Key Points of Lighting Design for Airport Terminals

1. Introduction

Airport lighting is different from ordinary civil building lighting, but has higher requirements. Compared with ordinary engineering lighting projects, airport lighting projects have higher demands for professionalism in lighting design schemes due to their unique functions and clear division of functions in large spaces. Here’s a look at how to make better use of LED lighting for the terminal lighting design. Now let’s find out with the author!

This article will mainly start from the perspective of illumination requirements and lighting methods, and see what points need to be paid attention to in the lighting design of the terminal building.

2. Lighting requirements

2.1. Lighting method

At present, the lighting methods commonly used in airport terminals at home and abroad are usually divided into three types, namely direct lighting, indirect lighting, and mixed lighting:

• Direct lighting:

Direct lighting is the main lighting method in airport lighting to meet the purpose of functional lighting. Generally, down-lighting lights are used to ensure sufficient illumination. In the airport, people with various functions are active based on different purposes, according to functions and The work content, while ensuring the required illuminance, should select the most appropriate light source, type of lighting fixture, installation location, etc. Taking the typical main lighting tool of LED surface mounted downlight as an example, due to its high light efficiency, uniform light output and no glare, it makes the space bright and comfortable, creating a simple and generous atmosphere, and also emphasizes the guidance of airport lights to people. LED downlights are the main lighting fixtures that are widely used in airports. From the central hall of the airport to the ticket office, waiting room, VIP service area, etc., all important functional areas of the airport can be seen with LED downlights.

• Indirect lighting:

Another main lighting method in large space lighting – ceiling floodlighting, through the use of high-power lighting equipment directly to the light-colored ceiling with a certain reflectance, auxiliary part of the wall-mounted lights – column lights to strengthen the lower lighting, forming a high-quality lighting. The diffused three-dimensional light environment dominated by reflected light can effectively improve the uniformity of lighting and reduce the concentration of shadows. Traditional airports may use more indirect lighting methods, such as high-power flood lights, which are usually installed on the building structure of the ceiling, and illuminated by the reflection of the ceiling, although this method is more comfortable. , but its light efficiency is relatively low compared to direct lighting.

• Structured lighting:

In addition to meeting its functional requirements, lighting also needs to be perfectly integrated with the architectural environment and interior design, and fully use various lighting methods to express the interior space and external image of the building to highlight the characteristics of the architectural environment. Some architectural space concepts should be strengthened with the language of lighting to highlight the architectural effect. Flood lights are generally used to illuminate the orderly structural parts of the building to form a rhythmic space lighting effect.

• Hybrid lighting:

In the airport, except for the large space building of the terminal building, the rest is the concrete ceiling system. The lighting of the concrete ceiling system generally includes ambient lighting, decorative lighting, and accent lighting; how to use different lighting methods to meet the functional requirements, highlight the indoor focus, strengthen the theme, Strengthening the sense of spatial hierarchy is the key to good lighting. Concrete ceiling systems generally appear in airport aisles, bathrooms, store areas, etc. How to use lighting to make this area harmoniously compatible with the overall large space of the airport, but also differentiated, is what needs to be considered when dealing with the lighting design of concrete ceiling systems. problem, let the lighting design add charm to the building.

• Natural light:

Generally, the energy consumption of airports is very large. Therefore, when designing lighting, in addition to ensuring the use of artificial light, it is also necessary to make full use of natural light to ensure that the indoor environment is more natural and save energy. However, natural light and artificial light need to be effectively coordinated, and accurate calculation can achieve the desired effect. How to balance and how to use it is a great test for designers and companies responsible for lighting projects.

2.2. Glare prevention

Glare refers to the visual conditions that cause visual discomfort and reduce the visibility of objects due to unsuitable brightness distribution or extreme brightness contrast in space or time. Glare is one of the important causes of visual fatigue.

The architectural lighting control of the large space of the terminal building is divided into two parts. One is the anti-glare lighting of the concrete ceiling system. In addition to the rationality of the shading angle, soft lights are generally selected as the basic lighting lights (such as downlights, Milky white panel lights). The second is the anti-glare of large-space architectural lighting to avoid uncomfortable glare. It is necessary to consider not only the matching of the light distribution of the lights and the space height, but also the rationality of the positioning of the lights, so as to avoid the glare making people feel irritable.

In order to prevent glare, a reasonable shading angle of lights should be set. Concrete ceiling system lighting considers the rationality of the shading angle of the lights. Generally, the shading angle is greater than 30 degrees, and it is recommended to choose lights with soft and deep light, or lights with frosted surfaces. Such as panel lights, downlights with acrylic cover, deep snorkel spotlights, etc. LED panel lights are also widely used lighting fixtures. It can be used both as main lighting and as an auxiliary downlight to supplement illumination. The LED panel light uses an LED light source with a micro-lens optical system, which can output softer light without glare. After the beam angle of the panel light is increased, the scope of illumination is expanded, which can provide sufficient illumination for the airport terminal space, and at the same time achieve a comfortable visual effect.

2.3. Reasonable illumination

Large-space architectural lighting For the setting of the lighting point, it is necessary to consider the matching of the lighting distribution and the space height, and also consider the uniformity of the illuminance while considering the illuminance. Generally, it is directly projected to a light-colored ceiling with a certain reflectance by using high-power lighting equipment, or a tall space downlight is used.

LED lights are also very common in airport lighting. For example, in the terminal building of Guangzhou New Baiyun International Airport, a large number of high-efficiency and energy-saving lights are used to make the whole space more harmonious and uniform, and the lighting is softer and uniform, giving people a sense of comfort. .

The use of LED floodlights is mainly to achieve the effect of indirect lighting and mixed lighting. Indirect lighting is to install floodlights on the building structure of the ceiling, and use the reflected light of the ceiling for lighting. This kind of lighting is more comfortable, but its light efficiency is relatively low. Hybrid lighting is the combination of direct lighting and indirect lighting, highlighting the structural features of the building through indirect lighting, and supplementing with direct lighting.

2.4. Lighting guidance

As a super-large transportation hub, the airport terminal should not only pay attention to the visual experience of passengers, but also ensure that the signs of each building in each area of the airport have the best identification around the clock, so as to better serve people.

3. Conclusion

In general, the lighting design of airport terminals needs to weigh the needs of lighting functionality, aesthetics, comfort and other aspects at the same time, and at the same time, it is best to have efficient energy-saving effects. Of course, the more superior terminal lighting design is to use LED lighting fixtures, ensure illumination and other factors, and at the same time, it can also highlight its airport characteristics and impressive lighting design scheme to express the unique personality of the airport.