{"id":5327,"date":"2022-02-28T15:35:43","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T22:35:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alconlighting.com\/blog\/?p=5327"},"modified":"2026-08-13T09:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T16:57:08","slug":"lighting-designers-role-of-uplighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alconlighting.com\/blog\/lighting-design\/lighting-designers-role-of-uplighting\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighting Design Interview: Uplighting, Indirect Lighting, and Where They Overlap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Simply put, uplighting is any lighting that shines upward. Most commercial lighting<\/a> pendants are designed with uplighting and downlighting capability. For interior applications, uplighting reduces ceiling dark spots and shadows while affording the user additional, glare-free indirect lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uplighting supports the architectural design of a space by highlighting features such as beams, pipes, and other distinctive ceiling elements. It also contributes to the overall indirect lighting strategy, helping to reduce glare and create a softer, more even distribution of light throughout the space.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Uplighting<\/a>
Some linear pendant lights<\/a> offer uplight-only light distribution<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Indirect lighting refers to any light that reflects off a surface\u2014typically a ceiling, wall, cove, or fixture-integrated reflector\u2014before reaching the intended work plane or target plane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Distinction: Uplighting vs. Indirect Lighting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Uplighting and indirect lighting are often used together, but they describe different characteristics of a lighting design. Uplighting describes the direction in which light is emitted: upward. Indirect lighting describes how light reaches the intended plane: by reflecting off another surface before illuminating the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An uplight directed toward a ceiling can provide indirect ambient illumination, distributing light more broadly throughout a room while helping to reduce direct glare. But uplighting is not inherently indirect. An uplight aimed at a beam, column, textured ceiling, or other architectural feature enhances the character or a space even when it’s primary purpose is to support the general lighting plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indirect lighting however doesn’t have to originate from an upward-facing fixture. Concealed coves, wall-integrated luminaires, and integrated light fixture reflectors redirect light from multiple orientations, using reflected light to illuminate the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cove
Cove lighting<\/a> recessed in the bevel of a coffered paired with recessed downlights<\/a> creates layers of light to improve visual comfort around meeting tables.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In practice, designers use uplighting to reveal architectural form, shape the upper volume of a space, or create visual emphasis. They use indirect lighting to deliver diffuse ambient illumination that supports the general lighting footcandle targets of a space.

In an IES article on indoor sports lighting<\/a>, Mary Helen Sprecher highlights the value of indirect lighting in sports venues where glare control and uniformity are priorities. She writes, \u201cIndirect lighting, or uplighting, involving the installation of fixtures aimed at a highly reflective ceiling, provides the least amount of glare and produces very uniform illumination.

Sprecher also notes that \u201cthe indirect component of the lighting system makes the facility appear spacious and open by adding luminance to the ceiling and upper walls,\u201d while enhancing the uniform distribution of light. However, indirect lighting alone can provide limited modeling\u2014an important consideration when athletes need to judge a ball\u2019s speed, direction, or spin. For that reason, Sprecher concludes that \u201cthe best combination of performance characteristics is supplied via a direct\/indirect system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcon Lighting asked Marras Lighting Design co-founder Jon-Carlo Marras<\/a> and Gensler Sustainable Design Director Anthony Brower<\/a> about the effective use of both uplighting and indirect lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marras, who led projects for Yale Moyer Lighting, a residential landscape lighting firm in Southampton, New York, co-founded Marras Lighting Design in 2013. Brower\u2019s work encompasses Gensler\u2019s market and includes a focus on office buildings, education, civic and culture, mixed-use, sports and media projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both were interviewed by telephone. This is an edited transcript.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcon Lighting: What are some benefits of uplighting?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anthony Brower:<\/strong> The big benefit is giving a softer light. Softer light is easier on the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jon-Carlo Marras:<\/strong> One of the most obvious benefits is that you don\u2019t have any glare. The light source faces away from, rather that toward, the viewer. So surfaces are above you, which helps you enhance the feel and space of the room and make it feel larger. Depending on the type of fixture it is, indirect lighting can help create a linear profile on the wall, so the fixture can create its own silhouette. You can light a space really well with a lot of light\u2014spread over a large surface area in the room. It can really create a bright space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcon Lighting: Which applications use indirect lighting most?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Jon-Carlo Marras:<\/strong> Office spaces use it a lot because it minimizes the glare and makes an easier, more comfortable working environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anthony Brower:<\/strong> I see it most often in conference rooms and meeting spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n