Using lights in the age of Globalization to achieve new aims in studios of Interior design.
Published in Arts & Humanities
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?oi=bibs&cluster=12529313941078029080&btnI=1&hl=en
How lighting became more than just illumination in interior design studios
When people think about lighting in interior design, they usually associate it with visibility or aesthetics. But while exploring design studios and educational environments, I realized that lighting influences much more than what we see—it affects how students think, feel, and create.
That realization became the foundation of this research.
Looking beyond artificial illumination
Interior design studios are spaces where students spend long hours sketching, building models, presenting ideas, and collaborating. Their performance depends not only on the physical layout but also on the quality of the lighting surrounding them.
I wanted to investigate how natural and artificial lighting could be integrated to create environments that improve creativity, comfort, and learning.
Discovering the relationship between light and human behavior
As I examined lighting strategies in educational studios, one finding became increasingly evident.
Lighting directly influences students' concentration, mood, visual comfort, and cognitive performance. Poor lighting can cause eye strain, fatigue, and reduced productivity, while well-designed lighting creates a healthier and more inspiring learning environment.
Learning from lighting design principles
Rather than considering lighting as a technical requirement, the research explored it as an essential component of interior architecture.
Natural daylight, skylights, artificial lighting systems, light distribution, color temperature, and surface reflectance all contribute to the quality of studio spaces. Carefully balancing these elements enhances visual performance while supporting users' psychological and physiological well-being.
Comparing existing studios with better design approaches
One of the most valuable aspects of this study was evaluating existing interior design studios alongside contemporary lighting strategies.
The analysis revealed that many educational studios rely heavily on artificial lighting without considering daylight integration, glare control, or user comfort. In contrast, successful examples demonstrated how combining natural lighting with efficient artificial systems creates more flexible, energy-efficient, and creative learning environments.
What creates an effective lighting environment
Throughout the research, several principles consistently emerged:
- Maximizing natural daylight whenever possible.
- Integrating artificial lighting with daylight.
- Controlling glare and excessive brightness.
- Selecting lighting that supports visual tasks.
- Considering users' health and psychological comfort.
- Creating flexible lighting systems for different studio activities.
- Improving energy efficiency without compromising design quality.
The objective is not simply to illuminate a space, but to create an environment that actively supports learning, creativity, and well-being.
Turning research into practical design solutions
The research proposed practical lighting strategies for interior design studios, including optimized skylight placement, controlled daylight systems, balanced artificial lighting, and flexible lighting layouts that respond to different educational activities. These recommendations aim to improve students' creative performance while promoting healthier and more sustainable learning environments.
Where I'd like to take this next
Although this research focused on interior design studios, its findings apply to many educational and creative spaces.
As learning environments continue to evolve, I believe lighting should be considered a fundamental design element—not merely a technical system. Thoughtfully designed lighting has the power to improve education, enhance creativity, and create spaces where people perform at their best.
Because successful design studios are shaped not only by what students create—but also by the light that inspires them.
Personal Data
§ Name: Sahar Ezz EL Arab Ramadan Said .
§ Position: Associated professor in Architecture department,
in Higher Technology Institute in 10th of Ramadan.
§ Department: Architecture Department.
§ Contact: saharezz_1@hotmail.com .
§ Mobile No: 01152262151 .
Specilization
§ General Specialization: Decor department.
§ Specific Field : Interior Architecture .
Academic Positions.
· Associated professor in Architecture department in Higher Technology Institute in 10 th of Ramadan (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from first term in 2019 till this date 16-12-2021 .
· Lecture in Architecture department in El Shorouk High Institute of Engineering (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2017 - 2019.
· Lecture in Architecture department in Tebes High Institute of Engineering ( Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2014-2017.
Activites and Experiences.
1-Participated in many Exhibitions in Interior Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts 2020 -2021 (IN Zamelk in big halls in the faculty).
2-Shared in competition of furniture for Governorates of Egypt that was organized by Ministry of War Production in 2018 for making economy and multiuse furniture in Asmart Buildings followed to the government.
Research Interests.
-Lights- Desgin of Interior studios.
- Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture
BIO
§ DR Sahar Ezz EL Arab received her PHD in Décor Department (Interior Architecture) from Faculty of Fine Arts (Alexandria University in 2013.
§ worked as lecture in Teba Institute of Engineering (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) from 2014-2017&
shared in Control tasks in Teba Academy from 2014-2017.
§ moved to El Shorouk Institute of Engineering (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) from 2017 – 2019.
§ had many certifications in quality from Quality Assurance Authority In El Shorouk Academy in 2017-2018-2019, also worked as assistant director in Quality committee from 2017-2019, and an internal examiner in Quality of all departments in El Shorouk Academy in 2019.
§ works till this date 16-12-2021 in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan (teaching Interior Architecture subjects in Architecture department) as Associated professor and Department Quality Coordinator.
§ worked as Quality Coordinator in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan2020-2021, as prepared with her quality teams The ministry's annual file for the department, and all courses files of the department`s subjects
§ working in preparing the department program to Nars2018.
§ Worked as main responsible in control committee last second term and summer term last year 2020-2021in Higher Technology in 10th of Ramadan.
Qualifications.
§ 2013 phd degree in Decor department - Interior Architecture.
(The balancing between human behavior and residential interior spaces). faculty of Fine Arts (Alexandria University)
§ 2003 Master degree in Decor department - Interior Architecture. (Islamic Architecture and its effect on Interior architecture of modern house) .
faculty of Fine Arts (Helwan University) .
§ 1997 B.SC in Decor department - Interior Architecture. faculty of Fine Arts (Helwan University ) .
Academic Positions.
· Associated professor in Architecture department in Higher Technology Institute in 10 th of Ramadan (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from first term in 2019 till this date 16-12-2021 .
· Lecture in Architecture department in El Shorouk High Institute of Engineering (Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2017 - 2019.
· Lecture in Architecture department in Tebes High Institute of Engineering ( Interior Architecture courses+architecture courses) from 2014-2017.
Activites and Experiences.
1-Participated in many Exhibitions in Interior Architecture in the Faculty of Fine Arts 2020 -2021 (IN Zamelk in big halls in the faculty).
2-Shared in competition of furniture for Governorates of Egypt that was organized by Ministry of War Production in 2018 for making economy and multiuse furniture in Asmart Buildings followed to the government.
Research Interests.
-Lights- Desgin of Interior studios.
- Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture
Publication (The most important researches )
1-The balance between subjective and objective in Interior design: In July 2016,(International Design Journal ),folder 6 .
2-Design Solutions for administration buildings: In July 2017, (International Design Journal ), folder 7 .
3-Using lights to enhance performance in studios of Interior design: In 2018 ,(Fourth Research Youth Conference ), Arts, Tourism and Antiquities Sector.
4-Utilizing the techniques of Interior architectural elements of Mamluk architecture in modern architecture : In 28-30 April 2018 ,(The third international conference for creativity and development in architecture, heritage, arts and literature - Alexandria ).
5-Standards for evaluating the compatibility of interior design of residential buildings With its inhabitants in terms of (mental health - physical)As goals for sustainability: In 13-15 December 2018,( First International Conference on Sustainability )- Environmental Efficiency for a Better Living.
6-Using Lights in the age of Globalization to achieve new aims in studios of Interior design: In 2018, International Conference of Innovation and Development in Architecture ,Arts and Literature – (International Design Journal ), folder 7 .
7-Grids as important elements for Good Design : In27 -28 February 2018, (First Scientific Conference of the Faculty of Applied Arts - October University).
8-Acontemporary vision of the Interior design of Architecture and Arts Academic Institutions in Egypt : In26 July 2020,( International Design Journal) .
9-Finding a correlation between the Interior Design and the Urban Character :2020 ,(Journal of AL Azhar University Engineering sector ).
10-Necessarry Consideration for drawing halls in Interior design studios: January 2021 ,( Journal of Architecture, Arts and Human Sciences published by the Arab Society for Islamic Civilization and Arts)).
11-Lights only to make a creative design:2020,1th ICEE2020 ( 1st International Conference on Engineering Education Present and Future 2020 )-Assuit university.
12-Guide for longevity and flexibility in Interior architecture ,Published: 28 April 2025,Volume 2, article number 46, (2025)-Springer Nature,Discover cities Journal
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44327-025-00066-2
13-A Special Equation between Visual Lightness and the Luxurious Impression of Interior Architecture through the New Classic,September 10, 2024,(Engineering and Technology journal )Online ISSN : 2456-3358
https://everant.org/index.php/etj/article/view/1527
14-Sustainable Development Interaction between Humans and the Interior Architecture:September 23, 2024,(Engineering and Technology journal ),Online ISSN : 2456-3358
https://everant.org/index.php/etj/article/view/1514
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