Lisa Bornemann, Lighting / Electrical
Independence Visitor Center Dr. Moeck
Philadelphia, PA September 30, 2002
Lighting Existing Conditions
and Design Criteria Report
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Lighting Exisiting Conditions and Design Criteria Report
Executive Summary
Independence Visitor Center
Philadelphia, PA
Executive Summary
The Independence Visitor Center is an award winning lighting design by the IALD. I have now had the chance to look more deeply into what actually exists in this design. A variety of source types as well s fixture types are used throughout the facility. Fluorescent, incandescent, and metal halide lamps are all used for different purposes. Daylighting is an integral part of the ambient light for the main hall. This is a large space that required special design of track lighting to integrate the electric lighting as well.
The architect, Mark DeShong, was helpful with information regarding the appearances of the space and the materials used. He was most helpful with the material and color of the material, not with specific brand names. Therefore, the reflectance values listed in this report are assumed based on color and finish. Enclosed in this report are existing furniture plans that will be helpful for the redesign.
After analyzing the ticket counter, theater, and main hall I came to certain conclusions. The power densities at the ticket counter and especially the main hall did not meet the ASHRAE/IESNA standard 90.1. In my new design, one aspect I will be concentrating on is lowering the power density to half of the required values by standard 90.1. The theater utilizes only incandescent lighting, but fluorescent lighting will reduce that power density greatly. The appearances of the spaces were all aesthetically pleasing, with the exception of a few lamps that may be too close to certain walls forming unwanted hotspots and scalloping patterns. The IES handbook criteria for illuminance levels were all met and some were exceeded. This leaves more room for lowering wattage or removing fixtures to lower the power density.
Basic calculations were run for the spaces without much detail, so there is room for some error to have occurred. All calculations were run on Lightscape: the files can be found on my P-drive at P:\Thesis\3Dmodels\theater and at P:\Thesis\3Dmodels\ticketcounter. My user ID is lmb237. The daylighting calculations were not yet run and will be performed at a later date. This is an overall good design, but there is always room for changes.
Lighting Existing Conditions and Design Criteria Report
Independence Visitor Center
Philadelphia, PA
Ticket Counter
Existing Lighting Systems
The existing lighting systems at the ticket counter area are all fluorescent. There is a combination of downlights, wallwashers, and strip lighting in coves. The space has a counter that wraps around three sides. Above the front counter, there are recessed compact fluorescent downlights. This is a ticket counter and information desk that visitors will approach and speak with tellers behind the desk. There are computers at each of the eleven chairs for visitor center employees to use. Behind the front counter is a wall which has a visitor center sign hanging on it. Wall washers are used to light this wall and the desk and shelving up against the wall. On both sides, fluorescent cove lighting is used where a total of six more visitor center employees use computers and answer questions. All controls are three-way switches; there is no dimming in this area. Refer to Table 1.1 on the following page for exact lamps and descriptions of the specific fixtures currently in use. Refer to Plan 1 to see a plan, furniture layout, and RCP of the space.
Figure 1.1: Rendering of existing ticket counter
At the ticket counter, the floor has a terrazzo base with a very dark gray matte rubber on top. The walls are gypsum wall board painted an off-white color called Larson’s Cream. This is a polymix which has a mix of colors leaving a marbleizing effect, but appearing to be almost off-white. The ceiling is acoustic ceiling tile. The desk is a light maple wood desk with a dark gray, matte, corian synthetic counter top. Against the back wall, there is another desk and drawers in the same light maple wood material. Also, on the back wall is a sign hung in the center giving the name of the visitor center. Refer to Table 1.2 below for a summary of finishes and reflectance values.
Finishes / ReflectanceFloor / Walls / Ceiling / Floor / Walls / Ceiling
Rubber - Matte dark gray / Gypsum Wall Board painted off-white (Larson's Cream) / Acoustic tile ceiling / 0.20 / 0.55 / 0.70
Table 1.2: Ticket counter finishes and material reflectances
Design Criteria
There are a variety of visual tasks that take place at the ticket counter. The workers use computers and read both printed paper and glossy magazines. Facial rendering is important so the workers look approachable since they are there to answer questions and provide information for visitors.
Design Goals:
· To create a pleasing, distinctive environment
· To use facial modeling to make the workers approachable
· To highlight the back wall to draw peoples attention
· To provide a power density that is less than half of the recommended value from ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1
VDT screen usage:
· Vertical illuminance: 3fc
· Horizontal illuminance: 3fc
· Direct glare is a very important concern
· Reflected glare is a very important concern
· Source/task/eye geometry
· Uniformity on ceiling: 8:1 luminance ratio acceptable for light background screen
4:1 luminance ratio for dark background screens
2:1 luminance ratio is most desirable
· Luminance Ratios: 3:1 or 1:3 between task and adjacent VDT screen
10:1 or 1:10 between task and nonadjacent surfaces
· Maximum ceiling luminance not exceed 850 cd/m2, but less than 425 cd/m2 is best
Reading written or printed tasks:
· Horizontal illuminance: 30fc
· Reflected glare is important on glossy tasks
· Shadows should be avoided
Power Density Requirements:
· ASHRAE / IESNA Standard 90.1-1999: meeting, multipurpose = 1.5 W/ft2
· Existing conditions is space :
Area = 500 ft2
Wattage: 26fixtures x 32 W/fixture = 832 W
52 l.f. x 16 W/l.f. = 832 W
Total Wattage = 1664 W
Power Density = 1664W / 500 ft2 = 3.33 W/ft2
Light Loss Factors:
· LLD = 0.95
· LDD = 0.9 (assumed clean, maintenance 12 months, maintenance category IV)
· RSDD = 0.9
· Ballast factor = 1.0 ( integral ballast)
· Total LLF = 0.77
The ticket counter is a point of interest in the Independence Visitor Center. There is a large sign on the back of the wall displaying the name of the visitor center and the different counties’ visitor centers it has combined. The wall should be washed with light in order to draw peoples’ attention to the space so they will go there to get information. This sign, as well as the wall it is hanging on, should be a brighter area. The overall space should have an illuminance level of about 50 fc. This is higher than the recommended value, but I believe it is important to have this space stand out. The vertical illuminance should be about 3 fc minimum for VDT screen usage. It is important to maintain a uniform ceiling luminance in order to minimize reflected glare on the VDT screens and glossy reading materials as well as to keep the space aesthetically pleasing. Luminance ratios should be taken into account between the VDT screen and its surroundings, and the location of the lighting fixtures should be considered to minimize direct or reflected glare and to avoid unnecessary shadows. Facial rendering is important in this space. Warmer lamps should be used so the workers and visitors look alive and healthy. Avoid the use of direct downlights alone and incorporate other lighting into the space since multidirectional lighting improves facial modeling. It will create some necessary shadowing on the face, which is not as harsh as downlights alone.
Existing Conditions Analysis
Figure 1.2: Illuminance calculations for the ticket counter performed in Lightscape
The following data was calculated using Lightscape (Refer to Figure 1.2):
Illuminance:
· Horizontal workplane – counter: uniform about 45-55 fc
· Horizontal on floor – uniform about 40 fc
· Vertical along back wall – between 275-400 fc – not as uniform as desired
· Coves on side walls – high illuminance directly next to wall
(Not IES file for exact fixture used, only similar)
· Counters on side walls – 55 fc
Luminance
· Horizontal workplane - Uniform, about 50-60 cd/m2
· Floor - Uniform, 50 cd/m2
· Ceiling – Uniform 25 cd/m2
Existing Conditions Critique
The illuminance levels met the desired IES criteria. They could be a little lower on the counters on the side walls, possibly using a 1-lamp fixture instead of a 2-lamp fixture. For the most part, there is a uniform wash over the counter and floor. The wall behind the counter is not as uniform as desired, this may be due to slight misplacement of fixtures for the calculation, or it may not be the exact IES file of the actual fixture used, just a similar one. The power density requirements from ASHRAE/IESNA standard 90.1 are not met. By trying 1-lamp fixtures instead of 2-lamp fixtures for the recessed linear fluorescents, will reduce the wattage and power density. This calculation does not take into consideration ambient light that comes from the main hall. Since three sides of this space have direct openings to the main hall, the illuminance levels will raise and this other direction of light will help with facial rendering.
Independence Visitor Center
Philadelphia, PA
Theater #1
Existing Lighting Systems
The existing lighting systems in the theater are all incandescent. This yields a very high power density. There is a combination of downlights, wallwashers, and adjustable accent lights used throughout the space. All of the fixtures use 100W A19 lamps to keep everything consistent. Wallwashers line both side walls, while downlights are spread out above the seating areas. The adjustable accent lights are used for lighting the speaker at the podium in the front of the room. Refer to Table 2.1 on the following page for exact lamps and descriptions of the specific fixtures currently in use.
All theater lighting is controlled using the Lutron GRX 4106T-WH which is a master preset control station with integral dimmers. It consists of a (6) zone, (4) scene preset system with a wall mounted white plastic cover. The remote control station with (4) scene plus off selector has the four scenes programmed as ‘Lecture’, ‘Presentation’, ‘Special Event’, and ‘Clean-up’. The entry control station, which is located adjacent to the doors, is the station for selecting ‘Lecture’ and ‘Off’. There is also an AV Interface located in the electrical closet that allows the audio visual system to signal the lighting control system via RS-232 protocol. This system utilizes six individually dimmable zones. All panels are wall mounted front access dimmer panels. The two adjustable accent lights can be controlled separately to light the speaker at the podium as desired. All of the wallwashers are controlled by the same zone so the walls will always be evenly lit. This zone has four emergency lights on it as well. The general downlights are broken into three zones: front by the screen, middle of the room, which also contains two emergency lights, and back of the room. This allows the possibility of having lights on in the back while still showing a film on the screen in the front. See Table2.2 and Plan 3 for further control information.
The floor in the theater is a very dark gray rubber. The wall are acoustical panels in a dark quill color. The ceiling is a combination of acoustical panels and drywall painted a matte off-white. There is no artwork or anything else hanging on any of the walls. The seating is all light wood benches with a matte finish. They were chosen be long term and durable and to allow families to sit closely together instead of being separated by seats and different rows. The Table 2.1 below sums up the finishes and states the reflectance’s of the materials.
Finishes / ReflectanceFloor / Walls / Ceiling / Floor / Walls / Ceiling
Rubber - Matte dark gray / Acoustical Panels on walls - Dark Quill / Combination of acoustical panels and drywall painted matte off-white / 0.20 / 0.40 / 0.70
Table 2.1: Theater finishes and material reflectances
Zone # / Control Zone / Fixture Type / Quantity / Wattage / Total Load / Dimmer TypeA1 / General Downlights / FA / 6 / 100 / 600 / Incandescent
A2 / General Downlights / FA / 9 / 100 / 900 / Incandescent
A3 / General Downlights / FA / 3 / 100 / 300 / Incandescent
A4 / Adjustable Accent Lights / FC / 1 / 100 / 100 / Incandescent
A5 / Adjustable Accent Lights / FC / 1 / 100 / 100 / Incandescent
A6 / Wall Washers / FB / 23 / 100 / 2300 / Incandescent
Table 2.2: Theater control zones
Design Criteria
This theater has a podium in the front of the room and a projection screen for videos to be shown on. The visual tasks in this space include reading programs before a video and during intermission, facial rendering for the audience and speaker at the podium, walking in and out during a video, and seeing the projection screen.