninterrupted light.
ANAND PRAKASH
Courtesy: Property Plus, The Hindu
Positioning lights for a
better ambience
| Various types of light sources make a room or a garden attractive and
inviting. Planning for the right lighting scheme requires imagination
and knowledge about light sources and fixtures. |
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Lights add to the ambience of rooms.
Have you ever felt that the harsh lights in your living room
need to be replaced with subdued lighting to improve the ambience? Are the
high-voltage bulbs in the kitchen failing to illuminate the cooking area, while
pushing up the power bill? Does the outdoor lighting leave a large part of your
garden in the dark? Perhaps, it is time to consult a lighting designer.
Lighting design is the art of illuminating a space by merging
functionality with technology and style. The challenge of a lighting designer is
to develop solutions that achieve the best balance between general ambience and
accommodation of the activities of people who use the space.
For most of us, lighting a room means installing a few
ceiling fixtures and cabinet lights. However, lighting means more than just the
use of attractive fixtures. There are various types of light sources that can
make a room or a garden more attractive and inviting. Planning for the right
lighting scheme requires some imagination and knowledge about light sources and
fixtures.
Lighting
sources
Incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lights constitute the two
common lighting sources for domestic use. Each type can provide a certain type
of light for specific lighting tasks. Although energy-efficient luminaries are
more expensive, they help to cut back electricity consumption.
Incandescent bulbs are easy to install and inexpensive, but
they have a shorter lifespan and consume more electricity. Fluorescent lights
release a brighter and whiter light compared with incandescent bulbs. They are
more expensive, but are energy-efficient and last up to 20 times longer than
incandescent lights.
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) need 80 per cent less energy
than what incandescent light bulbs consume. An incandescent bulb rated at 100
watts will produce 1,200 lumens (a lumen is a unit of light). A comparable
compact fluorescent lamp will typically use only 20 watts of electricity to
produce the same amount of light.
Another advantage of CFLs over other types of lighting is
their long life span. Incandescent bulbs have a lifespan of approximately 1,000
hours, compared with between 8,000 and 15,000 hours for CFLs.
According to N. Krishnaswamy of the city-based Ananthapuri
Electrical Engineers and Consultants, planning for a proper lighting system
involves an assessment of the purpose for which the room is used and the
required output. "For example, a CFL of 11 watts with a covered fitting to
prevent theft would be ideal for the veranda where the light is left on for long
hours. Indirect, subdued lighting would be better for the sit out to create a
pleasant atmosphere. Glass fittings which result in glare are best avoided at
the entrance to a house," he says.
A CFL lamp of 9 W will be enough for a bathroom, while the
kitchen can do with two lights, one of the hanging type in the middle of the
room and another fitted under the cabinet to light up the cooking area.
Dim light is preferable for bedrooms, with an additional lamp
if the room is used for reading.
Tube lights constitute the ideal lighting solution for
reading areas in the house. Though costlier, the ultra-thin T5 tubes are
becoming popular for their power-saving features.
Need-based
approach
"Most people tend to splurge on additional lights and
plug sockets, without assessing their actual needs. Yet, they try to save money
by choosing sub-standard fittings which fail to meet safety regulations,"
Mr. Krishnaswamy says.
The electrical code specifies ISI markings for pipes, wires,
sockets, switches and ceiling roses.
Intelligent systems, which use a remote control unit to
switch on the lights and other electrical equipment in your house, and sensor
lights, which automatically switch off when nobody is in the room, have entered
the market.
With so many types of bulbs and lighting fixtures available
off the shelf, customers are truly spoilt for choice these days. But then, the
use of light is no longer reduced to simple illumination purposes.
Concealed light sources or backlights installed behind
curtains or furniture can be used to enhance the mood of a room or spotlight an
artefact or painting.
While selection of quality lighting fixtures and bulbs is a
given, placement of lighting equipment is equally critical for comfortable and
effective illumination of the various tasks and functions of a space.
Outdoor
lighting
People tend to think about outdoor lighting in strictly
practical terms. Most houses have lights outside at the front and back doors and
another one in the garage. But properly done outdoor lighting can enhance the
beauty and charm of the garden or driveway and provide night time safety.
For outdoor lighting, the connectors, fittings and bulbs all
have to be heavy duty, waterproof and weatherproof. Bollard lights, post-top
lanterns, up-and-down lights and dome lights can be used to impart a special
effect to a landscaped garden.
"Lighting designers are mostly consulted only at the fag
end of the construction of a house. Ideally, it should happen when the building
itself is designed so that the location of the fittings can be determined in
advance," Mr. Krishnaswamy says.
T. NANDAKUMAR
Courtesy: Property Plus, The Hindu
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Light up the room the way
you want
| Light dimmers are being extensively used these days. |
Light dimmers are used to raise or lower light levels to make
it appropriate to the need. They are used extensively in public spaces such as
restaurants and theatres and in homes too.
The rudimentary light controls employed resisters or variable transformers.
They were bulky, expensive and inefficient to a large extent. The new generation
dimmers are based on Triac or Thyristor as the power control device and are
efficient. They ar e not bulky and come in various shapes and colours to meet
home needs.
Controlling voltage
In physical terms, the dimming of the light is achieved by controlling the
voltage that gets to the bulb. If adjustable power resisters were used initially
to control the voltage, electronics has come to play a big role now in light
dimmers, making them cheaper, easily and more finely controllable and more
efficient.
Dimmers have now become essential parts of homes and automobiles too. Various
levels of light help night driving just as varying light levels can be used in a
family drawing room.
From being just on or off, dimmers now help light up areas, including theatre
stages to appropriate levels. For example, dimmers can now be made to slowly
fade out instead of being just on or off.
Most homes use remote light dimmers. Generally they are knob-operated for
home purposes, aesthetically designed and textured to meet the home decor needs.
Programmable devices
Since electronics is into play, there are also programmable dimmers which
offer convenience over the ordinary dimmers. As homes grow more sophisticated
and the need for energy saving is emphasised, light dimmers are being more and
more seen as part of intelligent lighting levels that will be part of home
automation.
Dimming a bulb can save high levels of energy and experts claim varying
levels of energy savings through use of dimmers. They also say that life of the
lamps can be extended using dimmers.
In house automation, dimmers can save energy through appropriate light levels
by detecting occupancy. Movements in a room can be detected and fed to the light
control device which in turn will either raise or lower the light levels. In
areas where air-conditioning is used, lowering the heat level in a room through
use of dimmers will save energy.
Home security
Finely controlled light dimmers can play a key role in home security too.
Using different modes of lighting can ensure that a home is lighted at normal
levels for a period even if there are no occupants in the house. Using timing
devices or movement detectors can help vary the light levels depending on the
requirements.
In general, dimmers help us improve the quality of lighting in our environs
be it home or office. Large spaces too have come under the influence of light
controllers such as in a hospital or a museum where light levels are controlled
for comfort or efficiency.
The fact that home automation is catching up has led to continuing research
and development improving the light dimmers to make them ultimately a major part
of our lives.
K.A. MARTIN
Courtesy:
Property Plus, The Hindu
