Master's programme in Architectural Lighting Design
The understanding of the importance of good lighting design in urban areas, buildings and interiors is increasing. Light is fundamental to architecture and essential for human well-being. Lighting quality affects human behavior, comfort, health, efficiency, safety and security.
The profile of the one year Architectural Lighting Design programme is based on a new approach to light and light planning, which is a combination of visual, physical and biological based experience and knowledge applied to design, technology and health.
The educational idea is based on a comprehensive view, where theoretical knowledge will be combined with practical application in laboratory experiments, project work and case studies. The international profile of the programme will offer in-depth discussion and understanding of culturally-based views and values.
The aim of this one year programme is to provide the student with the fundamental knowledge and understanding to include lighting design as part of solutions for interior and exterior architectural projects. Basic knowledge on both electrical and daylight solutions shall be gained to enable its application as an integral part of a project to any built environment, taking into consideration efficiency, joy, health, sustainability, safety and acceptation by the people who live, work and relax in it.
At an application of the two year master's programme, the courses of the one year master's programme are counted in the examination requirements.
Programme outline
Light and Humans
The aim is the learning of the relation between light and humans, through physical space. Knowledge related to design process, light qualities, cultural and human aspects, light sources and materials should lead to the ability to develop a solution for a light object task, with the use of proper vocabulary.
Light and Space - Outdoor
The relation between light and outdoor environments - especially urban contexts, in its physical and cultural characters – is addressed through the expansion of lighting knowledge and vocabulary. Design task concludes in full-scale installations, to be aware of issues as energy and urban identity.
Light and Science
Basic theoretical knowledge about light and its relation to space, will be taught and discussed during lectures, experiments and study visits. The ability to analyse lighting conditions through the understanding of the visual and physical concepts of light will be development in a case study, presented as academic paper.
Light and Space – Indoor
The importance of dealing with daylight as well as artificial lighting in indoor spaces is addressed through activities related to sources and technology, space theory, visual ergonomics and performance. Design process, planning and presentation techniques will be handled in activities and tasks.
Degree project
The degree project may either be a fully theoretical work or a practical application with complementary theoretical part on the topic to be defined by the student, and accepted by the school, within the field of Architectural Lighting Design. The tutor, to follow the process and support the student work, may be either internal or external, and will be proposed by the student and approved by the thesis supervisor.
Course overview
Degree project
The one year programme will be concluded with a 15 ECTS credits Degee project (10 weeks full-time). Previews years´ thesis approached a wide variety of topics, within the Architectural Lighting Design field. Theoretical papers about light and health, light and time, urban lighting, perception and information, as well as practical projects with theoretical frame in rural lighting, interactive lighting design are a few examples among the developed works.
Career prospects
The idea behind offering a Master education that might be completed in either one or two years is related to different levels of specialization aimed by the attendants.
Considering the increasing demand for qualified lighting designers from architecture and design offices, electrical consults, as well as municipalities and public authorities, the learning outcomes of the one-year Architectural Lighting Design Master education should provide the fundamental knowledge to prepare students for such professional developments.
KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, is one of the top ten European universities within Science and Technology. A total of 17 000 students and a staff of 3500 make it the largest technical university in Sweden. For almost 200 years KTH has in a decisive manner contributed to the development and renewal of Swedish industry.
The Lighting Laboratory was founded in 2000 with the idea to be an open venue for education, discussion, experiment and lighting research. In the year of its 10th anniversary, the Lighting Laboratory opens its two year MSc Programme.
Application and admission
Architectural Lighting Design - Application and admission for external applicants
Contact
Agneta Ejhed, Programme Coordinator
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
School of Technology and Health
Marinens väg 30, 136 40 Handen, Sweden
Phone: +46 8 790 48 31
