This thesis discusses the importance of designing and evaluating lighting, based on the spatial experience the lighting provides. However, the design and the evaluation of lighting tends to be based upon quantitative measures such as standards, regulations, economy etc. rather than qualitative.

The thesis investigates the discrepancy between what we measured and what we see through a literature study. The phenomena, aesthetics and atmosphere, and their relation to lighting parameters, are investigated. Through the investigation different means to produce an atmosphere has been exposed. The findings from the literature study is accumulated in a Light Experience Model.

The developed Light Experience Model is used in a specific space, to study the space and propose a new lighting design. The space in question is the respite space located at Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen. For this space, the existing lighting should produce a restful and calm atmosphere, however this was not found to be the case. Using the Light Experience Model, challenges of the space, in terms of lighting, were exposed. Based on this, a new proposal for the lighting design was developed. The proposal takes the purpose of the space into consideration, and strives to create a calming atmosphere, thereby changing the spatial experience of the respite space.

Through these investigations, the thesis illustrates how working with aesthetics and atmosphere, through the Light Experience Model, can ensure that a lighting design, contributes to a better environment in terms of spatial experience.