Architectural Lighting Design, M.A.

In addition to the basics of architectural lighting design, health issues will also be addressed. Light in relation to health and wellness, which are priorities in the current curriculum, are important topics for the future and need further understanding and research.

A qualified lighting designer as described has acquired skills in the fields of electrical engineering, air-conditioning, architecture, and interior design. He has got expert knowledge of the medium light in all its facets and can put it to work in creative design.

In connection with architecture light must not only interprete physical and technical realities of a building but also the functional and human aspects of the relevant spaces. Also in lighting design it is true that only the interaction of form and function will result in a well-balanced arrangement. In contrast to the theatre, architecture is always a usable and verifiable reality to be experienced with all five senses. This explains the necessity of a specialized education in the field of architectural lighting. In a holistic view of buildings and light, the lighting designer is not only occupied with physical guidelines for appropriate light characteristics but also incorporates demands that are vital for the well-being and the individual perception of people.

Objective of the course is a comprehensive preparation for the Architectural Lighting Design. This qualification opens up a wide field of career prospects: as a professional freelance lighting designer, as an employee in a lighting design office, or as a specialist in the field of lighting design in an architect‘s office or an electrical planning office. 

Lighting designers are working as consultants in the planning of artificial lighting of interior and, more and more, outside spaces as well as in the improvement of daylight use. Often, they are entrusted directly with the planning in the field of lighting design. Other fields of work are in the illumination industry, in business, and in the construction of exhibition stands.

Besides the focus on the development of creative solutions and their technical realization which are based on previous knowledge of former studies, lighting technology design methods as well as computer-aided simulations of lighting environments are emphasised. Prospects of employment are estimated by experts to be quite favourable. Due to this professional field still expanding a high standard of flexibility is required including the chance to work abroad.