Reading Questions

How would you feel about being an occupant in the San Francisco City Hall after its renovation?

As an occupant, I will really feel great because the structure became a symbol of recovery of natural disaster by many people’s (24 teams of architectural, design, and engineering consultants for more than three years) help to renovate the City Hall. Moreover, the newly restored City Hall done by many re-used fixtures such as lighting to make the space has more proper lighting source than before which was a definite movement of consideration of occupants.

What types of lighting were discussed? How can these fixtures benefit the Chatham County City Hall?

According to the reading assignment articles, pendant fixture, clear tungsten-halogen lamp, indirect and lay-in fluorescent lighting, skylight, metal-halide lamp, incandescent light, light-emitting diodes (LED), and daylight are discussed. For the City Hall of Pittsboro, properly combined use of lighting would produce a better work and performing environment because people, who spend their most working hours with computer, need different use of lighting than gallery or performance area.

What seemed to be the largest dissatisfaction with office types and how may this affect the design of the Chatham County City Hall?

It is not easy to say which one is better because each person has own preference choosing office type. Moreover, it depends on the type of career and one’s personal preference. For example, if a job needs more verbal communication between co-workers, open-planed office would be proper. However, there is an opposite case. To design a proper office plans for the City Hall of Pittsboro, I think that there needs an effort to investigate for finding a well-balanced plan (open & cell).

Is the courthouse appropriate for a dominant daylighting system?

I would like to say yes. The structure has potential possibilities of dominant daylight system with humongous windows, but it depends on the designer’s choice whether keeping the possibility or not.

What are benefits of daylighting?

The benefits of daylighting would be found in economic aspect and health care aspect. For example, if a space has a good daylighting, the cost of electricity would be less than other space which does not at least during the day. For health care aspect, examples can be found from articles, according to the article “Enriching lighting design” written by Elizabeth C. Brawley, “Bright light exposure is essential for anyone but even more so for older adults, who as mobility decreases, so does their exposure to daylight(196).”

Do codes matter for lighting design? Yes,no, or maybe?

Yes, it does matter. Each structure has its particular design feature. For instance, it is easy to compare the different design between residential and commercial design which means the needs are different up to the space. Lighting design is one of the most important design features and the design needs to follow the codes to maximize the potential possibilities of design.

Is lighting subjective or objective?

In my opinion, lighting is both subjective and objective. There is an example from the article. Women liked less bright lighting than men. Moreover, this matter depends on the personal preference and the purpose (use) of the space. Let me suggest that the different light of a wine bar and a library.

How is the information presented applied to my programming document and design?

It will be applied in several ways to my programming document such as spatial planning (allocation), material choice, and so on.

Does Cooper Lighting offer indirect lighting?

Yes, the company offers indirect lighting.