Illuminating facades can transform a daylight view into something magical at night-time. A regular building can turn into a captivating architectural structure creating a timeless impact for the look of the building. It can add another dimension to your design, and when done correctly, it can offer breathtaking night-time views.

As one of the most important elements in exterior lighting design, there are many factors to consider when lighting for façades:

  • Identity & Aesthetics
  • Society & Economy
  • Safety & Security
  • Sustainability

Identity & Aesthetics
Well designed façade lighting can accentuate the architectural characteristics and provide a remarkable first impression of the building. With façade lighting, a building that looks normal during the day can alter into a piece of art during the night. The interplay of light and shade can emphasise the distinctive architectural details and create a dramatic look to bring life to your outdoor space. Personality can be created through the combination of colour and lighting techniques to convey a building’s identity or brand. You can even go as far as to use your brand’s corporate colours to define who’s building it is, making your mark on the city.

Society & Economy
A city can offer many social and economical values at night. With many of us seeking entertainment and embracing night-time activities, places with good façade lighting can entice tourists to spend time and money at those premises. This provides economical benefits that can grow new businesses, developments and residential housing to an attractive location. With the introduction of LED, exterior lighting is now an affordable way to dramatically increase a buildings prominence within the street, neighbourhood or area.

Safety & Security

Façades that are illuminated make people feel safer as they navigate through the night. It can discourage vandalism and create a more inviting space that’s visible from a distance. By implementing lighting techniques such as horizontal and vertical lighting, façade lighting can increase the sense of safety for everyone. Vibrancy is an important part of facade light design, when activated in the right areas vibrant lighting offers safety and encourages activity late into the night. Whereas in residential areas consideration should be given to light levels. Artificial light can negatively affect residents by intrusively spilling into apartments or houses. This overexposure can impact health by disrupting circadian rhythms and disturbing sleep patterns. Well planned façade lighting that considers the surrounding areas, zones, architectural elements of the buildings and vibrancy will provide a safe and pleasant space for all.

Sustainability

Light pollution is a modern-age climate issue, it affects cities across the world. With social and technological changes, the demand for sustainable lighting is becoming a crucial element in all aspects of our work. Façade lighting tends to produce large quantities of unnecessary luminance and when done inadequately can add to negative impacts on the environment. Light fittings with dimmable or smart control options allows us to conserve energy and prevent light pollution. Setting certain times the lights will be turned on based on the seasons or changing the light intensity, will help to minimise energy consumption. Cities are also using facade lighting as part of their overall strategy to provide more uniform light to increase security and energy efficiency.

Want some expert advice?

Our experienced team of lighting designers can provide lighting solutions for your next project. We offer an extensive range of exterior lighting options. Whether it’s decorative wall lights, ground recessed up lights or floodlights, these luminaires can be used to illuminate your outdoor space whilst maximising energy efficiency. Contact your local LPA representative today to discuss you next exterior project.