Product Description

The Architecture of Light makes lighting design approachable. This vivid, image packed text of lighting concepts and techniques serves as the perfect companion for lighting design students and professionals alike. Built around a successful teaching curriculum, this text provides a logical step by step progression through the phases of conceptualizing, refining, drafting and presenting lighting design. Written by a practicing professional lighting designer who is also an award winning design instructor, The Architecture of Light presents a perfect blend of visual design tools and fundamental lighting knowledge. In addition to theory and discussion, The Architecture of Light also provides complete chapters of common lighting details, case studies and a catalog of specific lighting tools. Every architect, interior designer and design student deserves a working knowledge of lighting design and this single book makes it possible.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53957 in Books
• Published on: 2008-01-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• 264 pages

Review
Released in January 2008, The Architecture of Light is a lighting design textbook that merges fundamental lighting knowledge with graphic techniques for generating and communicating lighting design. The 264-page book is the brainchild of Sage Russell, a lighting designer at San Diego-based Lumia Light Studio and instructor at the Design Institute of San Diego. When asked what inspired him to publish the book, Russell says, "Having taught lighting design to architects and interior designers for seven years, each semester I struggled to provide them a text resource that was practical and applicable in the context of a one-semester lighting education." Specifically created as a tool for design professionals whose primary focus is not lighting design, The Architecture of Light concentrates on visual data to provide a deeper understanding of the lighting decision-making process. Color diagrams, photographs, and renderings are used to educate readers about the controllable aspects of light--both electric and daylight--and how they can be applied to architectural spaces. The text, which features 28 chapters divided into three parts--the fundamentals of light, designing light, and deliverables--presents procedures that architects and designers can follow to develop an architectural lighting solution that enhances the design intent of a project. In addition to outlining the process of lighting design, Russell includes a series of chapters that focus on lighting fundamentals such as the physical properties of light and color, physiology of vision, and the characteristics of electric light sources. An overview is provided for the luminaire selection process, and readers are introduced to a family of "workhorse" products that commonly appear in fixture schedules. Sample cutsheets and images also are provided from a variety of lighting manufacturers, along with case studies of each fixture type. Typical lighting layouts for residential and commercial spaces are supplied, along with frequently used lighting details to illustrate design tactics for a variety of interior environments. Developed as a supplement to the text, lighting textbook.com features design guides and lecture modules that follow the book's organization. Instructors of lighting design courses can download free PowerPoint presentations, handouts, and exercises based on a 15-week curriculum. The textbook--available for retail orders at amazon.com--and the online tools were developed with the purpose to expose individuals to basic lighting knowledge and offer a true representation of what professional lighting designers do. "Good design comes from faith in a process," Russell explains. "If a designer knows that they have a reliable method for making design decisions and coming up with concepts, they will have more confidence in their abilities, and will evolve to more innovative design." --Source: ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING Magazine By Megan Casey

From the Publisher
Written by a practicing professional lighting designer who is also an award winning design instructor, The Architecture of Light presents a perfect blend of visual design tools, and fundamental lighting knowledge.

The most useful aspects of practicing lighting design are presented here. Visual examples of critical lighting theories A comprehensive approach to adding light in layers Rendering and drafting techniques for documenting concepts and applications. Diagrams of fundamental lighting physics and physiology In depth discussion of specific lighting applications Examples of lighting layouts, luminaire schedules and cut sheets Daylight integration systems and details

In addition to theory and discussion, The Architecture of Light also provides complete chapters of common lighting details, case studies and a catalog of specific lighting tools. Every design student, architect and interior designer deserves a working knowledge of lighting design and this single book makes it possible.

From the Author
Lecture Download: The architecture of light is based on an award winning 15 week curriculum of architectural lighting design coursework. These lectures are provided absolutely free of charge. Instructors and professionals are encouraged to download the weekly coursework for use in classrooms and as design guidance. Each lecture is provided with supporting assignments and a lecture guide.

Details and Diagrams: The Architecture of Light provides bold, easy to understand figure and diagram. Also included are two chapters of typical lighting application details including coves, slots, backlighting applications and daylight integration details.

Typical Lighting Layouts: The Architecture of Light includes over twenty pages of typical lighting layouts for a variety of commercial and residential spaces. Each layout includes a discussion of common features and a breakdown of the layered application of light.

Customer Reviews

LOVED IT!!!
This book is so fantastic that I emailed the author directly. Here is what I told him:

I really LOVE your book! (LOVE...LOVE...LOVE IT!) It is just what I wanted and needed for my students. I am planning to use it for my new online lighting class to launch spring 2009. I have found your power points helpful also...thank you so much!

Here is what I didn't tell him:

The Architecture of Light reads like a lighting novel instead of a textbook...I just wanted to keep reading and reading. It is the ONLY lighting textbook I've ever read that didn't put me to sleep! The Architecture of Light is not only interesting and practical; it also easy to read, easy to understand and I could hear Sage's enthusiasm seeping through the pages as I read it.

Sage Russell offers readers a refreshing perspective on how to create with light and his book truly transformed my understanding of this subject. Educators, designers and students alike will find his book to be a valuable & excellent resource on their path to understanding and mastering lighting concepts and techniques.

I loved it...and so will you!

what you see is what you need
In an industry known for confusing acronyms, undeciferable number sequences and cut sheets, this book acts like a road map for understanding the multi faceted world of lighting design. Delightfully straight forward and easy to read, each of Russell's steps is outlined clearly to help teach a general method for approaching lighting a space depending on your end goals rather then a micro managed process of what goes where in each room. The concepts are balanced with doses of real world insight and finished off with a great breakdown of sample fixtures and their applications. Explaination and illustration of cut sheets, lamp details, lighting maps, sample interiors and exteriors all contribute to the book's clarity. Whether you are an industry professional hoping to brush up on your understanding of current technique or a student trying to get a good general introduction to the field this book is sure to be exactly what your looking for.

The Architecture of Light
Finally, a book has been written that truly expresses the process of lighting design. You will find this text to be refreshingly organic in it's approach to seeing and feeling the lighted environment first. The science of illumination is covered in a very intuitive manner.

Russell's illustrations and examples are easily understood. You feel as though you are attending a private instruction session.
I highly recommend this book. As an architectural lighting designer, I am using this as an inspirational guide with fellow designers and clients.

Well done!