30X40 Design Workshop

Exterior Lighting Concepts (An Architect's Guide)

In this video Eric reviews the general concepts pros think about when considering how to light outdoor spaces.
Length 10:06
Price Free of charge
Subject Architecture
Languages English
Video Transcripts English

About the video

There are two fundamental points to understand about outdoor lighting. The first is that we actually require much less light in outdoor living situations than indoors, which means the overall lighting can generally be more theatrical and less focused on tasks.
The second is that in lower ambient light situations, we actually prefer lower color temperature light (warmer); it’s actually visually more comfortable. Whether it’s our primal draw to the flickering flame of fire or the fact that warm light renders the skin so naturally, our outdoor design objective is to aim for low, warmly toned lighting levels.
Architects featured in this video:
John Pawson, Messana O’Rourke, Eric Reinholdt | 30X40 Design Workshop, Amantea Architects, Dumican Mosey, The Construction Zone, Shades of Green, Tobin Dougherty, Wagner Hodgson, Abodwell, Perello, William Duff, Link Architecture, Turnquist, Ruhl Walker, Tinmouth Chang, Ziger Snead, Bates Masi

Meet the instructors

Eric Reinholdt is a founder of Thirty by Forty Design Workshop which was established in June 2013 in a home he designed overlooking Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. In 2016, he designed and constructed the Long Studio to complement the Longhouse and serve as a full-scale model of his design principles and the latest in building science; this is the home for 30X40.
“My work celebrates humble materials, subtle contrasts and finely-crafted details. I have a strong interest in modern regionalist design, local materials and familiar building forms juxtaposed against modern, open floor plans. I employ a minimalist, Shaker-like palette of details inspired by the site and natural surroundings.”

Video syllabus

1) The Lantern Effect – using a structure’s glazed walls to provide ambient light to nearby exterior spaces.
2) Layering of light – ambient, task and accent light tips.
3) Path lighting
4) Color (and) temperature
5) Object or sentinel lighting
6) Fire
7) Wall washing
8) Dynamic range and dimming
9) Uplighting
10) Light pollution