Sketch Series 3

Fabric Swatch Observations

Space 1: Fluorescent

a. The purpose of Walmart is to serve people as a large chain retail and home goods store.
b. The lighting is ambient lighting that is uniform throughout the space. The purpose of the lighting is to provide lighting throughout the space evenly so that all spaces are accessible, all the products are properly lit, and that all people are able to move throughout the space properly.
c. The lamps are long fluorescent bulbs that are bright and have more of a blue color.
d. The luminaires are long fluorescent fixtures that are placed on a grid system which are also placed close together. There is not one single area throughout the space that is darker than any other.
e. The effect of the lighting source in the space is somewhat loud in both a literal and symbolic way. The lighting promotes high energy and alertness.
f. I feel that the illumination level is a little too high in that it is almost too bright. It has been reported that the illumination levels in stores like this have been raised so that quality of electronics change making more expensive items more appealing.
g. My suggestions would be to either lower the illumination level some or change the ambient lighting to include other forms, such as task and accent lighting. Maybe items would sell better if the lighting was non-uniform, making it more home-like and more imaginable of the customer’s typical living spaces.


Space 2: Halogen

a. The purpose of the space is a kitchen where light is needed under the cabinets to complete tasks.
b. Lighting is needed to use appliances and prepare food.
c. The luminance is a halogen bulb that is very small and unseen but puts off a lot of light.
d. The fixture sits directly under the cabinet and provides down lighting and depending on the quantity the amount of light would change. This source of the light is meant to not be seen.
e. The effect of the light in the space works very well when it is dark in the rest of the space and they are being used for accent lighting or during the day when other lights are on and they are used for completing kitchen tasks.
f. In this particular space the amount of illuminance is appropriate because it does not create a glare on the white counter tops but instead uses them to reflect light into the space. It has never appeared to be a problem.
g. I don’t think that any improvements need to be made on this lighting situation because they have never caused a problem. It depends on the wattage of bulb that we choose to put in the fixture.


Space 3: High-Intensity Discharge

a. The purpose of the space is a parking garage for a university.
b. The purpose of the lighting is to provide light to each of the dark levels of the garage because it is harder for daylight to creep into these spaces. The lighting appeared to be ambient and uniform through out.
c. The lamps appear to be high-intensity discharge lights that are extremely bright when in extreme proximity to them.
d. The fixtures themselves are small square luminaries that put off a large amount of light. The bulb itself is not exposed but with the cover a lot of light is still transmitted.
e. The effect of the light in the space is helpful in that is provides sufficient light to the entire parking deck. There did not appear to be any other areas that were more lit than others.
f. Because the bulbs are high-intensity the illuminance level is high because the bulbs have to work harder to light more area especially when it is dark and there is no other light assisting.
g. My suggestions for the lighting in this space would to have more fixtures because compared to other parking decks they appear to be better lit and have the feel to be safer. Just by observing during the day it did not seem that the number of fixtures would be enough.



Space 4: LED

a. Although not a space, the actual lamp source is a flashlight
b. The purpose of the fixture is a flashlight used in dark situations and space for providing light to function.
c. The lamp is a single LED bulb, approximately the size of the point of a pen that by itself can distract a great amount of light.
d. The luminaire provides direct lighting, allowing the light to only come out of one side. It is powered typically by batteries and is a handheld fixture.
e. The effect of the lighting source is a cone-shaped beam and or a small example of a spotlight. This particular flashlight is highly observed with the blue side of the spectrum.
f. The appropriateness of the lighting fixture is satisfactory but can be difficult when handling by your self. A luminaire this small can only put off so much light so large and detailed tasks are not as desirable with this source in mind.
g. I particularly like sources that are more yellow than blue. I find this LED overpowering and overwhelming. It is almost too blue. My suggestions would be to tone it down some and possible find a way to emit more light than is currently occurring. If this is not obtainable then possibly widen the cone shape beam to provide more light coverage at a closer distance.