Lighting Design Basics

An authoritative introduction to professional lighting design for architects, interior designers, and engineers

Lighting is an essential component of any designed space, yet it is one of the most difficult to get right. Lighting Design Basics, 4th Edition provides a fundamental grounding in architectural lighting concepts, processes, and techniques that every student should master. The book offers a carefully balanced combination of design and technology instruction and provides a great deal of graphic information, complete with plan, section, and three-dimensional drawings.

The authors examine over 25 different design scenarios with in-depth rationales for proposed solutions, insightful distribution diagrams, floor plans, and details for lighting installation and construction. Immersive instruction on real-world settings accompanies practical guidance suitable for immediate application in everyday projects.

Lighting can make or break any space, and design choices impact the cost and comfort of the building over the long term. Lighting Design Basics provides a critical foundation and prescriptive techniques to help future architects and interior designers make smart design choices. This new edition provides readers with:

• A new chapter, entitled Light and Health, covering the physiological aspects of lighting design
• Updated LED technical content with coverage of light sources, luminaires, controls, quantity and quality of light, color rendition, and calculation software tutorials
• Explorations of industry codes and additional material on sustainable practices
• Thorough discussions of lighting in residences, workspaces, educational facilities, healthcare spaces, retail stores, and hospitality environments
• The basic skills required to become competent in the field, and prepare for the NCIDQ and NCARB exams

Designed for undergraduate students in architecture and interior design, the latest edition of Lighting Design Basics is also valuable for working professionals in both fields who want to refresh their skills in lighting design and/or lighting technology.

Mark Karlen, PhD, (1929-2022) wasan architect and interior designer with extensive experience in design education and professional practice. During a long and varied career, hechaired the interior design programs at Moore College of Art and Design, the University of Cincinnati, and Pratt Institute.

Christina Spangler is a senior lighting designer in the Philadelphia-based BEAM, Ltd. Christina has received numerous local and national lighting awards throughout her 20+ year career. She was also an adjunct professor at the Moore College of Art and Design and Jefferson University.