In the Zone
You may not know that Thorburn Associates also designs presentation lighting. Lighting is essential to the success of a facility. Lighting, like sound, creates its own ambience and either blends harmoniously while providing needed support or literally stands out like a glaring beacon, distracting from the intended mood as well as interfering with presentations and lectures.
The human eye accepts and merges together different types of lighting sources: incandescent, florescent and daylight; however, video cameras require special treatment to accurately render color.
All lighting fixtures in presentation spaces should be zone controlled to provide low ambient light levels on the projection screen when the screens are in use. Indirect lighting should be used wherever possible. Night-light or emergency lighting should be located in the back of the room to keep interference with the projected image as little as possible.
Lighting design includes the considerations of: quality of light, quantity, maximum contrast, fixture location, reflection and controls. Lighting design also includes the use of black out shades, either manual or motorized.
Lighting controls compliment activities while minimizing glare. In the case of a presenter, lighting should minimize shadows, showcasing the person and lectern while allowing anything on the screen to also be seen.
Lighting is basic to any project; how a space is lit is anything but basic.