An investigation of the role of artificial lighting in the process of creating a pleasant affective spacial meaning: A case study of Dahd Hotel in Yazd

Abstract

Due to its being located in a desert area, the city of Yazd has a favorable weather and a clear starry sky at nighttime. So, has the potential to expand nightlife and become a "24-hour city". This purpose can be achieved with the help of the artificial lighting industry. However, what we see nowadays is cities with optical visual perturbation and excessive use of colorful lights. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the techniques of artificial lighting and its effects on the affective meaning of space. This can be effective for the protection of Yazd's global status. The nature of the present study is descriptive-analytical one, using a Delphi-based survey method. A part of the study is quasi-experimental in which artificial lighting techniques at the Dahd Hotel were simulated and 50 people were surveyed. According to the results of the research and from the viewpoint of architectural lighting experts in Yazd, local-peripheral lighting techniques, illuminance intensity, and the way light is distributed have the most impact on the creation of affective meaning. By doing experiment on people, it was found that local-peripheral lighting techniques are more pleasant than the general lighting. It can be a good approach to create an attractive space with a combination of local-peripheral lighting, a non-uniform distribution of light and high luminosity. It will also be suitable for creating a relaxing space with a combination of peripheral light with uniform light distribution and low luminosity.

Keywords

• lighting
• artificial lighting of buildings
• affective meaning
• desert regions
• nightlife