Lighting Design for Public Spaces

Lately, lighting for public spaces has changed radically. Lighting designers are much more oriented towards human experience than strictly on meeting technical standards. Thus they create areas that convey a sense of safety and are much more attractive to users. Public lighting must fulfil the following functions: traffic safety, deterring criminals and highlighting urban spaces.

Although public lighting was equal to street lighting a few years ago, it has become much more. The lighting of squares, building facades, and parks, in short, the lighting of the urban landscape, falls here. For such projects, the needs of the area, the architectural features, the adjacent lights, and the restrictions are considered. For example, if there are residential buildings in a square, we have to ensure that no light penetrates inside the rooms.

Duties of Public Spaces Lighting Design

guaranteeing the safety of users: a minimum level of lighting at ground level is recommended to be able to ensure movement, and good cylindrical lighting of people for a sense of security;
ensuring a good orientation in space: it can be created by creating hierarchies of the objectives and lighting some landmarks;
emphasizing the area’s architecture, highlighting its own identity.

Examples of lighting for public spaces: road lighting, facade lighting, sidewalk lighting, crosswalk lighting. And the illuminances they require: vertical illuminance for crosswalk, horizontal iiluminance and luminance for street lighting, horizontal and semicylindrical illuminance for sidewalks

Street Lighting

For road traffic, traffic safety is given by the quick and safe perception of the characteristics of the road route and any obstacles present on the roadway. For such a project, we analyze:

number and characteristics of light sources
type of fixing
type and method of current supply
luminance
uniformity
glare
colour rendering etc.

Standard EN 13201, Street lighting regulates visual needs in road traffic.

EN 13201 standard, Street lighting

Roads are classified into classes marked from A to F. From highways to local roads correspond specific lighting categories marked with M, C or P. Each class corresponds to certain values for luminance, uniformity, glare (TI), and marginal lighting.

The European standard that governs the entire public lighting sector is EN 13201 Road lighting. The standard establishes the characteristics of the lighting on the road and for intersections, roundabouts, pedestrian or bicycle tracks, etc. To determine the lighting values, traffic speed and density, the possibility of mixed traffic and environmental conditions are taken into account. Roundabouts and intersections are class C (from C0 to C5). In cases where vertical illumination also needs to be taken into account, the values for the EV class (from EV1 to EV6) should be consulted. SC classes must meet the purpose of facial recognition. It refers, in particular, to pedestrian areas.

The Evolution of Standards

The level of street lighting has always increased over time until the appearance of the first lighting standards (European standards were published in 2005). The first public gas lights were very inefficient due to the optics of the lanterns. After World War II, an average light level of 5 lx on the road could surprise observers with its high intensity. A few decades later, until public lighting standards were enforced, lighting levels of 30 lx to 35 lx on roads and between 10 lx and 20 lx on sidewalks were recommended for any average lighting project.

For a while, it was believed that the higher the level of lighting on the road, the safer it would become. The same principle applied to pedestrian spaces. A very high level was considered to lead to a decrease in crime. But scotopic vision (at night) and the human eye’s adaptation were not considered.

Luminance

Luminance may be even more important than the level of illuminance in street lighting. Luminance is measured in candelas per square meter. This represents our perception of light. Two different surfaces, illuminated with 500 lux each, can have totally distinct luminances. The materials from which the surfaces are made significantly influence this aspect. We cannot perceive light only if it is reflected on a surface. It matters a lot if the surface it reflects is white or black, glossy or matte, opaque or transparent.

Luminance graphic: calculation grid, the position of the eye, the distance between the poles

Architectural Lighting

It arose as a necessity to perceive the three-dimensionality of space at night, i.e. the need to make vertical surfaces visible as well.

Architectural lighting for public spaces is slightly different from “lighting design”. In indoor lighting design, the emphasis is on the technical side, on the visual comfort of users, efficiency, and increasing productivity. In contrast, architectural lighting is based on the artistic side, highlighting architectural elements and the concept. Architectural lighting must tell the story of the building it outlines.

Lighting for public spaces must respond to technical, energy, environmental and budgetary standards; constraints, but at the same time, they must create attractive and varied lighting environments and propose new uses and new night renderings of the spaces. The profession of lighting designer has gradually evolved to meet all these new challenges, and lighting for public spaces is now particularly complex and attractive.

A render, an example of architectural lighting in public spaces

Light Pollution

Due to the many advertisements and bright screens, light pollution is becoming more and more common. It affects the flora and fauna and prevents the view of the starry sky. In some countries, there are clear regulations regarding light pollution. In general, the percentage of light that can exceed the surfaces is calculated. It is desirable to be as small as possible. It is recommended to reduce the loss of light. For example, for recessed projectors, it is recommended to use a special wall washer or wall grazing optics.

Lighting Temperature

As for the light temperature (CCT- Correlated Color Temperature), the choice is entirely subjective. Temperature is measured in Kelvin degrees. The higher the value, the colder the light. It is assumed that a warm, slightly dimmed light is preferred due to the history of human evolution. This is due to the colour temperature of the sunset and the human circadian rhythm. The lack of the blue component in the light influences the production of melatonin in the body. Melatonin is also called the “sleep hormone”, hence the state of relaxation that warm light conveys to us. On the other hand, cold morning creates a modern and clean atmosphere, suitable for recently built buildings. Also, colour accents obtained with RGB fixtures are often applied to these buildings.

Lighting Fixtures for Public Spaces

1. Street and park lighting

In these cases, the aesthetics of the housing of the lighting fixture itself are essential. If we are talking about poles for public lighting, parks or bollards, these will be very visible even during the day. So their shape must be consistent with the urban landscape in which they are.

2. Architectural Lighting

In this situation, lighting fixtures that are as little visible as possible and that do not damage the appearance of the facade they illuminate are preferred. Most of the time, these casings are painted the same colour as the walls on which they are installed so as not to be easily noticed during the day.

LED Lighting for Public Spaces

For these projects, we recommend LED lighting fixtures. LEDs are much more efficient than other light sources: less heat released, more light produced for the same power, and lower costs. LEDs also have a long lifespan, thus reducing maintenance costs. In addition, they allow the application of multiple light distributions, which, if applied correctly, minimise light pollution. Therefore, we consider them to be the most suitable for such applications.

FAQ

Our experts answered the most frequently asked questions regarding the relevance of lighting to the experience of pedestrians and drivers at night.

What contributes to the feeling of safety for public lighting?

Just meeting the standards is not enough to give people a sense of safety when driving at night. The factors that influence this perception in terms of lighting are:

layers of light
lighting of vertical planes
quality of light, not quantity
ensuring the visibility of people’s faces, possible obstacles, but also the surrounding environment
avoiding completely dark areas

What is the role of lighting designers?

They not only have the role of meeting the standards (which focus on lighting, luminance and uniformity) but also ensuring the interaction of people with the environment at night in maximum safety conditions, highlighting the features and identity of the area and providing people with a state of comfort.

What color temperature do we choose for public lighting?

According to the study “Field Survey of the Effect of Lamp Spectrum on the Perception of Safety and Comfort at Night” Knight (2010) – people perceive areas illuminated in cool white as brighter and safer than those illuminated in yellow light. At the same time, cold light increases our concentration power, so we would recommend it for street lighting.

For the lighting of facades and squares, we suggest warm light. In the same study by Knight, the warm light was correlated with the feeling of home, with long-term living spaces increasing the sense of comfort.

How much light is needed for a public space?

The amount of light needed in a public place will depend on the size and use of the space, as well as the time of day. A general guideline is providing an average of 50-75 lux. But in reality, there are a lot of factors to consider, and that’s why we recommend the help of specialists for such projects.

How does the placement of lighting affect a public space?

The placement of lighting fixtures in a public space can affect the space’s safety, visibility and atmosphere. Lighting fixtures should be strategically placed to avoid creating shadows or glare.

What is the lifespan of lighting fixtures in public spaces?

The lifespan of lighting fixtures in public spaces will depend on the type of fixture and how it is used. LED light fixtures can last for several years with proper maintenance. For example, our lighting fixtures have stood the test of time, being still functional in projects implemented more than ten years ago.

Discover more

Office

On average, a person spends a third of their life at work. Today, companies are doing everything possible to create the most dynamic and pleasant atmosphere in the office. One of the factors that contribute to the well-being of users is light. Light directly affects the mood, energy and productivity of employees. Therefore, a crucial aspect is qualitative lighting for offices.

Hospitality

The hospitality industry strives to provide customers with unforgettable experiences that keep them returning. One factor that contributes to this experience is light. Any lighting design for hospitality involves more than compliance with standards; it shapes the place's identity.

Retail

How often have you bought a coat that is an entirely different colour when you get home or in the daylight? Light influenced this result. But, in reality, light is one of the factors with many attributes in a store. We will discuss the following several tips & tricks for lighting commercial spaces.

The precise technique additionally includes background lighting. Thus, the shadows created by the mannequins on the background behind them will be much blurred.

Places of Worship

Light in most religions has a symbolic function representing the presence of the divine. For a church, mosque, synagogue or any place of prayer, light has a special impact. It must convey and create a specific state of calm and safety. That is why the role of lighting design for places of worship is crucial.

Example of church lighting. Lighting for religious building has different lighting scenes and lighting layers.

Museums

The primary role of light in a museum is to highlight works of art without damaging them. The lighting designer considers both the conservation standards of the works (depending on the materials used), the architecture, and the limitations of the exhibition space. In a museum, light should create a mood for discovery, exploration and learning in a creative environment. But very often, it is difficult to fulfil the task of conservation and the desire for discovery at the same time. If you've ever wondered how we approach museum lighting projects, read the paragraphs below!

Industry

Lighting in the industry can influence productivity, the rigour of quality control, but also the safety and well-being of employees. Find industrial lighting tips and principles below.

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