light34-lighting

[light34-lighting]

The Atrium Mall & Tower / Bahrain

We designed custom made lighting pole and led wall light for Atrium Mall and Towers lighting project in Manama, Bahrain. We used dali control system and RGB system which, works in harmony for each outdoor lighting pole in the shopping mall lighting project. Turkish lighting manufacturer Lİght34 offers special lighting solutions and custom made lighting products regarding indoor and outdoor lighting projects from all over the world.

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a multi-ethnic society and has the fastest-growing economy in the Arab world in addition to be a popular tourist destination in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain is famous for its impressive mosques, burial mounds, and traditional markets. The kingdom combines modern Arab culture and the archaeological legacy of five thousand years of civilization. The island is home to forts including Qalat Al Bahrain which has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. 

Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 157,000 people. The name Manama means place of rest or place of dreams in the Arabic language. Long an important trading center and a strategic international trade hub located in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population. Geographically, Bahrain is a group of small islands sprinkled near Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s northeastern coast.

In 2018, $30-million The Atrium Shopping Mall and Towers, in a unique manner and with a university adjoining, which will include a supermarket and three anchor restaurants, as well as 23 retail units, are opened in Bahrain. It has been built in the Janabiya area, on an 86000 square meters plot and offers 48500 square meters of leaseable area. Extensive plans are underway to expand and improve the King Fahd Causeway which opened in 1986 linking the kingdom to Saudi Arabia and remains the only land link Bahrain has with the outside world. Atrium Mall and Towers will be an excellent touristic point with its unique geographic location next to the Saudi-Bahrain causeway.

We worked with a local partner in Bahrain to develop outdoor area lighting design of Atrium Mall and Tower shopping mall lighting project. The first thing in the project that you can notice is an alternative outdoor garden area experience which is not common in comparison with regular applications. So, we decided to use a Manama Series custom made lighting pole model add extra attention to the garden area. As a part of our landscape lighting solution, we integrate our lighting fixtures to the architectural concept.

Landscape area is surrounding with soothing water features, restaurants and cafes. The entrance of the mall is being placed through this landscape area, so we used warm white led urban lighting poles and modern all lights to make the area well-lit and, functional for the visitors and residents of commercial areas. Restaurant outdoor lighting had been part of our outdoor lighting project too. So we prevented the bad effects of lighting such as glare and lighting pollution using the accurate diffusers for a good beam angle in order to create comfort zones for guests.

Light34 LED wall luminaires were used to highlight the outdoor areas. They were excellently suited for the energy-efficient illumination of the entrance zone at the Atrium Mall building. With their symmetrical light distribution, they successfully illuminated and perfectly supplemented the constructed architecture, including on the landscape spaces and highlight to the plants.

Harmonized RGB light system has placed a lighting pole body to create a special atmosphere in the backyard of the shopping mall. Multipurpose landscape lighting application will amaze the visitors, in addition, providing the full range of necessities within a beautiful space to gather with friends and family in a natural environment.

Turkish lighting products manufacturer and lighting design project consultancy company Light34 Lighting is ready to serve as a solution partner in worldwide projects for both interior and exterior lighting projects with its experienced staff, visionary design team and superb quality management procedure.

[light34-lighting]

Gulhane Park / Türkiye

Gulhane Park Lighting Project was held by Turkish lighting company Light34 as a project partner. We designed the outdoor lighting project and our traditional garden lighting fixtures were applied to the landscape lighting application areas.

Gulhane Park is one of the oldest and most historical parks in Istanbul and has very important place in Turkish history. Gulhane Park is one of the ideal spots for you to rest under the centuries-old trees and read books, get away from the noise and crowds of the city and walk on the paths full of colorful flowers.

Gulhane Park, which is among the most beautiful parks of Istanbul, was first used as the outer garden of the palace during the Ottoman period. The fact that the tulips, various kinds of flowers and roses are located in the park has kept the name of Gülhane Park throughout history. The park, which has managed to preserve its richness since its past, is also known as Sarayburnu Park. It is located in Eminönü district of Fatih district and in 1912 it was removed from the palace garden and opened for public service.

Gülhane Park has witnessed many important events from a historical perspective with all its beauties. The Hagios Georgies Monastery and the Panagia Hodegetria Sacred Spring in the region made it valuable during the Byzantine period. At the same time, the 1839 Tanzimat Edict, one of the important developments in Ottoman history, was first read in Gülhane Park.

Ataturk's first statue erected in Turkey are located here. The statue was made by the Austrian Kripel and erected in 1926 where it is now. Moreover, in the ceremony held in Gulhane on November 24, 1928, Ataturk was given the title of “Head Teacher”. Ataturk introduced the Latin letters to the public on the blackboard he founded and gave his first lecture here.

Orion Series Garden Lighting Pole and Fixture, which has emerged from the combination of traditional design and elegant lines, has been preferred to be suitable for the historical atmosphere of Gulhane Park and to contribute to the integrity of the garden lighting application area. Outdoor lighting poles applied through the walkways which follows the park from begining to end. Lamp post body was made from aluminum and implemented special surface treatments to keep safe product from rust and other hamful effects of environment. HPS lamp option requested from our customer was implemented to products to illuminate urban area.

Orion Series Bollards is also requested to be the part of the landscape lighting project as the illuminate the side walkways and landscape area with led bulbs. Products painted white color to bring the sober and elegant  athmosphere in achieving the goal of enhancing the architectural forms by means of comfortable scenic lighting, with great attention to environmental sustainability and environmental harmony. 

The public lighting area was illuminated with our lighting poles which, service life is considerably longer than the industry standards. When redesigning the pedestrian zone and park lighting project of Gulhane Park, we benefited from the fact that the sophisticated and timeless design and extraordinary durability of the outdoor garden light pole luminaires.

The light34 lawn lights illuminate garden, walkways, landscape and also serve as entrance lighting. They not only ensure efficiently and significantly more cost-effective outdoor lighting project solutions but also fit in with the overriding aim of enhancing the potential of the night-time urban lighting and guaranteeing an even better lighting atmosphere. That is why we add the our path light model Orion Lawn Light to enrich the illuminance level and harmonize architectural elements in the park.

We reflected hospitality, functionality, serenity and refinement features with our traditional lighting fixtures which distinguish the project where, light emphasizes the perfection of nature, while at the same time, conferring a touch of contemporary feeling and definition.

[light34-lighting]

Vela Landscape Lighting Pole

Our modern design-led lighting column Vela can be used as a part of your concept in gardens, public parks and urban areas. Adjustable height, colour, quantity and the both horizontally and vertically positions of luminaires will bring you the chance of creating individual lighting element.

We can use multiple floodlights in contexts where horizontal surfaces need to be lit simultaneously. They can be adapted easily and can meet the requirements of aesthetically and functionally. Modern design urban lighing pole and lighting fixtures  will illuminate 360° space around the application area.

[light34-lighting]

Epsilon Pathway Light

The Epsilon Series Garden Lighting Luminaire sets standards in terms of unique design, superior performance and user convenience in the technical decorative luminaire sector. Mast and wall light variants are completely matched to high-efficiency LED technology and provide flexibility and comfort for lighting applications according to needs, ranging from roads, gardens to residential streets.

Up to 3,5 meters high efficient luminaires can be usable on cast-aluminum material garden lighting pole as an option. The family concept features customizable case colors and can be usable with or without glass diffuser, along with various lumen packages, reflector geometries and light colors. Easy installation and convenient maintenance are the other advantages of the luminaires. 

The LED Module has an good operating grades against heat and other hard environmental conditions. This makes the Epsilon Series luminaires available in any outdoor lighting application area.

[light34-lighting]

Galata Outdoor Lighting Pole

[light34-lighting]

Carina Path Light

[light34-lighting]

Wooden Lamp Post

Let the stylish design and natural appearance of wooden lamp post illuminate your garden and landscape areas. Wood veneer lamp posts, which are a special technology product, have a 20 year surface lift guarantee and the products can withstand years of outdoor weathering and corrosion with very simple maintenance procedures. Lighting poles offer variety of architectural approaches with their natural wood texture and appearance. Combining efficient and modern lighting with innovative and sustainable material technology, wooden lamp posts offer options such as finishes, automation and control systems. Blending functional and decorative lighting elements, natural wood lamp posts are both more cost effective than solid wood lamp posts with sustainable material technology, such as the use of 2% wood compared to solid wood, and prevent unnecessary use of wood and thus the destruction of forests.

[light34-lighting]

Masdar City Central Park Lighting Project / Abu Dhabi / UAE

In addition to being a hub of transnational trade and finance facilities, Dubai is one of the most popular and attractive tourist destinations in the world. With its developed cities namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, the UAE has become one of the most developed countries in the region. The new face of the United Arab Emirates is unveiled by architectural and modern renovations. This modern progress contibutes to local tradition with a new and uplifting reason to boost living standards.

As Light34 Lighting, we constantly think and work so that lighting is a part of life that appeals to the soul and nature, away from only a technical detail, and makes life easier for people. Our designs are shaped by the principles and discipline of our company in line with the wishes and demands of our customers, as in this project.

In addition to being a hub of transnational trade and finance facilities, Dubai is one of the most popular and attractive tourist destinations in the world. With its developed cities namely Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, the UAE has become one of the most developed countries in the region. The new face of the United Arab Emirates is unveiled by architectural and modern renovations. This modern progress contibutes to local tradition with a new and uplifting reason to boost living standards.

In recent years, Dubai has become home to many intriguing projects of the world and works created with different and pioneering architectural perspectives. City also shows its differency from other destinations with touristic areas, such as, beaches and such as big projects like Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Creek. The new vision of the UAE played a key role in outlining a magnificent development and still progressing to create marvelous life standards for local multinational habitats.

With our new outdoor lighting element model, we strive to add value to Dubai's vibrant and original vision. We concentrated on light color, anti-glare, and lighting specifics, and planned lighting accordingly, to create an architectural idea in harmony with the building around the building with contemporary contours. Under the provisions of the Light34 Green Policy, which we maintain for environmentally sustainable and effective use of lighting, a development process has been planned.

Our lighting project's main role was uplifting and enhancing the overall appearance of the applied area. We took consideration of the architectural concept as a starting point for the project and strive to achieve reflect the glory of the amazing landscape. Unique Anatolian Lighting Pole and Anatolian Bollard Light were designed and implemented to use for outdoor lighting area. One again design on inspirations from nature, the form, and architectural concept reflections are used for shaping the true product for the right area.

While creating well-lit areas, not ignoring aesthetic concerns, reflecting the rich cultural and ethnic characteristics of nations in international projects such as in the Dubai Environmental Lighting project, creating useful and reliable areas for residents of the illuminated area are just some of the details we take responsibility. As Light34 Lighting, we constantly think and work so that lighting is a part of life that appeals to the soul and nature, away from only a technical detail, and makes life easier for people. Our designs are shaped by the principles and discipline of our company in line with the wishes and demands of our customers, as in this project.

Bollard lightings took place according to the modern architectural concept with an unsymmetrical layout around the building and were used in lighting walkways and transition areas in environmental lighting. The lighting of the roads leading to the areas where people will spend time to take a break and relax and the continuation of the aesthetic line was provided with Anatolian bollard outdoor lighting elements.

[light34-lighting]

Jarve Keskus Landscape Lighting / Estonia

Square Lighting Poles have been used in the landscape lighting project of the aesthetic and social area of the Jarve Keskus Shopping Centre, located in the heart of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, both in accordance with the architectural concept and to improve visibility for pedestrians and vehicles. The 6 metre high monumental urban lighting column Square is at the centre of the project, both as an outdoor luminaire and as a landscape element. In addition to functional lighting, where all the details of landscape lighting are addressed, decorative lighting elements are also included.

Enter the outdoor lighting pole project, a venture aimed at enhancing the aesthetics, safety, and overall experience of visitors to Jarve Keskus. This endeavor not only brightens the physical space but also symbolizes the vitality and progressiveness of Tallinn's urban landscape.

Jarve Keskus enjoys a prime location in the bustling district of Mustamäe, Tallinn. Situated at the intersection of several major roads, including Pärnu Highway and Ehitajate Road, the mall serves as a pivotal hub for locals and tourists alike. Surrounding the mall are a blend of residential neighborhoods, educational institutions, and commercial establishments, forming a vibrant tapestry of urban life.

However, despite its centrality, the area around Jarve Keskus experiences subdued lighting after dusk, creating pockets of darkness that may deter foot traffic and compromise safety. Moreover, the absence of adequate illumination detracts from the visual appeal of the mall and its surroundings.

The outdoor lighting pole project for Jarve Keskus encompasses a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the area's nighttime ambiance. Expert lighting designers have crafted a bespoke illumination plan tailored to accentuate the architectural features of Jarve Keskus while ensuring optimal visibility and safety.

LED lighting fixtures are strategically positioned along pedestrian pathways, parking areas, to create a harmonious balance between brightness and ambiance. Emphasis is placed on minimizing light pollution and glare, thereby fostering a comfortable environment for pedestrians and neighboring residents.The lighting poles themselves serve as artistic elements, blending seamlessly with the contemporary aesthetics of Jarve Keskus.

Custom-designed fixtures and ornamental elements add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the outdoor space, transforming it into an inviting destination for evening strolls and social gatherings.Efficient led modules of Light34 enable efficient energy consumption and proactive maintenance, ensuring reliability and longevity of the installation.

The outdoor lighting pole project for Jarve Keskus mall represents a transformative endeavor that transcends mere illumination.It symbolizes the commitment of Tallinn to create vibrant, safe, and inclusive urban environments that enrich the lives of its residents and visitors. By infusing creativity, technology, and community collaboration, this project not only brightens the night but also illuminates the path towards a brighter future for Tallinn's cityscape.

[light34-lighting]

The history of lighting in the Ottoman Empire and Turkey

Would you like to take a look at the lighting history of modern Turkey? An article shedding light on the history of lighting in our country, starting from torches, candles, oil lamps, evolving into LED lighting today, travelling from palaces to streets, is waiting for you. The interesting stories of the gas houses established during the Ottoman Empire reveal the development of today's lighting technologies. We are now sharing with you the journey of lighting, which pioneered social life and cultural development, from kerosene to electricity in Turkey.

The journey of light from torch to electricity

If we ask what are the basic needs of humanity in order to survive, we are sure that ‘lighting’ would be in the first place. Indeed, mankind's effort to illuminate the night and darkness has been going on for thousands of years and this effort is one of the main actors in the development of today's world civilisation.

The illumination of villages, towns and cities, which are collective living spaces, is among the most important stages of modern urbanism.

In this article, we will take a brief look at the history of lighting within the framework of urbanism in Turkey. We have mentioned in our previous articles that the first illuminated street in history was Kurtuluş Street in Hatay, which is located within the borders of Turkey. This progress, which started with torches in the Roman period, continued during the Ottoman Empire. However, from the 17th century onwards, different practices were adopted, and the history that started with torches continued with candles and oil lamps, and then turned into a journey extending to gas and then to electricity.

First lighting in the Ottoman Empire: Torches, candles and oil lamps

Candles, oil lamps and torches were the main instruments of lighting in the Ottoman period. In outdoor spaces, certain central points were illuminated with torches. However, since the main material of Ottoman houses was wood, torches were a very uncontrolled and risky lighting method and were not preferred on streets and avenues. However, when darkness began to fall on the streets, lanterns would be lit and people would walk around with lanterns in their hands. These lanterns were portable oil lamps made of copper, bronze or silver with glass. Especially in the 17th century, during the reign of Sultan Murad IV (1623-1640), it was forbidden to walk the streets at night after Isha prayer without a lantern. This prohibition was a step towards ensuring security and order.

At that time, palaces, mansions and houses were illuminated with kindling, oil lamps and wax. In time, wealthy families started to hang oil lamps in front of their mansions. These lamps were lit at the evening prayer and left burning until the morning prayer. These oil lamps can be considered as the beginning of the first street lighting efforts in the Ottoman Empire.

Tulip period and çırağan pleasure

By the 18th century, Istanbul had experienced a very special period in terms of lighting: Tulip period. During the 12-year tulip period, which was called the period of debauchery and was the beginning of the decline of the Ottoman Empire, special entertainments called çırağan pleasure were organised. Hundreds of oil lamps would be lit, these oil lamps would be placed among the tulips, candles would be tied to the backs of turtles and even to the backs of concubines, who were called kalfa at the time, and the dignitaries of the time would enjoy themselves in the glittering gardens during these entertainments organised in the mansions on the shore of the Bosphorus where Çırağan Palace is located today. Perhaps the first widespread civil illumination in the open air in the Ottoman Empire was experienced in these çırağan parties.

If you are wondering what çırağan, which gives its name to the most beautiful shores of the Bosphorus, means, let us explain; In Persian language, lighting tools such as candles and torches were called çerağ/çırağ, and çırağan, derived from this word, meant oil lamp. The centre of Çırağan parties was the mansion of Nevşehirli Damat İbrahim Pasha, the son-in-law and grand vizier of Sultan Ahmet III, and the name of this mansion turned into Çırağan Mansion because of these illuminated nights.  

Development of lighting in the world: The gas revolution

While candles and oil lamps were used in the Ottoman Empire, lighting technology was advancing rapidly in Europe. At the end of the 18th century, the gas obtained from coal created a revolution in the field of lighting. Firstly, Belgian pharmacist Jan Pieter Minckelers illuminated his room at the University of Louvain with gas in 1753. Later, the British inventor William Murdoch pioneered the widespread use of this technology by lighting his house with gas in 1792.

In 1807, 13 gas lamps connected by pipes were tested in London. Even though gas was criticised for its foul odour, it soon began to be used in important European cities. Cities such as Paris, Brussels and Berlin became modern cities lit by gas at the beginning of the 19th century.

Gas in the Ottoman Empire: Dolmabahçe Gas House

The Ottoman Empire was closely following these developments in Europe. In 1856, Istanbul's first gasworks, the Dolmabahçe Gasworks, was established. This gasworks, which can still be seen today in the area behind Dolmabahçe Palace, between Beşiktaş Stadium and Maçka Democracy Park, was originally built for the lighting and heating of Dolmabahçe Palace. However, in a short time, the surplus gas was also used to illuminate the Beyoğlu region.

Istiklal Street (then known as Cadde-i Kebir) was the first street to be illuminated with gas. Subsequently, neighbourhoods such as Galata, Tophane and Harbiye also benefited from this modern lighting. The Dolmabahçe Gasworks was one of the important steps Istanbul took towards becoming a modern city.

Lighting on the Anatolian Side: Kuzguncuk and Kadıköy Gas Houses

On the Anatolian side, the first modern lighting works started with the establishment of Kuzguncuk Gasworks in 1865. This gas house was used for the lighting of Beylerbeyi Palace. Then, in 1891, Kadıköy Hasanpaşa Gas House was built. This gas house contributed to the modernisation of the region by illuminating the streets and houses of the Anatolian Side. If you want to see Hasanpaşa Gas House, it is used as a museum and event space today.

The first lighting facility for social purposes: Yedikule Gasworks

The illumination of the walled areas of Istanbul was realised with the establishment of the Yedikule Gasworks in 1880. This gasworks was the first gasworks built for the use of the people of Istanbul and the city, not primarily for the palaces. By illuminating the important avenues and streets of the historical peninsula with gas, this gasworks revitalised the night life of Istanbul and played an important role in the social life of the city. The gas was also extended to Eyüp, Bakırköy and Yeşilköy. 

If you are wondering what these gas houses looked like, today Yedikule Gas House and Kadıköy Hasanpaşa Gas House are open to visitors as a museum and event space.

The lighting provided by the Istanbul gasworks reached its highest level in 1914. The city's main avenues and all central streets (first and second order avenues and streets), government offices, railway stations and mansions were illuminated with gas lamps, and the lighting service, one of the most basic objectives of modern urbanism, was realised almost throughout Istanbul. The people of Istanbul became more socialised with the confidence and comfort provided by the lighting, and areas such as Beyoğlu, İstiklal Street, Şehremini and Direklerarası became the new addresses of nightlife. In 1914, Istanbul gas stations supplied a total of 8742 street lamps in Beyazıt, Fatih, Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş Yeniköy, Kadıköy, Üsküdar and Hisar regions. At the same time, there were 600 lamps in government offices, 300 of which were lit until morning.  

Istanbul Şehremaneti (municipality) was responsible for the maintenance of these street lanterns. The monthly cost of lighting the lanterns every evening and extinguishing them in the morning, cleaning the lanterns and replacing their wicks regularly was around 85-90 thousand kuruş.

Izmir started to be illuminated in 1876

Izmir, one of the largest and most important cities of the Ottoman Empire in terms of trade and population, inhabited by a large number of Levantines, had also established a gasworks in the same years as Istanbul and started its lighting journey. In fact, the first step taken to establish a gasworks was at the same time as the Dolmabahçe Gasworks, but for various reasons the establishment of the gasworks was delayed until 1876. After this date, the streets and avenues of Izmir began to shine like those in Istanbul. Before the establishment of the gasworks in İzmir, lighting was provided by oil lamps and candles, as was the case throughout the Ottoman Empire.

The arrival of electricity: First electric lighting in Istanbul

Electricity generation in Turkey started for the first time in 1888 with the opening of an electricity factory at the Golden Horn Shipyard in Istanbul. Due to the security concerns of Sultan Abdülhamid II, the electricity produced here was not supplied to the city. In fact, the use of electricity was banned and the lighting of Istanbul with electricity was delayed. Despite this ban, institutions and organisations such as the Ottoman Bank and Pera Palas Hotel began to generate their own electricity and illuminate their interiors.  Electric lighting, which started in Europe in the 1880s, reached Istanbul only in the early 20th century. After Sultan Abdülhamit's abdication in 1909, Istanbul welcomed electric lighting throughout the city with the concession granted to the Hungarian Ganz Joint Stock Electricity Company in 1910.

In 1914, with the establishment of the Silahtarağa Power Plant, the streets and houses of Istanbul began to be illuminated with electricity. This was a turning point in the modernisation process of Istanbul and Turkey.

When describing the history of lighting in Turkey, the examples are always based on Istanbul. Naturally, since Istanbul was the capital and the largest city of the Ottoman Empire, many firsts and innovations took place here, but there are also exceptions. For example, the first water-powered electricity was generated not in Istanbul, but in Tarsus, a city far away from the capital. In 1902, electricity was supplied to Tarsus with a dynamo connected to a water mill, and even in 1905, a power plant was established in Bentbaşı, 2 kilometres away from Tarsus, and thus the streets of Tarsus and some houses were introduced to electric lighting. In 1909, one year before Istanbul, the people of the city began to experience the advantages of electricity and lighting, the greatest of its benefits.

When were the streets of Ankara illuminated?

Before the Republic, Ankara was a town known for its mud in winter and dust in summer, far from the modern technologies of the time. It did not even have a lighting system similar to the one in Istanbul, which was produced from gas. Ankara had to wait for the establishment of the Ankara government to be introduced to lighting. On 27 December 1919, Ankara became the centre of the national independence movement, and although the parliament was opened on 23 April 1920, it was only in 1921 that kerosene generators were purchased with a loan provided by the Ankara Government to the Ankara Şehremaneti (municipality) and the streets of Ankara began to be illuminated. In 1923, the Republic was established and Ankara was declared the capital city. In 1925, Ankara Municipality produced electricity for the first time with a 35-watt power plant established in Bentderesi, and this electricity was tested in its building on Anafartalar Street and in a few houses. However, this electricity was not generated by water power, but by a tractor-like wheeled vehicle called a locomobile turning a dynamo. Later, on 10 October 1928, with the approval of the Council of Ministers, Ankara Electricity Turkish Joint Stock Company was established and more buildings began to receive electricity and streets and avenues began to be illuminated.

Transition to lighting in other Anatolian cities

Other Anatolian cities switched to electric lighting step by step without ever being introduced to gas lighting. Before the Republic, Uşak in 1910, Isparta in 1917, Eskişehir in 1919, Adana, Artvin, İnebolu, Akşehir, Mersin, Trabzon in 1925, Aksaray, Ayvalık, Bursa, İzmit, Konya, Kütahya, Malatya and Sivas were electrified in 1926.

Light is a journey to civilisation

The history of illumination in Turkey is a journey from candles to gas and then to electricity. This journey is not only a technological development, but also a story of civilisation. From the oil lamps hung in front of mansions to the days when the streets of Istanbul were illuminated with the gas lamps of the Dolmabahçe Gasworks and the rickety electricity distributed from the Silahtarağa Electricity Factory, behind every period lies the human longing for civilisation and the search for the better and more beautiful.

Today, while walking under the bright lights of street lamps that cover our streets, squares, parks and gardens like pearl necklaces, remembering the history of this light will enable us to build a bridge between the past and the future. Working with an innovative vision in outdoor lighting, Light 34 works to illuminate the darkness in the light of this history.

[light34-lighting]

Effects of Lighting on Human Psychology

‘Light is more light (licht mehr licht)’ said the famous German philosopher Goethe. This is one of the most succinct words explaining that life means light. Only Goethe? The great inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci summarised the value of light about five hundred years ago: ‘Light is the source of everything that comes into the world.’ What about the Sinop-born philosopher Diogenes' words to Alexander the Great, who stood in front of him and blocked the sunlight, “I ask for nothing more than shade”? How can it be explained more concisely that there is nothing more important than light?

Light and the state of well-being resulting from light is an indisputably accepted fact in the world of science, in all cultures and even in all religions. The Qur'anic verse Nur states that ‘Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth’. The goodness and beauty of Allah is identified with light. The Bible also emphasises that light is the opposite of darkness and represents goodness. In the Torah, ‘...and God saw that the light was good’, it is explained that goodness comes from light. In Greek mythology, Apollo is known as the god of light and this name is identified with everything that is good for the soul such as art, sun, music.

While light has such a power and meaning, lighting is of great importance for times and places where light is insufficient. Especially for human mood and quality of life. While bad lighting negatively affects our mood, well-designed lighting with the right light fixtures and light sources covers many factors such as productivity, motivation, focus, rest, security and creates positive psychological effects on people.

What is lighting?

In its most general form, lighting is to make the dark environment visible with artificial light sources such as lamps or luminaires when natural light is insufficient. In addition to making the environment visible, lighting is also used to achieve various functional and aesthetic effects. So much so that good lighting can even improve the appearance of a space.

As Light 34, in this article, which we have prepared in the light of scientific facts as well as our experiences, we will discuss the effects of lighting on human psychology in indoor and outdoor spaces.

Warm light or cold light?

Before moving on to the effects of lighting on human psychology, it is useful to take a closer look at light colours. In general, light temperatures are divided into two as warm and cold, and this distinction is determined by the Kelvin (K) value of light. As the Kelvin value increases, the colour and temperature of the light cools down, but the light becomes more balanced and neutral and approaches daylight values.

2700K-3000K: Red and yellow tones predominate. This warm light creates a relaxing and calming atmosphere. It is preferred in homes and resting areas. It is the light in halogen or incandescent lamps, but led lamps can also offer the same values.

3500K-4500K: Neutral white light. It is neither relaxing nor tiring. It offers a stabilising effect and is widely used in offices and educational areas.

5000K and above: It is cold white and in daylight tones. It increases attention and alertness. This type of lighting is effective in places such as workspaces and hospitals.

Effects of indoor lighting on human psychology

Lighting is an essential part of human life and can have profound effects on psychological state as well as physical comfort. Numerous studies show that the right lighting design can improve people's quality of life. Since interiors need lighting even in daylight, lighting according to the purpose of the space is very important.

Indoor lighting and mood:

It is known that lighting in warm white tones creates a feeling of peace and relaxation in people, so it should be preferred in resting areas such as home. Cool white light is often used in workplaces because it increases mental alertness and focus.

According to a 2015 study, lighting systems that mimic natural daylight are effective in reducing symptoms of depression. In particular, it was observed that the moods of individuals with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) changed positively with lighting similar to natural light. However, it has been observed that exposure to intense bright light at night has negative effects on psychological, cardiovascular and metabolic functions (Cho et al., 2015).

-Indoor lighting and productivity: Do you complain about your or your employees' productivity? Are you having problems focusing at work? Maybe there is a problem with your office or industrial lighting. Visualise large government offices and modern offices and you will remember that most of them use cold white light. Indeed, cold light (above 3500 K) is generally preferred in places such as workplaces and offices, schools, hospitals, government agencies. Research has shown that high intensity and cold light can improve the performance of employees. Especially in educational institutions, it has been observed that this type of lighting increases the focus rate of students (Zill et al., 2012).

-Indoor lighting and sleep patterns: If you start dozing off in front of the television at home, but when you go to your bedroom and switch on the lamp to turn on your bed, inappropriate lighting may be responsible for this unpleasant situation. It has been proven that lighting with blue wavelengths, such as LED lights, suppresses melatonin secretion, disrupts the biological clock and negatively affects sleep patterns. Therefore, it is recommended to use dim and yellow-toned lights in bedrooms.

In summary, the correct use of Kelvin values plays a critical role in creating an atmosphere suitable for the function of the space.

-Interior lighting and aesthetics: Interior architecture produces solutions to offer the most appropriate design to the people in the space according to functional, structural and aesthetic criteria. Lighting is one of the biggest trump cards of interior architecture. Good lighting creates both functional and aesthetic solutions and gives identity to the units in the space. It makes living spaces more elegant. In this way, it contributes to the quality of life of users and thus their happiness.

Effects of outdoor lighting on human psychology

Lighting used in outdoor spaces affects both individual psychology and social behaviour. Whether it is public areas (parks, gardens, squares, streets, walkways, sports facilities, stations and terminals, etc.) or private property areas (private facilities such as factories, hotels, mansions, sites, car parks, gardens, buildings, etc.), properly illuminated outdoor spaces positively affect human psychology and behaviour. This effect can be evaluated in a wide range from feeling of security to socialising.

-Outdoor lighting and sense of security: Adequate and balanced outdoor lighting increases the sense of security in people. Especially in areas such as parks, streets and car parks, appropriate lighting systems reduce the feeling of fear at night, allowing people to use these areas more freely. If the corner where you park your car safely during the day has turned into a dark nook at night, bad lighting is responsible for the fear that appears in you while getting into your car.

-The relationship between outdoor lighting and landscape and plants: A poorly lit garden or park can remind most people of a horror film scene. On the contrary, a well and correctly illuminated park invites people into it. You have seen many examples of this in the cinema; the famous Central Park in New York turns into the setting of horror films with bad lighting and romantic love films with good lighting.

Lighting used in landscaping becomes an important instrument to emphasise the natural beauty of plants while creating an aesthetic visuality. Lighting fixtures placed at the right points emphasise the elegance and natural texture of the plants. This not only creates a decorative value, but also creates a feeling of closeness to nature and relaxes you spiritually. In addition, designs that reflect the natural colours of plants at night with the right lighting increase people's desire to spend time in these areas. In addition, special lighting systems suitable for plant growth are also important in terms of maintaining the vitality of gardens. According to a 2021 study, warm light makes people feel more comfortable in pedestrian areas in urban parks and reduces the feeling of fatigue. At the same time, optimal light comfort can be achieved in these areas with the right level of horizontal lighting and appropriate colour temperature (Zhang & Dai, 2021).

-Outdoor lighting and socialisation: Outdoor lighting should have aesthetic values as well as functional. Lighting is extremely important for the design of social spaces. Decorative lighting used in areas such as city squares, restaurant gardens or parks creates a warm atmosphere that brings people together. LED light chains or colour-changing lighting, for example, create a positive ambience in social areas, giving a sense of gathering.

-Outdoor lighting and attention orientation: Lighting is a powerful tool for directing people's attention to specific areas and shaping the perception of space. For example, it is possible to emphasise a work of art outdoors (in a park or square) with focal lights, or to create a safe but cosy atmosphere outdoors with horizontal lighting. The correct use of lighting increases the aesthetic value of the space as well as its functionality.

-Outdoor lighting and light pollution: Outdoor lighting is of course very necessary, but excessive or improperly prepared outdoor lighting can create light pollution. This situation both creates an environmental problem and is harmful for human psychology. Exposure to intense artificial light at night can have negative effects on psychological, cardiovascular and metabolic functions, as mentioned above.

In short, don't just say it's just lighting. It is possible to increase your quality of life and feel happier, more productive, more peaceful and even more social with the right lighting both indoors and outdoors. You only need to consult experienced experts who will guide you correctly. Providing services to more than 40 countries in the lighting sector, Light 34 is ready to help you. You can be sure that you will find your own light in Light 34.

[light34-lighting]

The world's first illuminated street

City lighting as we know it began in the 1800s. In 1817, a street in Baltimore, one of the USA's major port cities, was lit by gas lamps. In 1857, arc lamps were installed on the rue Imperiale in Lyon, France, making it the first street to be lit by electricity. In Turkey, today's Istiklal Street (Cadde-i Kebir) began to be lit in 1856 with surplus gas from the Gazhane behind the Dolmabahçe Palace (next to today's Beşiktaş Park Stadium).

Let's go back a little further in time: before the invention of electricity and gas lamps, were cities dark at night? Did shops close early, shopping stopped, streets emptied, everyone retreated to their homes and life came to a standstill? Did those who had to go out try to reach their destination with hasty and frightened steps on the eerie streets? 

We are sure that at that time the oil lamps and candles burning in the houses added a flickering and eerie atmosphere to the silhouette of the city, and that it took courage to go out into the streets when there was no light. On the other hand, life on the streets does not stop just because it gets dark. It would be contrary to the indomitable nature of man to succumb to darkness.  So what would you say if we told you that the first city to fight and win the first war against darkness is now in Turkey?

The world's first illuminated street: Hatay Antakya Kurtulus Street

Before the invention of gas and electric lamps, important streets and avenues in the world were illuminated with torches, oil lamps and even candles. The first place where lighting, one of the most important stages of modern urbanism, started is Kurtuluş Street passing through the middle of the historical city centre of Antakya.

Founded around 300 BC on the banks of the Asi River, the lifeblood of the region, Antakya soon became the 3rd largest city of the Roman Empire and the 4th largest city in the world with a population of three hundred thousand. Kurtuluş Street was known as ‘Herod Street’ during the ancient Roman period and became not only a transit route but also the centre of the city's social, cultural and commercial life. This street was also a part of the trade route known as ‘Via Maris’ in ancient times, connecting the Mediterranean to Mesopotamia. Today, Kurtuluş Street is located in the part of Antakya between the Asi (Orontes) River and Habib Neccar (Silpius) Mountain, between the Barracks Building and the Dörtayak Quarter, and this location has not changed since the foundation of Antakya. On the street are the Habib-i Neccar Mosque, the first Islamic place of worship in Anatolia, the Greek Orthodox Church, the famous Long Bazaar and many historical buildings, mosques, tombs and churches. During the Ottoman period, the street was known as Kışla-Dörtayak Street, and during the French occupation, it was mapped as Cedid Street (Rue Jadid), and when Hatay was liberated from occupation and joined modern Turkey, it was named ‘Kurtuluş Street’.

However, what makes this street unique in terms of modern urbanism and urban planning is that it is illuminated at night. During the Roman Empire, in the 1st century A.D., rich merchants and administrators living in Antakya wanted the street to remain lively at night, and Roman engineers managed to illuminate this street with torches and oil lamps placed on the columns. Thus, life in the city continued after sunset, and the city continued its growth and development by turning into a centre of attraction. This lighting system, which was a revolutionary step for that period, made Antakya the first city in the world to have street lighting in the history of modern urbanism.

A milestone in the history of urban life

The illumination of Antakya Kurtuluş Street nearly 2000 years ago signalled not only a technical development but also a transformation of urban life. In addition to increasing security in the city, this lighting revitalised social life, supported trade, shaped the city's identity and played a major role in making Antakya the fourth largest city in the world. Today, urban lighting is an indispensable part of modern cities. Proper lighting of streets and avenues, parks and important buildings not only makes an aesthetic contribution, but also adds a soul to the city, strengthens people's bond with the city and improves the quality of life of city dwellers.

Kurtulus Street after the earthquake

As of 2025, the centre of Hatay and Antakya is a giant construction site. This situation seems to continue for a few more years. On 6 February 2023, the city's Kurtuluş Street, which has recovered from the earthquake, is preparing for its rebirth. The street, where new historical remains dating back to 1500 years ago were unearthed during the debris removal works, often reminds us that it is a great open-air museum. Visiting this street, which will soon become even more beautiful than before, and witnessing its story on the spot is one of the duties of everyone to revitalise Hatay, which is also a city of tourism. Let's not forget that Kurtuluş Street is not just a street; it is a common heritage of humanity that hides the footprints of thousands of years of civilisations and sheds light on history.

[light34-lighting]

Modern Outdoor Lighting Project on Gorgiladze Street / Georgia

Gorgiladze Street is a prominent thoroughfare located in the heart of Batumi, a vibrant city on the coast of the Black Sea in Georgia. Known for its blend of modern architecture and historical charm, Batumi is a significant tourist destination in the region. The street itself is characterized by a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational areas, making it a bustling hub of activity.

[light34-lighting]

Anatolian Bollard Landscape Lighting

Key criteria for choosing the right light source are not limited to operating costs, but maintenance cost considerations also carry significant weight. Thanks to their long lifetime and their less frequent need for maintenance, these costs are very low with LEDs. Our led bollard model Anatolian Bollard will be the great choice with its unique architectural form, long lifetime and ergonomic lighting design.

Urban lighting element Anatolian bollard heights can adjustable from 50cm to 250 cm, led power output can reach up to 20 W with 121lm/watt. Our unique bollard redefining landscape lighting ambiance, restoring safety for gardens, pathways, parks, public squares, commercial buildings landscape such as plaza and shopping mall lighting projects. Functional bollard lawn lights  illuminate the surroundings with a glare-free asymmetric or symmetric distribution. Modern design Anatolian bollards focus the light on every unique outdoor lighting areas, and avoid scattering effect and beautify the environment.