Content’s structure:
Daylight and artificial lighting
(Concept, terminology, definitions)
Human Perception
(Visual, non visual, psychological)
Design Basics
(Observation, synthesis, process and tools)
Lighting machine
(Mock-up, design-process)
HS2007 Light and Humans 9.0 credits
The dynamic relationship between lighting and the built environment is shaped through their mutual impact on the human experience.
In the first course of the Architectural Lighting Design Master’s program, "Light and Humans," you will explore this essential connection, discovering how light influences our perception, behaviour, and well-being. This course offers an exciting journey from understanding light as a technological, social, and perceptual phenomenon to applying this knowledge in hands-on, real-world scenarios. You will also have the chance to challenge your own perception via the laboratory experiments.
Through immersive, full-scale lighting applications, you will not only learn but experience the transformative power of light in shaping spaces and lives. This is the first step into the world of architectural lighting design, where you will engage with light as a creative, powerful tool to enhance human environments.
Apart from the Lighting Design Division teachers and tutors, you will meet as part of your educational journey some of the regular guests that take part on this course like the lighting design practitioners Jan Ejhed, Colin Ball and Yael Erel.
#Perception, lighting basics, full-scale application
Information per course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Information for Autumn 2025 Start 25 Aug 2025 programme students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 25 Aug 2025 - 24 Oct 2025
- Periods
- P1 (9.0 hp)
- Pace of study
67%
- Application code
50199
- Form of study
Normal Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Course memo is not published
- Number of places
Min: 5
- Target group
Mandatory for TLODM
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Schedule is not published
- Part of programme
Contact
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus HS2007 (Autumn 2019–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus HS2007 (Autumn 2019–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course disposition
Course contents
- This course is the introduction to the programme and provides terminology and fundamental concepts, placing light in a cultural, historical and social context.
- Orientation about the role of lighting for the perception of the physical surrounding.
- Introduction to design process, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of daylight and electric light.
-
Theoretical and visual introduction to lighting principles and technology.
Intended learning outcomes
- Students should gain a basic light and lighting vocabulary.
- Students will learn and discuss the importance of light and lighting for human beings' cultural, historical and social development.
- Students should be able to solve a lighting design task using light and materials as shaping elements of the physical environment and reflect over their communicative possibilities.
- Students must work on the solution of design tasks establishing connections between conceptual ideas and real life situations.
- Students should be able to justify design choices in terms of the relation between light sources, materials and human experience and the relevant conditions of the site.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
The eligibility as required for the programme, or the equivalent knowledge in Architecture or related field.
Literature
DiLaura, Houser, Mistrick, Steffy.(2011) Lighting Handbook, 10th ed, IESNA.
Corrodi, Spechtenhauser. (2008) Illuminating.
Ines, Malcolm (2012) Lighting for Interior Design
Mende,Kaoru (2010) Designing with shadow.
Millet, Marietta. (1996) Light revealing architecture.
Pettersson, Svante. (2015) See the light.
Plus recommended and mandatory literature presented during the course.
Speirs, J. and Major, M. (2006). Made of Light - The art of light and architecture.
Tanizaki, Yunichiro. (1977) In praise of Shadows
Tregenza, P. & Loe, D. (2013). The design of lighting, Routledge.
Zajonc, A. (1995). Catching the Light: The Entwined History of Light and Mind.
Plus recommended and mandatory literature presented during the course.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Examination
- INLA - Workbook, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- PROA - Project, 4.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
The course has three examination modules, a workbook (INLA), design basics (PROA) and design project (PROB).
The course evaluation is a combination of analysis, process and results of project 1 and 2 (reinterpretation task and desing task) and workbook grades, which reflect teamwork and individual achievements.
Examination of PROA “reinterpretation task” takes into consideration: Analysis, Findings, Process, Tools, End result.
Examination of PROB “design project” takes into consideration: Vision and Concept, Process, End result, Presentation.
Personal learning process is assessed through INLA “workbook”. Examination takes into consideration the following criteria: Completeness, Structure, Depth of reflections, Critical thinking and Research.
Detailed description of assessment methodology is provided at the beginning of each course.
Other requirements for final grade
To receive a final grade for this course, grade E or higher on the workbook (report of lectures, process and reflections) and the project (process and seminars) is required, as well as 80 % attendance.
Overall course grade is based on grading scale A-F.
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.
Offered by
Main field of study
Technology and Health
Education cycle
Second cycle