It is believed that the architectural lighting section in projects of modern residential complexes increases the status and recognition. Facade lighting in advertising materials is presented as an additional plus of the object. Continuing this trend, the question arises: if all residential complexes have architectural lighting, will it then be the “highlight” of the project?
The trend for facade lighting for residential complex appeared in Moscow, where the real estate market is most developed, and where developers face the difficult task of attracting buyers, which is solved in various ways. Leading architectural firms are invited to develop impressive and unique residential complex concepts and landscaped areas, focused on target user groups, etc. This trend is gradually spreading to other cities and regions of our country. It is important to note that the volume of construction, budgets and quality of the living environment in the regions are still lower than in the capital. And the issue of introducing lighting solutions as a tool for raising the status of an object and improving the aesthetic component is becoming more controversial.

PROBLEMS
A number of problems can be identified in the field of architectural lighting for modern residential complexes in Russian cities. They lead to the fact that it does not always work as a tool for improving the quality of the environment and creating an aesthetic evening image.

Problem 1
Ignoring the role of the illuminated object in the surrounding development and the city as a whole. For example, when building new areas, many residential complexes are commissioned with ready-made facade lighting. It is often possible to observe how all the objects of the complex merge and become equivalent, because the environment is not structured and there are no well-thought-out accents.

For example, the Concept of a Unified Light and Color Environment of the City of Moscow contains, in addition to specific solutions for Moscow, the basic methodological principles used in light master planning. Residential areas are part of the so-called “light fabric” of the city, as opposed to the “light frame” that includes key elements: the core of the historical center, important public areas, high-rise dominants, and the main transport routes connecting all of this. That is, the territory of residential development is a background; it should not be highlighted with light everywhere. Public buildings can become accents in it: shopping centers, sports complexes, etc. According to the Concept, architectural lighting is recommended for residential buildings if they have special architectural or compositional significance. That is, these are either high-rise dominants or part of panoramic views of embankments located “on the planning axes of squares, axes and bends of radial and ring highways and embankments, on the elevated relief of squares, highways, embankments and boulevards, at their intersections.” And for the residential environment, the tasks of primary importance are high-quality utilitarian lighting of pedestrian areas and lighting of the first floors.

Problem 2
The second problem is the lighting of residential buildings that do not have architectural significance. Housing is mostly mass development, where simple or even standard architectural solutions are used. There is usually little to do for lighting designers on the facades of such buildings.
It is also important for housing to minimize glare in windows. In such cases, typical lighting solutions are often used: highlighting piers or the upper tier with light. There are also decorative lighting solutions – contour self-illuminating lines, “stars”, “bows”, etc., which do not work with architecture at all. Often this looks unaesthetic, does not form the recognition of the evening appearance of the building and does not emphasize the architecture. If you think about where and why to integrate light, how it will interact with materials and color, then even a simple facade can be made aesthetic.

Problem 3
The third problem can be attributed to the budget. In general, lighting design is not a priority expense item for developers. Architectural lighting is usually considered a decorative element on which you can save. Facade lighting is not completely excluded, but is implemented using budget and cheap lighting equipment. This is usually the reason for problems with non-working or incorrectly working luminaries on new buildings. And as a result – instead of an attractive evening appearance, they get the opposite effect.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS
In order architectural lighting could really work for the benefit of the image of the residential complex and the city, it’s necessary to make a pre-project analysis and understanding of the significance of the object in the environment. The optimal tool for solving this issue could be a city lighting master plan containing clear rules on which buildings in which areas require facade lighting. First of all, it is necessary to strive to create a harmonious urban composition and correct lighting navigation, and not just draw attention to individual objects.
By the way, within the framework of the Repa 2023 developer forum, was presented a study by the UGMK development company regarding what real estate buyers really need and what innovations they are willing to pay 10% more than the base price of an apartment. The content of the residential complex was assessed by potential buyers and professionals (developers, architects, landscape designers, etc.). The most significant were the external improvement and apartment finishing, and the third place was shared by landscaping and small architectural forms. Innovations related to facade lighting were far from a priority.
If the building does not have architectural and compositional significance, it is better to pay attention to functional light, which works as architectural light: lighting of entrance areas, common balconies, stairwells.

Lighting design solutions integrated into the architecture require development at the early stages of building design and collaboration between architects and lighting designers. But they are the most rational and at the same time aesthetic and environmentally friendly ones. This approach you can often find in European projects. For example, the evening image of a reconstructed residential building (built in 1964) in Amsterdam is formed by the functional lighting of the open spiral staircase, interior lighting of the staircase block and lighting of the entrances to the apartments on the open floor galleries.

Another striking example is the lighting solution of the residential building The Mountain Dwellings, designed by the architectural bureau BIG. It undoubtedly has an expressive architecture, while the light image is created with minimal means and integrated into the structure of the building itself: due to the well-thought-out layout of public areas and interior decoration, their functional lighting creates a bright and memorable evening view.
This satisfies the requirements trends of environmental friendliness, sustainable consumption, reducing light pollution and preserving dark skies.

If the first floors of buildings are filled with public functions, then attention should be paid to them and to the lighting of entrance groups. After all, this is the area people interact directly and on which their impression of the environment largely depends, while the architectural lighting of the upper parts of the buildings can only be seen from a distance.

For commercial ground floors of residential complexes, it is worth noting the importance of the design code. Quite often, tenants and owners of premises design shop windows and entrance groups in accordance with their taste preferences or the corporate style of the brand. There are many examples when contour lighting of windows, colored and flashing signs can spoil the impression of even the highest quality landscaping and an impressive facade. To create a harmonious evening appearance and status of the object, it is important to create regulations for the design (including lighting) of commercial premises and monitor their implementation.

For architectural lighting of residential complexes, the principle “Less, but better” should become the main one – a modification of the slogan of minimalist architecture of Mies van der Rohe “Less is more” by industrial designer Diet Rams.

To create a quality environment and improve the image, it is better to increase the rationality and accuracy of decisions, use reliable and high-quality equipment, and pay attention to visual comfort.