By Richard D. Falconer CLD, LC, IALD, IES, Senior Lighting Designer at NV5
Lighting design is crucial in shaping the experience and ambiance of a space, whether for a live performance, for the camera, or for an architectural setting. While theatrical lighting and TV/video lighting (also known as specialty lighting,) and architectural lighting both aim to illuminate spaces effectively, they are fundamentally different in their approaches, objectives, and specifications. Although both tell a story of the human experience, they do so from differing perspectives. Understanding these differences helps space designers create environments that meet their intended purposes, whether for artistic expression, reportage, or functional illumination. It is critical to communicate with the Lighting Designer and Audiovisual Designer early in the process to ensure the best approach and to achieve the optimal outcome.
1. Objectives and Purpose
Specialty lighting and architectural lighting serve distinct primary purposes: Specialty
lighting serves to enhance the visual presentation of live performances, such as plays, concerts, dance productions, television productions, and cinematic visual storytelling. Its primary goals are to create mood, focus attention, and support storytelling. This is achieved through dramatic effects, color changes, and dynamic adjustments to highlight different aspects of a performance or presentation. To a certain extent, we expect to see the lighting instruments that create the fantasy, discretely positioned to add to the story rather than subtract.
In contrast, architectural lighting aims to illuminate a space in a way that enhances both its function and aesthetic qualities. Its objectives include improving visibility, highlighting architectural features, and creating a comfortable and visually appealing environment. Architectural lighting must balance aesthetics with practicality, ensuring that the light serves both the functional needs of the space and the overall design intent. In these permanent installations, the aesthetics typically shield a functional light source from view as in recessed luminaires but balance discrete lighting with decorative pendants and sconces. Of course, there are instances where Specialty and Architectural lighting overlap such as in college auditoriums or in conference rooms or for video conference spaces, where lighting becomes critical for facial recognition.
2. Design Flexibility and Control
Specialty lighting requires a high degree of flexibility and control. Designers work with an
array of specialized equipment, including spotlights, floodlights, and moving lights. These tools allow for precise control over intensity, color, and focus. The use of dimmers, color media, and programmable lighting control systems enables dynamic changes throughout a performance or presentation, adjusting to different scenes and moods.
Architectural lighting, while it also involves control, generally emphasizes consistent and stable lighting conditions. The focus is on uniformity and predictability rather than dynamic changes. Architectural lighting systems might use adjustable luminaires, but their primary function is to provide a steady and reliable light source that enhances the design and usability of a space. Control systems in architectural lighting often include programmable schedules and sensors to adjust light levels based on time of day or occupancy, rather than the rapid and dramatic changes of theatrical environments. Additionally, sustainability and individual user control are becoming more common with environmental programs such as LEED and WELL.
3. Equipment and Technology
The equipment used in specialty lighting is often more specialized than that used in
architectural lighting. Theatrical lighting rigs typically involve a variety of luminaires such as profile spotlights, Fresnel spotlights, wash luminaires, cyclorama and other scenic luminaires, and automated moving heads. Video lighting rigs may use many of these same luminaires along with softlights, panel lights, and camera mounted luminaires.
Each fixture type has specific characteristics suited to different aspects of performance and presentation lighting. For example, profile spotlights provide a sharp beam of light with adjustable focus, ideal for spotlighting actors or creating patterns. Fresnel spotlights provide a directional luminaire with a soft edge that can blend more easily for overlapping areas. Wash luminaires can bathe the stage in a nearly infinite number of colors. Cyc lights can create dynamic background illumination such as sunsets or stormy skies. Automated moving heads offer flexibility with their ability to pan, tilt, and change colors.
Architectural lighting equipment tends to be more standardized and integrated into the building’s design. Common fixtures include recessed lights, track lighting, pendants, sconces and other surface mounted luminaires. These fixtures are designed for durability and consistent performance over time. Architectural lighting often incorporates energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lamps, and may integrate with building management systems for automated control.
4. Rigging and Installation
Theatrical and video lighting involve complex rigging and installation processes. Fixtures
are often hung from grids or rigging system battens using various hardware like clamps, safety cables, and other grip equipment. These setups are designed to accommodate frequent changes in lighting positions and angles, often requiring precise adjustments. Rigging in theaters and TV studios is designed to handle the physical demands of frequent reconfiguration and ensure safety during performances.
Architectural lighting installation is typically more static, with fixtures mounted in fixed locations such as ceilings, walls, or floors. The rigging and mounting systems prioritize stability and long-term durability. The installation process involves careful planning to integrate fixtures seamlessly into the architecture, ensuring that they provide the desired illumination without disrupting the space’s aesthetics.
5. Impact on Space
Specialty lighting typically has a greater temporary and transformative impact on a space; the lighting design is tailored to the specific needs of a performance and can be altered frequently. This means that the same space can appear vastly different depending on the lighting configuration used for each performance.
On the other hand, architectural lighting has a more permanent impact on the space. The lighting design is intended to complement the architecture and remain consistent over time. The fixtures and their placement are chosen to enhance the space’s functionality and appearance while remaining in harmony with the overall design. Changes to architectural lighting are infrequent and more carefully considered.
6. Aesthetic Considerations
Specialty lighting is often bold and dramatic. The design focuses on creating visual effects
that support the narrative and enhance the emotional impact of the performance. Common elements used to achieve the desired visual effects are color changes, sharp contrasts, and dynamic movement.
In architectural lighting, aesthetics are more subtle and 
incorporated with the overall design of the space. The goal is to enhance architectural features and create a pleasing ambiance without overpowering the space. Designers select color temperatures, light intensities, and luminaire styles to complement the architectural elements and create a cohesive look.
7. Budget and Maintenance
Consider the investment in specialized equipment, infrastructure and technology necessary for specialty lighting; the costs include not only the initial purchase but also the ongoing expenses related to maintenance, repairs, and periodic upgrades. The maintenance of specialty lighting systems can be frequent due to the high usage and the need for regular adjustments. Specialty lighting equipment can be reused countless times and, theoretically, can last indefinitely.
Architectural lighting budgets typically focus on long-term value energy efficiency, and minimal maintenance. While upfront costs can be substantial, particularly for high-quality fixtures and energy-efficiency, the systems are designed for durability and low maintenance. Once installed, architectural lighting typically requires less frequent intervention. New lighting systems are designed to a ‘lumen maintenance’ factor of 70%, usually written as ‘L70,’ which means the light output (lumens) has depreciated by 70% of its initial value (IES LM-79 and IES LM-80.) This is denoted in hours. Depending on the client, it may be beneficial to specify luminaires with replacement lamps, rather than built-in LED modules, to negate the need to replace entire fixtures every few years.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinctions between theatrical/video lighting and architectural lighting is essential for designers working in their respective domains. While specialty lighting focuses on creating dynamic and transformative effects to enhance performance, architectural lighting aims to provide consistent and functional illumination that complements the design of a space. By comprehending these differences designers and architects can effectively meet the needs of their projects and achieve their intended visual and functional outcomes. The key takeaways are to understand the differences between the styles, when to use them and to communicate with your lighting designer early in the design process to ensure the desired result.
Richard D. Falconer CLD, LC, IALD, IES, is a Senior Lighting Designer at NV5 in Philadelphia, PA. Richard is among the 350 people worldwide with the Certified Lighting Designer certification.