Curious to Know How Color Temperature and Illuminance Affect Your Sensory World?
Have you ever questioned why you feel relaxed under the warm lighting in a cafe, and yet alert under the bright white light in an office? The secret lies in color temperature and illuminance. These are more than terms used for lighting; they are potent phenomena that adjust our sensory perceptions. This article explores the impacts color temperature and illuminance have on our emotions, behaviors, and health, and how to make these factors work for you to optimize the effects of outdoor lighting.
1. Color Temperature: The "Temperature" of Color, the "Palette" of Emotions
Light sources are rated in Kelvin(K) for their color temperature. Warm color temperatures (2700-3000K) reproduce yellow light associated with sunset while cold color temperatures (5000-6500K) reproduce the blueish white light related to midday sun. Cold light is considered refreshing and invigorating.
1.1) Warm Tones (Low Color Temperature): Creating a Cozy and Relaxing Atmosphere
Light with a warm tone usually falls between 2700K to 3000K, much like the light during sunset. This type of light is perfect for parks, plazas, and even pedestrian streets, setting an atmosphere where people can relax. Studies claim that lighter tones such as these, assist in the secretion of melatonin, enabling swift relaxation.
Application Scenarios:
Building facade: Using warm-toned lighting can make the facade of a building warmer and more friendly, especially for residential or commercial buildings, which can provide a comfortable visual experience.
Parks: Resting spaces and seating areas with warmer-toned lights will help improve the experiences of people visiting the park.
Pedestrian Streets: Warmer-toned lights on streets where pedestrians walk will help people feel more at ease.
1.2) Cool Tones (High Color Temperature): Improving Concentration and Security
Light with a cool tone usually falls between 5000K to 6500K, like the very intense light rays from a midday sun. This type of light is very suitable when engaging in alert and safety-sensitive activities, such as driving on busy roads. Studies have shown that cool-toned LED lights can make everyone feel more alert.
Application Scenarios:
Bridge lighting: For the lighting of bridges, using cool tones can enhance the visual effect for drivers, especially when driving at night, ensuring clear visibility of the road and bridge structures.
Parking Lots: High-color temperature lighting is also eventually put into action for multi-story buildings, as better quality light will keep the driver alert and focused when parking.
Sports Fields: Cool-toned lighting can make the athlete better concentration in the competition.
2. Illuminance: The Stir of the Light and the Scope of Clear Vision
Illuminance, or lux, is the quantitative scale that measures light received per unit area. Put simply, it is the amount of light present in a certain area. The correct illuminance level magnifies clear and undistorted vision enabling one with a comfortable view, while extremely high and low values of illuminance can result in visual fatigue.
2.1) Enhancing Alertness and the Scope of High “Illuminance”
High illuminance increases the remaining active senses of a. person, particularly during his other activities such as when he is on the move. Therefore, it is also ideal for outdoors that require high levels of precision as well as safety, like sports stadiums, as well as construction sites. However, people should remember that, while exposure to high opens will enable them to feel buildings and changes in their surroundings, an undue amount of such exposure surely will cause visual fatigue.
Application Scenarios:
High Illuminated Stadiums: High illuminance lighting provides for increased perceptual clarity during the game, ensuring fairness and safety.
High Illuminanced Construction Sites: High illuminanced lighting serves construction workers better.
Milano City Landmarks: The Winner's high illuminance has the possibility of highlighting distinct features which in turn attracts more and more visitors and tourists.
2.2) Achieving Underexposed Scope of Low “Illuminance”
Low illuminance creates a soft and intimate atmosphere, perfect for outdoor spaces like gardens, courtyards, and waterfront areas where relaxation and tranquility are desired. However, low levels of illumination values can be unsafe so corrections should be done based on these predetermined specifications.
Application Scenarios:
Gardens: Using low illumination lighting allows guests to unwind and appreciate the tranquillity of the evening.
Courtyards: Low illuminance lighting also improves a family's friendly cozy atmosphere.
Waterfronts: Setting low illuminating lights fosters a romantic and enigmatic vibe, most suitable for lovers.
3. Perfect Combination Of Color Temperature And Illuminance
The balance between color temperature and illuminance creates the appropriate sensory experience. Outdoor lighting effects can be taken to their peak through the mastering of the temperature and color illumination mix.
3.1) High Color Temperature Plus High Illuminance
Bright and clear lighting is more suitable for high-focus outdoor work areas. High color temperature combined with high illuminance captures light in a clear and focused manner making it adequate for places that need safety and focus.
Application Scenarios:
Commercial building facades: The use of high color temperature and high illumination lighting can highlight the modernity of the building while enhancing the safety of the surrounding environment.
Sports Stadiums: With high illuminating lights set in a sports stadium, the safety and clarity achieved by it pave the way for fairness during lively sports.
Highways: To ensure the safety of the driver while using the highway, high-illuminating light bulbs can be availed on the highway.
3.2) Low Color Temperature + Low Illuminance: Warm and Cozy. Ideal for Relaxing Outdoor Spaces
The combination of low color temperature and low illuminance transforms the atmosphere to warm and cozy, which means relaxation is guaranteed in outdoor areas such as parks and gardens. This type of lighting assists in adequately helping people relax and enjoy peaceful moments.
Application Scenarios:
Surrounding residential buildings: Low color and low light lighting can create a warm and comfortable atmosphere for residential areas, enhancing the living experience.
Parks: Low Color temperature and low illuminance lighting work well for assisting visitors to relax and enjoy the night.
Gardens: Low color temperature and low illuminance lighting naturally warm the atmosphere making it suitable for use.
3.3) High Color Temperature + Low Illuminance: Refreshing and Serene, Ideal for Modern Minimalist Outdoor Spaces
The combination of high color temperature and low illuminance generates an outdoor atmosphere that is refreshing, serene, and suitable for modern minimalist outdoor spaces like plazas and the waterfront. This type of illumination enhances the user’s ability to see, providing light without losing warmth.
Application Scenarios:
Plazas: The high color temperature and low illuminance combination produce lighting that induces minimalism and modernism in the social setup.
Waterfront areas: This type of high-color temperature and low-illuminance lighting creates a refreshing and serene leisure environment.
3.4) Low Color Temperature + High Illuminance: Warm and bright, suitable for vibrant outdoor spaces
The combination of a low color temperature and high illuminance results in light that is warm and bright, which further enhances lively outdoor spaces such as pedestrian streets and night markets. This type of lighting is capable of raising brightness while making a place feel cozy.
Application Scenarios:
Pedestrian Streets: Shop features are greatly accentuated by low color temperature alongside high illuminance lighting, capturing the attention of passers.
Night Markets: A lively and energetic shopping vibe is created through low color temperature and high illuminance lighting.
4. The Strategies: How Can One Use Color Temperature and Illuminance to Improve Outdoor Lighting Effects?
A city can be made more visually pleasing if illuminance under color temperature is dealt with proficiently. More comfort and efficiency can also be installed in the outdoor lighting.
4.1) Urban Parks: Appropriation of Color Temperature Band and Lucent Value per Functional Zones.
In urban parks,it is possible to allocate zones with differing color temperatures and illuminance levels to achieve a certain mood.
Leisure Areas: The relaxing environment can be heightened by using low illuminance and low color temperatures of less than 3000K.
Sporting Areas: Activities performed in sports areas can be done efficiently if a high temperature of above 5000K and high illuminance is utilized.
Landscape Areas: Neutral color temperature (around 4000K) and medium illuminance can create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.
4.2) Streetside: Apply High Color Temperature and Illuminance for Better Aesthetics
In the streetside region, a high color temperature of above 5000K and high illuminance can increase the aesthetic appeal. However, brightness must be adjusted accordingly to ensure that there is no obstruction on direct light exposure to the eyes.
Stores: Use high illuminance and color temperature greater than 5000K to ensure that product colors and textures are well displayed to attract customers' eyeballs.
Pedigilistic Streets: Use high color temperatures and illuminance lighting to ensure a tone of liveliness in the shopping atmosphere.
4.3) Motorways: Adjust Color Temperature and Illuminance to Achieve any Traffic Demands
Regarding the highways, suitable color temperatures and illuminance levels can be selected according to the traffic requirements in order to maximize safety while driving.
Main Roads: Use high color temperatures above 5000K with a high illuminance to ensure that the roads are easily visible, therefore ensuring the safety of the drivers.
Secondary Roads: Use neutral color temperatures around 4000K with medium illuminance to ensure a safe and comfortable driving environment.
5. Conclusion
The color temperature and illuminance are two attributes of light that influence a person's feelings, behavior, and well-being, these attributes are vital and sometimes overlooked. Exploiting these effects and understanding their exponents can lead to better outdoor lighting designs that are more comfortable, effective, and aesthetic. The image of the city can be enhanced through proper outdoor lighting. Parks, commercial and residential buildings, and even highways can benefit from the well-balanced combination of color temperature and illuminance to appeal to the ideal experience, enhancing the sensory aspects of the city.
Revolutionize Your Lighting Design Now!
Are you still puzzled about your lighting design project? LNJAMI can help you develop sustainable and functional LED lighting design strategies in different scenarios based on your needs, and select color levels and brightness that are suitable for your project. Come and contact us, you can also find more details on our official website.
