Lighting Design Glossary

Indirect Lighting

(Term of lighting design)

Lighting provided by reflection usually from wall or celiling surfaces. In daylighting, this means that the light coming from the sky or the sun is reflected on a surface of high reflectivity like a wall, a window sill or a special redirecting device. In electrical lighting the luminaires are suspended from the ceiling or wall mounted and distribute light mainly upwards so it gets reflected off the ceiling or the walls.

Advantages:

• Creates a soft, undisturbing environment suitable for concentrated work or viewing paintings or drawings.
• Reflective glare on computer monitors can be controlled more easily.
• Displays human faces advantageously for social gatherings.
• Can be installed without disturbing the ceiling surface (eg. in historical buildings or a painted ceiling).

Disadvantages:

• It can be disturbing if the ceiling is the brightest surface in a room.
• Makes it difficult to recognise details on three dimensional objects.
• There is very little contrast in the room which can be boring.
• Not very energy effective.

Alternative lighting patterns are direct lighting and mixed direct/indirect lighting.