In the first design stage, image reference plays a double role of means of formulation and resolution of problems. In our approach, we consider image reference as a support of creation activity to generate ideas and we propose a tool for navigation in references by image in order to assist daylight ambience design. Within this paper, we present, in a first part, the semantic indexation method to be used for the indexation of our image database. In a second part we propose a synthetic analysis of various modes of referential navigation in order to propose a tool implementing all or a part of these modes.