{"id":40184,"date":"2018-03-02T09:45:23","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T14:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/?p=40184"},"modified":"2022-03-04T08:57:03","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T13:57:03","slug":"surface-mounted-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/architizer.com\/blog\/product-guides\/product-guide\/surface-mounted-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"An Architect’s Guide To: Surface Mounted Lighting"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Surface mounted light fixtures have been a staple piece of design for decades. Their immense strength lies in their flexibility, since they can be installed in almost any space without dramatically altering the ceiling, and are available in endless shapes and sizes. <\/span><\/p>\n

This week, Architizer spoke to Matt Schroeder of <\/span>Delta Light<\/span><\/a>. According to Schroeder, when it comes to architectural lighting, \u201csurface mounted fixtures are typically used when there\u2019s low plenum,\u201d which describes the space between the structural ceiling and the dropdown ceiling, \u201cor when there is an exposed ceiling made from a concrete slab.\u201d In these cases, it is often impossible to integrate recessed fixtures.<\/span><\/p>\n

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NUR Ceiling Light by Artemide<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cAlthough there are exceptions to this rule, in good lighting design, you\u2019d typically prefer to have a recessed product in lieu of a surface mounted product,\u201d said Schroeder. Recessed products make for a much cleaner look. \u201cExceptions might be traditional architecture \u2014 French Renaissance, for example \u2014 where you are looking to have a surface mounted product that sculpturally matches the space,\u201d said Schroeder. In modern spaces where minimalism is not such a priority, surface mounted fixtures can serve as a visual focal point.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Naramata Cabin<\/a> by Robert Bailey Interiors<\/a>; Lighting by Delta Light<\/a>, Bocci<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Prandina<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Surface Mounted Lighting Systems<\/h2>\n

All of the following types of light fixtures follow the same type of mounting technique and can be broadly defined as surface mounted lighting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pendant Mounted: <\/b>A pendant light<\/a> is a fixture that is suspended from the ceiling by a cord, chain or metal rod. Less bulky and often more affordable than chandeliers, pendant lighting has become a popular choice among architects across diverse typologies. According to Schroeder, \u201cpendant lighting makes up 80-90% of the surface mounted products sold at Delta Light.\u201d For more information on pendant mounted lighting, check out <\/span>An Architect\u2019s Guide To: Pendant Lighting<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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BIG<\/a> by Vibia<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Ceiling Mounted: <\/b>Ceiling mounted lights<\/a> can be categorized into flush mounted and semi-flush mounted. A flush mounted light has no gap between the ceiling and the fixture, as pictured above. Semi-flush mounted lights are very similar, however they have a small gap between the ceiling and the fixture, which makes it similar to a pendant light, without hanging quite as low. Both flush and semi-flush mounted lights are good for creating ambient lighting and are highly appropriate in instances with low ceilings, since they do not take up a lot of space.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Scotch Club by Marset<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Wall Mounted: <\/b>Sometimes referred to as a sconce<\/a>, this type of lighting is affixed to the wall, and can be used to cast upward, downward or diffuse light. Today, wall mounted lights are commonly harnessed for exterior illumination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Track Mounted: <\/b>With track mounted lighting<\/a>,<\/span>\u00a0said\u00a0Schroeder<\/span>, \u201cyou pull a wire out from the ceiling, connect it to the fixture and snap it into place. The fixture acts as a horizontal extension of the electrical signal,\u201d said Schroeder. Track mounted lighting can provide general or focused, task lighting.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Roomin.be by Sofie Vertongen; Image via Delta Light<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Components<\/h2>\n

Surface mounted lighting products have many of the same elements as <\/span>recessed products<\/span><\/a> \u2014 the main difference is that they\u2019re mounted onto the surface of the ceiling or wall, rather than housed within it. <\/span>Similar to pendant and recessed lighting, there is not always good or consistent nomenclature in the complex world of lighting. However, a few key terms to look out for in your product search are: <\/span><\/p>\n

Fixture: <\/b>The fixture is the shell that holds the light, and is typically made from aluminum, steel or brass. Because the fixture is the portion of the light that is visible, it will drive the aesthetic composition of your surface mounted light. <\/span><\/p>\n

Heat Sink:<\/b> Although LED lights are lauded for being cool to the touch, they still produce heat that must be conducted or dissipated away, in order to ensure the longevity of the product. Typically made from copper or aluminum, heat sinks are an important part of LED surface mounted products as they provide a path for heat to travel from the LED light source (or diode) to outside elements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diode: <\/b>The diode is the chip that produces the light. With advancements in LED technology, diodes are becoming smaller and smaller, which presents new design opportunities for architects. \u201cI\u2019ve seen LED tape only a quarter of the size of a nail file, that produces enough light to act as the sole light source for an entire space,\u201d said Schroeder. <\/span><\/p>\n

Optics: <\/b>Similar to recessed lighting, optics modify the light that is emitted from the diode by adjusting the beam or softening the glare. <\/span><\/p>\n

Driver: <\/b>Sometimes referred to as the power supply, the driver is<\/span> the \u201cmagic box that transforms electricity from main voltage into whatever the fixture itself requires. If you run 120 volts to LEDs, for example, they\u2019re going to explode.\u201d Lighting manufacturers will be able to direct you towards an appropriate power supply, depending on the fixture that you select.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tight Light by Flos<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Aesthetics<\/h2>\n

With surface mounted lighting, explained Schroeder, \u201cit\u2019s about picking the form and finish that the architect likes and that matches the space, and then putting the lights in the right location to achieve the best effect.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finish: <\/b>No matter what type of surface mounted lighting you are working with, common finishes include painted, powder-coated and metal-plated. For further inspiration, take a look at Architizer\u2019s collection, <\/span>More Than Surface Deep: 5 Lighting Fixtures That Truly Stand Out<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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La Maison des T\u00eates<\/a> by f+f architectes<\/a>; Lighting by Bocci<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

Light Distribution:<\/b> Some surface mounted fixtures come with a variety of optical options that allow you to control how light is distributed.<\/span><\/p>\n