A study of optical properties of various materials as a tool in the process for designing a luminaire

Sammanfattning: Overlooking the important role materials, in relation to light, have in interior design and architecture is not so uncommon. However, materials are not only important for understanding light in architecture, but also in product design since all objects within a space contribute to its visual character and spatial appearance. This study investigates differences in optical properties of a selection of materials often found in Scandinavian domestic environments. It also explores and discusses the main question of how, in the process of designing a luminaire, product and lighting designers could make use of the visual quality differences between the selected materials, and when put in a spatial context how their properties can be used as a tool to create different lighting scenarios. In order to answer the main question, the study applied a practical approach including a small scale and full-scale laboratory, in which the investigation was based on testing and experimenting with light and material and where qualitative and quantitative aspects were observed, measured, and consolidated.