Building facades

A lit facade should read as architecture first and as light second. The work starts with the building: which planes, edges and textures define it, and which should stay dark to give the lit parts depth.

Approaches we use most

• Wall washing, luminaires set back from the wall give an even plane of light. Good for smooth render and panels.
• Grazing, luminaires tight to the wall at a low angle reveal texture in stone, brick and timber.
• Contour lighting, linear luminaires along cornices and edges draw the silhouette of the building.
• Accent and crown lighting, floodlights pick out towers, signage zones and roof features.

Keeping it controlled

Light that misses the facade is wasted and often unwelcome. We choose narrow or asymmetric optics, shields where fixtures are visible, and colour temperatures that suit the material. For mixed-use buildings, scenes are usually set to dim or switch off after a set hour.

Typical luminaires

Linear wall washers do most of the work, with floodlights for crowns and point lights where the design calls for rhythm or animation.