Date : 2023-09-05 Publisher :

How to Choose Light Sources for Hotels and Resorts

Hotels and hotels are usually divided into business and tourism vacation types. Business hotels are usually located in economically developed cities and receive business travelers, highlighting functions such as office work, meetings, and business banquets; Tourist vacation hotels are usually located in tourist attractions, highlighting their vacation and leisure functions. But this distinction is relative, and their functions often intersect with each other; In addition, from the perspective of architectural characteristics, the various types of spaces divided based on functions inside and outside the hotel are generally the same. For example, compared to the Emmy Hotel in Hong Kong Cyberport and the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou, although they have very different characteristics, they both have a reception lobby, which is a Portman style space, with various types of rooms, Chinese and Western restaurants, and multifunctional halls. So, from the perspective of hotel lighting design, their commonalities are basically the same.

1.1 Warm white light sources should be widely used, with a color temperature of around 3000K. The reason for this is that no matter what type of hotel, creating a friendly, warm, and friendly atmosphere should be their common pursuit. The lighting environment provided by a color temperature of 3000K can strengthen the characteristics of the liquor.

(1) Based on the study of human visual perception of temperature and space in colors, colors with a hue bias towards orange yellow are compared with colors with a hue bias towards blue purple. When compared at the same time, orange yellow makes people feel warm and close to us; Based on memory, when continuously comparing the colors mentioned above, the results are also the same.

(2) This perception is closely related to psychological evaluations and emotional activities such as kindness, warmth, and friendliness in terms of deep arousal at the psychological level.

(3) Based on engineering practice, whenever a hotel lighting project is able to fully implement this principle without any interference from various aspects, its effect is very good.

1.2 When the nominal color temperature of the light source is consistent, specific analysis should be conducted on the color of different types of light sources

(1) Just take incandescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps as examples. A nominal 2800K incandescent lamp and a nominal 2850K (or 2700K) compact fluorescent lamp indicate that their color table is generally consistent, but there are still slight differences in the evaluation of light color (color table and light color are still distinguishable) and color perception: due to their different spectral composition, the light emitted by incandescent lamps is similar to cobalt yellow or cadmium yellow in watercolor pigments, with a "loud" and "transparent" tone; The light emitted by compact fluorescent lamps is very similar to earth yellow, with a slightly cloudy color tone.

(2) Therefore, lighting design should choose the type of light source in a targeted manner. Under the same color temperature conditions, it is necessary to comprehensively weigh whether they are energy-saving in terms of luminous flux and average lifespan, whether they are easy to maintain, and the trade-off between light color. Do not use incandescent lamps just because of "green lighting" (I advocate a specific analysis of "green lighting").

(3) For high-end hotels, energy-saving and easy maintenance are undoubtedly important. For example, the average lifespan of a good compact fluorescent lamp can reach 10000 hours (while incandescent lamps are only one tenth of it). Although the hotel eliminates the cost of replacing bulbs, it sacrifices "pure light color".

(4) As for the issues of energy conservation and extending the lifespan of light bulbs, based on the current situation in China, a large part of them can be solved through intelligent control systems that adjust lighting in a timely manner, similar to the Bank of China headquarters building, in combination with natural lighting and customer activity requirements for brightness. Of course, there are many energy-saving methods, but they are beyond the scope of this article.

1.3 Pay special attention to the relationship between color temperature and illuminance. Utilize the matching relationship between illuminance and color temperature to create a suitable spatial atmosphere in detail. Generally speaking, color temperature and illumination should be matched in a positive proportion, i.e. high illumination, high color temperature, and vice versa. The habit of lighting design in domestic hotels is often to have high color temperatures but generally low illumination levels, often leading to a "gloomy" atmosphere. This should be given sufficient attention in future design practices.

1.4 If direct lighting can be used, indirect lighting will not be used. The light trough is currently widely used in various commercial space lighting, and even some are rampant. With the development of manufacturing technology for electric light sources and lighting fixtures, using direct lighting can already avoid the harm of uncomfortable glare to vision. Therefore, unless decorative requirements are met, do not use various types of light emitting slots that are severely wasteful and inconvenient to maintain.

1.5 Use a light source with the same color temperature to avoid disorderly light colors in the same functional area, surface, and object. Use a light source with a consistent color temperature to ensure a uniform color tone in the light environment. In terms of hotel lighting design, as the emphasis is not on conflict and drama, a unified color tone is the only way to meet the characteristics of the hotel. We have noticed that some interior design companies in China still have many problems in this regard. For example, the Chimelong Hotel project is very good in other aspects, but there are still some lighting issues: some guest rooms use cold white light sources; Some guest rooms have both warm white and cold white light sources, which makes people feel very uncomfortable.

1.6 Choose lighting fixtures with high luminous efficiency

(1) Choose lighting fixtures with optimized design parameters and high luminous efficiency. We often encounter situations where the nominal total luminous flux of the light source was originally very high, but due to the use of lamps with low luminous output efficiency, the theoretical calculated illuminance value differs significantly from the actual measured result using an illuminometer after completion.

(2) It is recommended to entrust a unit with relevant testing equipment to conduct testing when there is doubt about the efficiency parameters and light distribution curve parameters provided by the lamp manufacturer.

1.7 Choose an appropriate light distribution for the room to air ratio of different functional areas of the wine point, and distinguish the light distribution, center light intensity, and half light intensity parameters of the light distribution curve to avoid two aspects of light flux loss.

(1) For example, the wine bar lobby is usually located in the podium of a building, and the ceiling is usually very high. It is common to have a height of more than 6 meters. Choosing lighting fixtures with narrow beam angles and long projection distance can prevent the upper part from being very bright, while the brightness of the ground and people's activity areas 1 meter above the ground is insufficient;

(2) On the contrary, if such lighting is used in areas with low ceilings such as guest rooms, it will lead to problems such as bright floors and insufficient vertical illumination. The following two figures show a comparison of the light distribution between PAR38/80W/beam angle 120 and PAR56/300W/beam angle 400.

1.8 The more advanced the hotel, the higher the color rendering index of the light source

(1) The color rendering of light sources is generally evaluated using the CIE color rendering index, which evaluates the differences in color display between the evaluated light source and the standard light source (all shaded sky light) for more than 10 color samples, including human skin color. Generally speaking, the higher the Ra of a light source, the better its color rendering.

(2) However, it should be pointed out that because Ra takes the average value of the color sample, although some light sources have a high color rendering index, they may not perform well on a specific color. This should be taken seriously in hotel lighting design.

(3) In domestic lighting standards and design practices, color rendering has always been given little attention, and it is usually emphasized that high color rendering index light sources are only needed in places with color discrimination requirements. Actually, it is not the case. In places where people have more contact with each other, especially hotels, it is very important for guests to show a healthy skin color.

(4) In addition, light sources with good color rendering performance can have lower illuminance than those with poor color rendering performance under the same conditions. This is not to say that color rendering can replace a portion of illumination, but rather that people should feel clearer.

The key issues of hotel lighting go far beyond the above. This article only discusses what the author believes is a prominent issue in current lighting design practice, for the consideration and discussion of lighting design colleagues.

2. Lighting variable design for functional areas

Hotel Lighting

2.1 Lobby Space

The lobby space mainly consists of three parts of lighting areas, namely the lighting for the entrance and lobby areas, the lighting for the service desk, and the lighting for the guest lounge area. From the perspective of the lobby as a continuous whole and the lighting method, in fact, the entrance and lobby should be the general lighting or global lighting of the lobby, while the service desk lighting and guest lounge lighting are local lighting. These lighting should maintain consistency in color temperature, and the lighting of the three areas should be contrasted through brightness to create an interesting, continuous, and undulating transition between light and dark in the hotel lobby, which is not a friendly scale space, and to create a friendly atmosphere as a whole.

(1) Entering the door and lobby. Illumination requirements: On a horizontal plane 1m above the ground, the designed illumination should reach 500Lux. Color temperature requirement: around 3000K. If the color temperature is too low, the space feels cramped. If the color temperature is too high, the space lacks familiarity and is noisy, directly reducing the guest's sense of comfort. Color rendering requirement: Ra>85. High color rendering ability, able to clearly display the skin color and various expressions of the receptionist and guests, leaving a deep and satisfactory impression on the guests.

Regarding light distribution: If the height exceeds 6m, a point light source combined with a narrow beam illuminator is used on the ceiling to provide continuous and uniform brightness. Due to the fact that the luminous point is not within the range of human vision, the lamp can be open. Assuming the distance from the ceiling to the ground is 6m, the central light intensity of its light distribution curve should not be less than 500cd at a distance of 1m from the ground; If the height jump does not exceed 6 meters, it can be considered to use a strip or surface shaped illuminated ceiling for treatment. Comparing light and shadow for shaping: Drawing on the experience of lighting design in European and American hotels, it can be considered in the future to design projection lights at different angles in the entrance and lobby areas. If the direction of the hotel entrance is taken as the vertical axis, then side lights can be designed at both ends of the horizontal axis, and the ceiling can be angled towards the entrance area. This helps to express the physical form of hotel receptionists, luggage handlers, and guests, forming a three-dimensional sense. This kind of hotel lighting should be very high-end.

(2) Service desk. Illumination requirements: Generally, a higher brightness of 750-1000Lux is chosen to highlight the importance of the main service desk and quickly guide guests' gaze towards it. In addition, it also facilitates the rapid processing of receptionist registration and settlement work. Color temperature requirement: around 3000K, consistent with the entrance lobby, further enhancing the friendly atmosphere. Color rendering requirement: Ra>85.

On the one hand, it is because the guests and receptionists have close contact at the service desk, requiring a healthy skin color; On the other hand, it is necessary to clearly identify the various documents required.

(3) Guest rest area. Illumination requirements: Generally 300-500Lux.

If the illumination is too high, people's behavior will be unstable, and if the illumination is too low, people's behavior will be too lazy. Color temperature requirement: around 3000K. Color rendering requirement: Ra>85

2.2 Restaurant Space

Hotel Lighting

The restaurant space is an important lighting area for hotels. Generally, hotels usually have Chinese style restaurants and Western style restaurants. Due to differences in functionality and usage, these two types of restaurants need to be treated separately in lighting design.

(1) Chinese restaurant: commonly used for formal banquets in business or other areas, the overall atmosphere of lighting should be formal and friendly. Its general lighting level is much higher than that of Western restaurants; The illumination should be uniform, with minimal emotional fluctuations caused by brightness contrast; Point light sources, strip light sources, or various types of flower lamps can all meet good lighting requirements; In order to make the quality and color tones of the dishes appear vivid and attractive, in order to arouse appetite, the lighting of the dining table top is the key point. It is best to use a high color rendering light source to set up key lighting above the dining table. If key lighting cannot be provided above each dining table, the general lighting value of the restaurant should be designed higher. In addition, high attention should be paid to the lighting distribution to make the lighting more three-dimensional. In the practice of restaurant lighting design, we use wall lamps or several floodlights to correct the planarization of general lighting and strengthen the reproduction of human body, especially facial expressions and contours, by lighting.

Illuminance requirements: The illuminance for general lighting is set at 200Lux, and for key lighting is set at 300Lux. As a supplementary side light, the beam of the light source can be used to reach the illuminated object, with a central light intensity of about 150cd. Color temperature requirement: around 3000K, and uniform coordination of light and color is required. Color rendering requirement: Ra>90.

(2) Western style restaurants: Western style restaurants are commonly used for informal business gatherings or dining places where diners have familiar and close relationships, so the overall atmosphere of their lighting should be warm and full of emotional appeal; The illumination value of its general lighting is much lower than that of Chinese style restaurants; In addition, due to the informal nature of dining, it does not require illumination of people's faces and expressions; But the key lighting on the dining table and tabletop still needs to make the dishes vivid and bright, and make it easy for diners to access, so its color rendering is very important.

Illuminance requirements: The illuminance for general lighting is 50-100Lux, and for key lighting is 100-150Lux. If there is side light, the beam of the light source can be used to reach the illuminated object, with a central light intensity of about 50cd. Color temperature requirement: around 3000K, and uniform coordination of light and color is required. Color rendering requirement: Ra>90.

2.3 Guest Room Space

Hotel Lighting

Hotel rooms should be like home, with a typical tone of tranquility, comfort, and friendliness. (1) Illumination requirements: Generally, the lighting should be 50-100 Lux, and the illumination in the guest room should be lower to reflect the characteristics of tranquility, rest, and even laziness; But local lighting, such as the lighting in front of the dressing mirror and the reading lighting at the bedside, should provide sufficient illumination, and these areas can have an illumination value of 300Lux; The most overlooked aspect is the writing lighting on the office desk. Currently, few hotels provide writing desk lights (usually replaced by decorative desk lights) to guests. As for the hotels I have stayed in, only the Sunshine Hotel in Shenzhen has such lighting, which is a very user-friendly lighting consideration. (2) Color temperature requirement: around 3000K.

Use a light source below 3500K in the bedroom and a light source above 3500K in the bathroom. Warm colors are required in the bedroom, and high color temperatures are required in the restroom to show cleanliness and freshness. (3) Color rendering requirement: Ra>90. Good color rendering ability can increase customers' confidence and feel comfortable.

Hotels and hotels are usually divided into business and tourism vacation types. Business hotels are usually located in economically developed cities and receive business travelers, highlighting functions such as office work,