New concept of museum lighting design
"Safety", "Revivification" and "Comfort"
"Safety", "Revivification" and "Comfort"
The important subjects of museum lighting design are how to provide rich content of the exhibition and create a good visual light environment, and protect the exhibits and reduce radiation damage. The design concept of safety, revivification and comfort should be adhered in the design of museum lighting, on the basic principle of better protection of exhibits, creating vital, vivid and optimized lighting effect, revivify the historical culture.
"Safety" is the basis premise of exhibition
Exhibits are the core of all behaviors of the museum. All process centers around the precious exhibits. How to secure a unique rare and precious exhibit becomes the primary task of the museum lighting designer. In the museum lighting design, lighting technology must prioritize the contradiction between safe protection and better revivification on the exhibits.
There are 3 points about lighting safety in museum lighting design. The first is the mechanical safety. There should be no risk of falling during the installation and disassembly. The second is the electrical safety. Luminaires are electric carriers, electrical safety standards must be obeyed. The third is the light safety, ray radiation, illumination level, light exposure are harmful to the exhibits.
There are 3 points about lighting safety in museum lighting design. The first is the mechanical safety. There should be no risk of falling during the installation and disassembly. The second is the electrical safety. Luminaires are electric carriers, electrical safety standards must be obeyed. The third is the light safety, ray radiation, illumination level, light exposure are harmful to the exhibits.
1. Safety
Culture relics preservation
Culture relics preservation
How to secure a unique rare and precious exhibit becomes the primary task of the museum exhibition. In the museum lighting design, lighting technology must prioritize the contradiction between safe protection and better revivification on the exhibits; at the same time, create a comfortable visual environment.
Strict annual total exposure control
International museum association requires well match between the illuminance value and the color temperature. When higher illuminance value is requested, it is better to apply higher color temperature; and vice versa. AKZU LED museum lighting fixtures adopt the LEDs with color temperature controlled within the scope of three MacAdam, which is more closer to the standard light source, thus ensures high consistency of the light color.
Professional museum grade LED chips guarantee the safe presentation for valuable cultural relics and artworks
Ultraviolet and infrared radiation would accelerate the aging and damage of the cultural relics. AKZU adopts the museum grade LEDs to minimize light damage to light-sensitive exhibits with optimal lighting efficiency, providing superior and safe lighting solutions for museums.
Prevention on thermal effect from the infrared ray
The infrared radiation makes the temperature rise on the exhibit's surface, accelerates the thermal expansion and contracting, the aging, increases drying degree, makes the material fragile, which may lead to the occurrence of warping and cracking on the surface of exhibits. The museum lighting designer must avoid infrared radiation to protect the exhibits.
Incandescent lamp
Lamp withinfrared ray transmission speculum
Lamp with infrared ray absorption film
Metal halide lamp
High voltage sodium lamp
Sunlight
Prevention on chemical effect from the ultraviolet ray
The existence of the ultraviolet ray causes the chemical effect on the exhibits' surface, like aging, fading, color changing, qualitative changing, etc., and these damages are not recoverable through protection measures. According to IESNA96, for museum lighting design, the recommended maximum UV content in lamp is 75μW/lm; and CIE2003 recommends 10μ W/lm.
Incandescent Lamp
UV (uW/lm)
UV (%)
Solution
2800K
standard illuminant A
standard illuminant A
75
1.7
UV optical glass
2950K 500W
78
1.8
UV optical glass
3360K 100W
130
3.4
UV optical glass
Fluorescent lamp
UV (uW/lm)
UV (%)
Solution
Solution
Solution
3500K
53
1.7
UV optical glass
4500K
72
1.7
UV optical glass
Metal halide lamp
UV (uW/lm)
UV (%)
Solution
ANSI 400W
330
9.0
UV optical glass
ANSI 250W
630
16.0
UV optical glass
Summer + Glass
UV (uW/lm)
UV (%)
Solution
Sunlight thru. glass
720
17.0
Avoid using
museum grade LED
<10
0
No need
Not sensitive ≤300lx
Metal, stone, glass, ceramics,
most of the ores
most of the ores
Annual exposuer (lx*h)
No restriction
Low sensitive ≤150lx
Oil painting, tempera, murals,
natural leather, wood, horn,
ivory, lacquer, part of the plastic
natural leather, wood, horn,
ivory, lacquer, part of the plastic
Annual exposuer (lx*h)
≤600000
Sensitive ≤150lx
Clothing, watercolor, crayon,
brocade, drawings, photographs, manuscripts,
wallpaper, dyed leather,
fur, feather
brocade, drawings, photographs, manuscripts,
wallpaper, dyed leather,
fur, feather
Annual exposuer (lx*h)
≤150000
High sensitive ≤50lx
Silk, printing
Annual exposuer (lx*h)
≤15000
Illuminance control
For the safety of the exhibits, museum lighting design should pay attention to the possible damage from the light radiation, control strictly also on the illuminance on exhibits.
The application of precise and convenient dimming control devise perfectly solves the problem of different illuminance for different exhibits.
The application of precise and convenient dimming control devise perfectly solves the problem of different illuminance for different exhibits.
Limit on annual exposure
We should limit the annual light exposure on exhibits. Supposing the illuminance level for exhibit is 200lx, and 6 hours weekly lighting time, the annual exposure is 600000lx*h.
The application of DALI intelligent system effectively controls the lighting time of luminaires and makes it more flexible to change the scenes.
The application of DALI intelligent system effectively controls the lighting time of luminaires and makes it more flexible to change the scenes.
"Revivification" create extra value of precious heritage and art.
The exhibits in museums are the important relics for studying the ancient and modern civilization. Every color, craft and detail has immeasurable archaeological value. According to the difference on the lighting quality from diverse luminaires, the exhibit will appear differently in color, which may have big difference from the originals.
Thus, as part of the museum scene, museum lighting design, light should be able to revivify the original color, detail, contrast, acutance, etc., so that the exhibits can truly present the culture and history.
Thus, as part of the museum scene, museum lighting design, light should be able to revivify the original color, detail, contrast, acutance, etc., so that the exhibits can truly present the culture and history.
2. Revivification
Super high color rendering,
accurate color temperature
Super high color rendering,
accurate color temperature
Museum lights with high color rendering index can truly present the appearance of historical relics, color and civilization. In the places, like museums, which have strict requirement on the color differentiation when presenting paintings, colored fabric, multicolor exhibits, etc., light source with color rendering index (Ra) not less than 90 should be adopted.
Direct spot 6°
Spot 16°
Broad flood 47°
Wallwash
Direct spot 9°
Flood 29°
Flood H 54°x24°
Precise light distribution, revivify details of art
There are varieties of exhibits in museums. It is important to design lighting from different angles to achieve the best display effect, maximize the utilization of light. As a museum lighting manufacturer, AKZU, carefully designs accurate optical solutions, from narrow beam effect to wall wash effect, etc. All kinds of light shapes flexibly collocate and well outline the details of exhibits and make them as vivid as life.
High color rendering light
Generally speaking, for lighting design, especially museum lighting design, museum light with Ra not less than 90 should be applied for exhibits like paintings, colorful fabrics, etc. And for other places with normal requirement on color differentiation, it is recommended to use light source with Ra not less than 80.
The color rendering of light source influences directly on the presentation performance of the color of exhibits. Professional LEDs for museum lighting can equal to the light effect of metal halide light.
The color rendering of light source influences directly on the presentation performance of the color of exhibits. Professional LEDs for museum lighting can equal to the light effect of metal halide light.
Choosing the right color temperature
6500K
Not sensitive
Metal, stone, glass, ceramics,
Most of the ores
Metal, stone, glass, ceramics,
Most of the ores
4000K
Low sensitive
Oil painting, tempera, murals,
natural leather, wood, horn,
ivory, lacquer, part of the plastic
Oil painting, tempera, murals,
natural leather, wood, horn,
ivory, lacquer, part of the plastic
2900K
Sensitive
Clothing, watercolor, crayon,
brocade, drawings, photographs, manuscripts,
wallpaper, dyed leather,
fur, feather
Clothing, watercolor, crayon,
brocade, drawings, photographs, manuscripts,
wallpaper, dyed leather,
fur, feather
In museum lighting design, it is important for portraying the scene, atmosphere, the color and material quality of the exhibits. Generally color temperature of less than 3300k is recommended, at the same time, it is necessary to keep the uniformity of color temperature in the whole space.
With the rapid development of LED technology, LED now has better control on the color difference compared with metal halide lamp and halogen lamp.
With the rapid development of LED technology, LED now has better control on the color difference compared with metal halide lamp and halogen lamp.
Perfect cubic effect
It is often used in the museum lighting design general lighting combined with partial accent lighting. The lighting should reflects the artistic effect of three dimensional effect of the cultural relics, by using different brightness contrast, light and shade collocation, light and shadow combination, and use the light to realize the vitality of cultural relics.
AKZU track lights for museum lighting can provide more than 30 kinds of combination by different angles and power, thus better outline the details of exhibits, and make the exhibition more flexible and convenient.
AKZU track lights for museum lighting can provide more than 30 kinds of combination by different angles and power, thus better outline the details of exhibits, and make the exhibition more flexible and convenient.
"Comfort" improves enjoying experience
The museum has gradually become a common place where people carry out social education and leisure entertainment. Museum architectural lighting design needs to create a comfortable visual lighting environment.
Museum lighting design should avoid dazzling light. It is required also to pay attention to the brightness contrast, light uniformity, etc., and find the most comfortable point of vision from the light and shade, and the luminance balance.
Museum lighting design should avoid dazzling light. It is required also to pay attention to the brightness contrast, light uniformity, etc., and find the most comfortable point of vision from the light and shade, and the luminance balance.
3. Comfort
Suitable lighting distribution, bring comfort visual lighting environment
Suitable lighting distribution, bring comfort visual lighting environment
There are varieties of exhibits in museums. It is important to design lighting from different angles to achieve the best display effect, maximize the utilization of light. As a museum lighting manufacturer, AKZU, carefully designs accurate optical solutions, from narrow beam effect to wall wash effect, etc. All kinds of light shapes flexibly collocate and well outline the details of exhibits and make them as vivid as life.
DALI intelligent lighting control system, not only energy saving but also carefully preserve culture relics
Museum display layout needs a variety of lighting conditions and meets the requirement of different projects. AKZU intelligent control system can switch between different default light environments. AKZU museum lights with DALI function have a strong advantage in museum lighting, they can be programmed, with its high-tech, realize the lighting changes.
Primary reflection ellimination
When visitors are watching the exhibits, there should not be any reflected glare directly from light source, windows or any other surfaces. By adjusting the luminaire layout in the area without reflection interference, glare can be avoided.
AKZU M6, M5 track lights for museum lighting adopts the superior high-end tracks and accessories, can provide flexible installation for different lighting spaces and help to adjust the luminaires to the area without reflection interference, thus to avoid glare.
AKZU M6, M5 track lights for museum lighting adopts the superior high-end tracks and accessories, can provide flexible installation for different lighting spaces and help to adjust the luminaires to the area without reflection interference, thus to avoid glare.
Secondary reflection ellimination
The image created on the varnish (such as cabinet glass or frame glass) from the audience or other items, should not disturbing the audience from watching the exhibits. There should be no light reflection on the viewing direction when audience are watching paintings or other exhibits with luster surface.
AKZU Sprite series adopt Trio optical structure and make the output light more soft and comfortable. With the mini size and flexible angle adjustment, Sprite presents the exhibits more perfectly.
AKZU Sprite series adopt Trio optical structure and make the output light more soft and comfortable. With the mini size and flexible angle adjustment, Sprite presents the exhibits more perfectly.
Uniformity
For planar exhibits in museum design, the ratio of the minimum illuminance to the average illuminance should not be less than 0.8; while for taller than 1.4m planar exhibits, the ratio should not be less than 0.4.
AKZU track lights for museum lighting have special designed Triod optical system, minimize the stray light, largely avoid the glare and make the light more soft.
AKZU track lights for museum lighting have special designed Triod optical system, minimize the stray light, largely avoid the glare and make the light more soft.
Visual adaptation
In museum design, the ratio of exhibits brightness to the background brightness should not be more than 3:1. The area with too high brightness will become a dazzling light source, causing visual difficulties and affecting the appreciation on details. For the area presenting particular light sensitive exhibits, when the overall illuminance is low, visual adaptation should be considered.
The light spot of AKZU track lights for museum lighting on the exhibits has smooth transition effect, and makes the brightness contract more natural between the exhibits and background, thus avoids the uncomfortable feeling from glare.
The light spot of AKZU track lights for museum lighting on the exhibits has smooth transition effect, and makes the brightness contract more natural between the exhibits and background, thus avoids the uncomfortable feeling from glare.
Perfect fit between the luminaires and architecture
Luminaires not only provide the lighting, but also build up the keynote of style of the museum lighting scene. The design of luminaires should be coordinated with the architectural lighting design style and avoid incompatibility with the environment.
The combination of concise industrial design and the world's superior tracks, merging into the lighting design, makes the exhibition illumination more compact, high-end and great.
The combination of concise industrial design and the world's superior tracks, merging into the lighting design, makes the exhibition illumination more compact, high-end and great.
