Lighting plays a pivotal role in the performance of various elements within any space and is of utmost importance. Choosing the right and principled lighting can make the intended environment appealing and functional, or conversely, have a negative impact on its use. Now, we aim to examine the role of lighting in educational spaces. Generally, one of the goals of lighting in educational environments is to provide sufficient visual space for students and instructors or trainers, which can be a significant factor for proper and principled learning.
Educational spaces are usually divided into different categories, including schools, universities, libraries, kindergartens, and anywhere individuals need to focus for learning new materials. It is noteworthy that while the general principles of lighting in university classrooms and schools may be the same, the details differ. On the other hand, lighting in libraries and kindergartens is also carried out with their specific rules and principles. In this article, we will generally discuss lighting in educational places. Stay with Chique Lighting.
Lighting in educational facilities can be achieved through various lamps and lights, but the use of natural light or daylight can play a significant role in the design of educational spaces and should be considered. If daylight is utilized correctly, it can create a soothing environment and also foster visual tranquility.
Lighting in Educational Spaces – The Classroom
One of the primary senses that must be catered to in a classroom is sight, which leads to the reception of information from the environment. Therefore, attention to the lighting of the space is crucial. Whether in universities or schools, classrooms are places where individuals should be able to easily use their sense of sight and focus to process and learn new material. Perhaps one aspect that has been overlooked in schools is the provision of adequate lighting for each classroom, even though it is essential and contributes to improving human performance in an environment.
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Typically, white lights are used in classrooms to increase individuals’ concentration and prevent drowsiness. Indeed, the brightness level and the color temperature of the room’s light can affect people’s mood and disposition, thereby enhancing individual performance. Increasing the brightness level in educational environments reduces drowsiness and directly impacts individual performance.
In the past, and perhaps even now in some parts of our country, lighting in classrooms has not received adequate attention, with reliance on a single point of light or a solitary light source to illuminate the space. However, both in corridors and classrooms, it’s essential to utilize a continuous light distribution pattern. The presence of lamps or light panels that provide uniform light distribution can save energy and, simultaneously, emit even light without causing glare in the environment.
Lighting in Educational Spaces – Libraries and Study Halls
In the lighting of libraries or study halls, the choice of light color and intensity is of great importance. Proper lighting can make a space appear larger or smaller. The lighting of libraries can be achieved in various ways, for example, by focusing lighting on walls and corners of the environment, which can make the surroundings appear brighter than the center, thereby making it seem larger.
Another approach involves using uniform ceiling lights, which evenly illuminate the environment and can even make the space appear larger.
Alternatively, sometimes you might try to conceal a structural issue in a part of the library to divert visitors’ attention away from it. In such cases, lighting can be used to draw people’s focus to other areas.
In designing library spaces, natural light can be considered based on the qualitative differences and functional uses of the intended space. Concepts such as size, location, shape, the number of light inlets, windows, and the amount of light entering the library are all important factors in library lighting.
Lighting in Educational Spaces – Kindergarten
Light plays a significant role in the interior decoration of kindergartens and the morale of children. Regarding the needs of children, it’s important to consider that different parts of this space can have various lighting setups. For example, the play area for children can be illuminated with colorful or warm lights, while areas designated for learning or conducting group or individual activities, such as drawing, can be lit with white light.
In kindergarten spaces, an area is often designated for children to rest or sleep, which should ideally be illuminated with warm lights that have a higher light temperature. Another important consideration in the lighting design of educational spaces for kindergartens is ensuring that the lighting sources do not pose any danger to children.
Choosing the Right Light Color in Lighting for Educational Spaces
Selecting the appropriate light color for different surfaces is of great importance. For instance, bright light colors usually make the environment appear uniform and are among the best options for lighting educational spaces. However, excessive use of bright colors may not yield an appealing result. In educational environments like art rooms, where the color spectrum is of high importance, it is necessary to use light sources with a color rendering index (CRI) of over 75.
To provide the necessary lighting in educational environments, various light sources can be used, including lamps and LED panels, fluorescent lamps, and the newer SMD LED panels. Utilizing LED technology can offer higher efficiency and also contribute to energy savings.
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Factors Influencing the Selection of Suitable Lights for Lighting Educational Spaces
After determining the required level of brightness and conducting the necessary calculations, it is essential to consider other factors in selecting the lights mentioned earlier. These factors include glare and light reflection, shadows and colors, ceiling height, the position and orientation of desks, the location of the blackboard or educational board, the position and proximity of windows to each other, and other elements.
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To properly and fundamentally light an educational environment, it is first necessary to assess all spaces, then select the required lighting based on the environment’s use. If you need to purchase lighting equipment for educational spaces or want to know the prices of lights for educational environments, contact Light Home experts.