Color quality
- 53 Visual lighting design
- 54 Circadian lighting design
- 55 Electric light glare control
- 56 Solar glare control
- 57 Low-glare workstation design
- 58 Color quality
- 59 Surface design
- 60 Automated shading and dimming controls
- 61 Right to light
- 62 Daylight modeling
- 63 Daylighting fenestration
- P2 Light at night
- P3 Circadian emulation
58. Color quality
To enhance spatial aesthetics and color differentiation through the use of lamps with quality color rendering abilities.
Color quality is a function of the spectral output of a light source, the spectral absorbance/reflectance of an object, and the sensitivity of the eye’s cone photoreceptors to different wavelengths of light, which we perceive as color. Color quality impacts visual appeal and can either contribute to or detract from occupant comfort. Poor color quality can reduce visual acuity and the accurate rendering of illuminated objects. For instance, foods, human skin tones and plants may appear dull or unsaturated under lights that have low color quality metrics. Color rendering index (CRI) is a common way to measure color quality, capturing R1-R8 metrics. R9, while not always reported, is also included as part of this feature, as R9 values further take into consideration how we perceive the saturation of warmer hues.
To accurately portray colors in the space and enhance occupant comfort, all electric lights (except decorative fixtures, emergency lights and other special-purpose lighting) meet the following conditions:
Applicability Matrix
Core & Shell | New & Existing Buildings | New & Existing Interiors | |
---|---|---|---|
Part 1: Color Rendering Index | - | O | O |
Commercial Kitchen | Education | Multifamily Residential | Restaurant | Retail | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part 1: Color Rendering Index | O | O | O | O | O |
Verification Methods Matrix
Letters of Assurance | Annotated Documents | On-Site Checks | |
---|---|---|---|
PART 1 (Design) Color Rendering Index |
Architect |
58.1.a |
The U.S. GSA's Facilities Standard for the Public Buildings Service Tier 1 High Performance rating requires CRI of 80 or higher. |
58.1.b |
The GSA's Facilities Standard for the Public Buildings Service Tier 2 High Performance requires a Color Rendering Index R9 of at least 50. |