Breaking Boundaries: Evolution of Lighting Design in the Workplace

A subtle revolution has been underway in the realm of lighting design giving it more depth and dimension. The focus is shifting towards illuminating the activities within a space, employee’s well-being, and giving equal importance to the volume or size of the space itself through uniformity.

In this blog, we'll explore how lighting design is liberating itself from its traditional limitations and is becoming an integral part of the overall workplace experience.

Design and Functionality: A Harmonious Duo

In terms of design, commercial lighting solutions are no longer an afterthought but a fundamental part of the entire architectural proposal. This entails selecting lighting fixtures for both their functionality and how they harmonize with the complete office design.

The designs prioritize practicality and aesthetics, promoting simplicity and enhancing connections between objects, users, and their environment. It’s an essential aspect of the space's visual distinctiveness, ranging from sleek and minimalistic fixtures to daring and arty fittings.

Uniformity and it’s Many Shades

One momentous shift in lighting design is the prominence of uniformity. Inconsistent lighting, in the past, has been a source of mental and physical stress caused by eye strain and discomfort. Designers and lighting companies are becoming aware of the significance of defined and consistent illumination when offering commercial lighting solutions.

Precise illumination is skilfully directed towards targeted areas, considering the activity or collaboration zone, the immediate environment, and the background area. The workplace setting for activities and assemblies is now designed in vertical, inclined, and horizontal orientations. After the area is demarcated, detailed attention is given to meeting the lighting requirements, including optimal levels, uniform distribution, and effective glare control.

By implementing uniform lighting, the episodes of frequent light adaptation are reduced, relieving strain on the eyes and retina. Thus, creating a comfortable work environment where employees no longer need to constantly adjust their positions to avoid harsh or uneven lighting, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and productivity.

The ‘Thoughtful’ Lighting Design

The modern workspaces have undergone profound transformations, with the integration of smart lighting solutions. These 'thoughtful' lighting systems are designed with a human-centric approach, reshaping how we interact with our office environments.

Human-centric lighting design takes into account the physiological and psychological effects of light on people. Human-centric lighting aims to create lighting environments that align with the natural patterns of daylight.

These can be seamlessly configured to adapt to the ever-changing environmental conditions throughout the day. For example, artificial lighting can intelligently adapt to variations in natural sunlight flowing into the office, maintaining consistent lighting levels and hues while optimizing energy efficiency.

These lighting solutions can be conveniently managed through voice commands or smartphone apps, granting employees precise control over their preferred illumination settings. This level of customization empowers individuals to create the ideal lighting environment tailored to their needs, resulting in increased satisfaction and productivity.

Perception Oriented Lighting: Lighting the Way

Before we delve into the specifics of optimal brilliance, it is crucial to gain an understanding of the important layers of illumination.

The perception-orientated lighting design no longer considers man and his needs as a mere recipient of his visual surroundings but as an active factor in the perception process.

Ambient Luminescence, Focal Glow., Play of Brilliants. Those three tenets from Richard Kelly (1910–1977) remain the core theoretical statement on lighting design. No other practitioner has ever articulated lighting design concepts in such a way

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting determines a workplace’s general tone and brilliance. It creates a gentle and even distribution of light throughout a room, providing a pleasant and visually harmonious atmosphere.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting/Focal Glow creates a focused and emphasized source of light, often used to highlight a specific object or area within a space. Focal glow involves directing light to create a visual focal point, drawing responsiveness to significant sections like artsy creations or architectural elements.

Task Lighting

Task lighting is designed to provide concentrated illumination for specific activities or tasks. It ensures that individuals have sufficient light for activities such as reading, working at a desk, or crafting.

Play of brilliants

This describes the interplay of light and shadow in architectural spaces. It refers to the deliberate manipulation of light and shadow to create visual interest and drama by strategically placing and shaping light sources.

Shaping the Future of Workplace Lighting

The prospect is undoubtedly bright for the lighting design world thanks to the numerous developments in commercial lighting solutions. The future of lighting design in workspaces promises a fusion of cutting-edge innovations and emerging trends, ushering in a new era of efficiency, well-being, and sustainability. It incorporates the adoption of Human Centric Design, Smart lighting Design and Adaptive solutions, Data-driven insights, Energy Efficiency and Operation Efficiency, the possibilities are endless!

Lighting design has progressed into a versatile mechanism that effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetics. The sensibly selected office lighting uplifts the ambience and supports the mental health of employees.

As we continue to let lighting off the leash and work towards creating a wholesome experience for employees, the potentials are truly illuminating.

By Neha Chokhani