Lighting Book

In the simply entitled Lighting, contemporary design stalwart Nonie Niesewand produces an inspirational guide to the science and application of this transformational energy source. Niesewand, the author of The Complete Interior Designer and Contemporary Details and design correspondent of The Independent newspaper, is prodigiously well-informed about her chosen subject. The book covers the history and development of light and examines the extraordinary effects that clever lighting can achieve. Every effect is covered: contrast between light and shade, coloured, pierced and diffused light, reflection and dramatic lighting. Moreover Niesewand explains exactly how, when and why these variations of light originated. Art, cityscapes and nature are chosen as exemplars and the photography is as luminous as its subject. Types of light source include futuristic holograms, laser beams and fibre optics and Niesewand shows the subtle ways in which designers can manipulate light while conserving energy. The development of the application of light over the last 250 years draws on architects Sir John Soane, David Hicks and Richard MacCormac. Lighting consultants including Sally Storey and Phillipe Starck demonstrate contemporary applications in the home and workplace and captioned photographs illustrate the tricks of the trade so that the layman can recreate the look. The book also includes a useful hardware section, plus directory of addresses, listing every type of lighting apparatus. The final chapter, devoted to case studies, confirms the glossy, coffee-table appeal of this book. Glorious photographs of interiors by architects including Tadao Ando and Claudio Silvestrin add to the overall elegance of this encyclopedic guide to lighting. --Karen HomerRead More