Using light to make the most of the dark
Subtlety, texture and reflection are all key components in illuminating the exterior world.
OUTDOOR lighting is often an after-thought but it can make or break a space, says lighting designer Diego Sa´ ez Ibarza´ bal.
The Spanish-born architect and qualified lighting designer has focused on the latter for the past 15 years, seven of them in New Zealand.
Through his business, Inlucem, he combines his experience to create atmosphere in both indoor and outdoor setting in commercial and residential spaces.
With a true passion for light, he says coming across landscaped or wellplanned outdoor areas where lighting hasn’t been considered is his worst nightmare.
‘‘So often people do it wrong. They may have landscaped but not thought about lighting and it is lighting that gives you the soul, it gives you an experience, an atmosphere.’’
Too often outdoor spaces are overlit, he says. Lights on steps shine into peoples’ eyes, movement detectors flick on and do the same, and as a result, the eyes get stunned.
‘‘Light should work in harmony with architecture, enhancing its features and enriching people’s experience, you have to be gentle with the eyes.’’
Less is more when it comes to outdoor lighting, says Diego, and there are two concepts that must be considered:
❏ Reflection – which takes into account that we see objects because light is reflected. ❏ Contrast – the eye doesn’t need quantity of light, but quality.
Those concepts, along with the inclusion of three main elements, will ensure success, says Diego.
The first element is surface, which means aiming light at a surface, not into the human eye.
‘‘The eye is like a camera, it takes in all the elements of the picture. If you can see a spotlight or light source the retina will close and activate the brain because it’s too bright, but if you aim that light source down then the eye will open and take in more.
‘‘So light needs to reflect those surfaces, whether it’s a path, a wall, a tree – you can play with the texture and volume,’’ he says.
‘‘It will change the atmosphere immensely, you will see everything.’’
The light source itself is the second element, and it must be subtle, not exposed or aimed at the eyes.
‘‘Again, be gentle with the eye – hide the light source from direct visual contact, it will allow the eye to see better and more.
‘‘Use soft angles, or accent lighting, and different light elements to provide different lighting effects, such as uplighters, spotlights, step lights and gral lights.’’
The last element is the human eye that picks out all the surface details of things.
‘‘Think about how you really see a surface.
‘‘If you install a spotlight that shines straight into your eyes it’s harsher on the eye. But if you hide that light source and give off reflected light then the eye will see more.’’
Diego gives the example of using a narrow-beam spotlight aimed upwards to light up a cabbage tree, or a wide beam spotlight to wash light over rocks or flaxes, minimising any visual contact with the light fitting.
‘‘The only thing that you see is the light reflected in the tree, the light source is hidden but you see far more,’’ he says.
It’s the same when it comes to lighting the likes of outdoor steps, driveways, decks, and fences.
‘‘You don’t need spotlights mounted on the side of houses which stun you when they come on, lights on steps where the light source is exposed is far too much for the eye, and doesn’t actually allow you to see the steps, it blinds you.’’