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The term “Volumetric Lighting” simply refers to lighting that is less directional and more uniform throughout the entire volume of a space. Volumetric lighting extends beyond the work plane to adequately illuminate the entirety of the space, resulting in a better balance of luminance through the visual field. The space feels brighter, larger, more public, and more relaxing. Facial rendering is more natural, consistent, and complimentary. Shadows tend to be softer and less pronounced, and the appearance of the space is less defined by sharp, arbitrary transitions in surface brightness. Volumetric lighting does a better job of rendering architecture, its contents, and its occupants true to form.
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The attributes of volumetric lighting are well understood and appreciated, as evidence by the popularity of indirect and direct/indirect suspended lighting.
The need exists for a highly efficient surface or pendant mounted luminaire capable of providing quality volumetric exterior lighting. However, volumetric lighting is dependent upon high angle illumination, and this becomes a challenge in terms of glare management. Specular optics directly image the extreme brightness of the lamp. The solution lies in recognizing that luminous intensity is the product of luminance and area. For a given intensity value, the brightness of the luminaire can be reduced if the area from which that brightness emanates can be increased in size. This is another way of saying that the solution is to create a luminaire whose brightness Is distributed relatively uniformly over the entire luminaire aperture, and this implies that diffusing optics, rather than specular, must be employed.
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