Too many downlights?

Is there such a thing as too many downlights?  When we saw the below image the first thing we thought was: ‘wow, look at all those downlights’.  Is that just because we are lighting designers and the lights are the first thing we look out for? Or is the form of the architecture compromised by such a prominent arrangement of lights?

We found this image associated with the following article at comtemporist.com

It’s interesting to scroll to below the article and read the comments.  The lighting sparks a lot of debate around aesthetics and energy consumption.

If ever asked what Electrolight’s ‘house style’ is in relation to residential projects we tend to say something along the lines of ‘the opposite of a load of recessed downlights and a feature pendant’.  We much prefer working collaboratively with the architect to weave light into the fabric of the building, using understated fixtures cleverly concealed.  Generally speaking, we are more interested in the light coming from the fixture than the fixture itself.

But that’s just us.  I’d be most interested to see examples where other approaches really work and gives a beautiful outcome.  Agree? disagree? have we missed the point? drop us a comment and we’ll share your thoughts here.