Towards the third stage of the lighting profession

Abstract

The notion of stages of the lighting profession is examined to identify the main themes that have directed the objectives of the lighting profession. It is proposed that the objective of the first stage was provision of uniform illumination over a horizontal plane, and that of the second stage has been to provide illuminance suited to human need, based on visual performance. This brings us up to the current era, and it is the author’s opinion that the second stage has failed to achieve its objective. While codes and standards pay lip service to visual performance, the reality is that for the vast majority of situations where lighting standards are applied, the aim is to meet user expectations for the spaces they occupy to appear adequately lit. The metrics currently used to specify, measure, and calculate lighting levels are inappropriate for this purpose. The concept of mean room surface exitance is proposed as a basis for lighting standards. Procedures for calculation and measurement lead to some startling conclusions. Familiar notions of lighting effectiveness and efficiency are turned upside down, and an entirely different way of thinking about interior lighting design is revealed. The essential difference is a switch from assessing light incident on planes to assessing light arriving at the eye. Such a change of thinking may be seen as a precursor for the third stage of the lighting profession.