An investigation on mirror lighting

Mirror is a significant interior design element that people can see their reflections and use for daily personal care intentions like shaving, make-up, brushing teeth, grooming, etc. Due to its functional properties, mirrors are extensively used above the vanities of bathrooms, bedrooms, and in the entrances of residential buildings; in the restrooms of cultural centers, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, etc. ; inside stores and dressing rooms; in the hairdresser and beauty saloons and on the back stages of halls where arts performed. When its functional properties are considered, mirror lighting is an important lighting design issue. On the other hand, there is limited guiding information in literature about luminare position, illuminance level required in front of the mirror and illuminance level preferences according to gender. The aim of this study is to investigate the sample applications about mirror lighting, to simulate these by a computer program, to evaluate regarding visual comfort conditions, to determine the preferred luminaire placements and vertical/semi-cylindrical illuminance levels through experiments. The study aimed for this purpose consists of three stages. The first stage is to determine sample applications on mirror lighting by searching the literature and field work. Variations in lamp type, luminaire type and luminaire placement is created by a simulation program about lighting design. Acquired results is evaluated in terms of vertical/semi-cylindrical illuminance levels in front of the mirror and discomfort glare values. At the end of these evaluations, most satisfactory luminaire type and luminaire placement is chosen. In the second stage of the study, chosen luminaire types is handled and the experiment room constituted within 2011-03-01-DOP01 numbered Research Project is used. This experiment room is modeled by a lighting simulation program and a mirror is fixed on a wall of the room. Three luminaires is placed around the mirror; two on both sides, one above the mirror. By using three luminaires around the mirror and existing luminaires in the room together and separately twenty seven lighting scenarios is created. For each scenario, vertical and semi-cylindrical illuminance level and distribution, UGRL (unified glare rating level) is calculated. Following the simulation of experiment room and constitution of twenty seven lighting scenarios, these lighting scenarios is applied in a 1/1 scale experiment room. In these scenarios different average illuminance levels are provided by controlling existing luminaires in the room by the existing lighting control system and by dimming three luminaires around the mirror. In the last stage of the study, twenty seven different scenarios applied in the experiment room is examined by subjects and questionnaires is carried out to determine the judgments and preferences of the subjects about lighting arrangement and illuminance level for each scenario. Findings obtained at this stage is evaluated in terms of illuminance level, glare and shadow conditions and guiding criteria for mirror lighting design is introduced. Anahtar Kelimeler: Mirror lighting, Vertical Illuminance, Cylindrical Illuminance, Glare, Shadow