This research proposes a design method that enables quantitative and qualitative assessments of light in space. The simplicity of the approach facilitates its integration into the architectural design process by using available technologies. The methodology concentrates on the early design stage since it expresses the architect's intention of a particular atmosphere that will govern further developments of the project. It takes into account the increasing interest in the utilisation of photography as an important part of the design process, and adds a quantifiable aspect to light as it offers the possibility to integrate numerical values when required. The visual representation of light as a pattern, instead of numerical values, facilitates the quantitative assessment and relates to existing techniques of lighting analysis, such as the isolux contours. The research emphasises and develops the possibilities offered by a partially computerised approach using calculation method and physical modelling. It combines the use of physical models, video camera, and computerised image analysis as main tools for the evaluation of light. The resulting data collection and visualisation of the lighting effects constitute a bank of images for the generation of space from lights. The combination of images creates spaces issued from the nature of light, allowing new ideas in the development of the initial design stages. The research defines the potential and limitations of the use of images in the composition of space according to the physical properties of light. The lighting pattern also constitutes the basis for a classification of lights which relates to the design method using images. It proposes a link between quantitative and qualitative aspects of light stemming from spatial components and apertures. The classification acknowledges the architect's intuitive approach to design.