Not long ago we referred to the importance of color in the offices, when verifying that it is not only a mere aesthetic effect, but a great determinant of the psychological and emotional state of people that also affects their productivity and creativity. Closely related to this aspect is the lighting: light can substantially contribute to the quality of the space and favor concentration and intellectual development.

La office lighting it must satisfy multiple requirements and reconcile specifications, regulations, economic objectives, construction requirements, organizational frameworks and design guidelines. For this reason, a theoretical model based more on the features that comply with each type of lighting, than in exclusively quantitative parameters, such as illuminance or energy efficiency indicators. This model gives prominence to the use of a space situation, both inside and on the façade.
For this reason, lighting designers first establish the functionality of each area, which are broadly divided as follows:

-Representative lighting (reception or customer service areas).
-direction lighting (for corridors, transit areas, accesses or exits).
-Concentration lighting (for operational positions)
-Communication lighting (for meeting areas, conferences, etc.)
-Inspirational lighting (for creative environments where ideas or projects are generated).

With these parameters, we offer some ideas of qualitative lighting in offices, focused on the functionality of the spaces, and we moved away from the traditional global lighting, uniform and without hierarchies, which translates into a poor visual impression, which produces fatigue for the workers and which, in addition, entails higher energy expenditure.

diffuser ceiling lights

In this training room, the type of lighting has a clear community function. The diffuser ceilings ceiling lights homogeneously illuminate the room, alternating sheets of absorbent material, optimal in areas of talks and conferences. The area closest to the screen is not illuminated for better viewing, although they have been placed perimeter lights to the sides so that the area does not remain in shadow.

acoustic lamps

The trend in lighting design points to dual function luminaires, as in the image above: a social zone illuminated with a sequence of Ceiling Lamps with warm light and beams of sound-absorbing felt that act as a screen and favor the room sound. The lighting is completed with plastered perimeter LEDs and directional lateral spotlights that indicate the corridor and mark the route of passage.

Office lighting through lattices 

In the reception areas, a “representational” lighting, that is to say, a homogeneous light, clear but not dazzling. There are many lighting projects that make use of decorative resources such as lattices (wooden, DM, technical fabrics, metallic, etc.), which, in addition to providing a cozy and enveloping sensation, hide the light mechanisms and create a diffusing screen.

Suspended and built-in shelves

In office spaces, several activities are usually carried out simultaneously, so each area requires specific lighting. The pendulum linear and recessed LEDs They offer great flexibility in this regard, since with these systems both workstations (concentration lighting) and meeting rooms or boardrooms (communication areas) can be illuminated correctly. Many of these systems also allow modulate the intensity of the luminaire for each area.

focal diffusers

Lighting projects include the creation of effects from own designs, as in this case, a meeting room of a technology company, for which a diffuser screen of the same size and format as the table top. The light sensation is similar to that created by diffusing screens used for studio photography, a homogeneous light that illuminates all attendees equally without creating shadows between them.

pendulum luminaires

The ceiling spotlights or downlights Strategically placed over an area, they produce direct lighting, which, as a whole, distribute light symmetrically to create expanded lighting. In a reception area, like the one in the image, it works as call effect on the counter. It can be completed with other decorative luminaires or side washlights.

perimeter lighting

Highly recommended for transit areas such as corridors of several meters, the perimeter LED lights play a very important role in signaling. It is a frequent formula, not only in offices, but also in hotel corridors or even in residential projects. In principle, more support lighting is not necessary, although it can be complemented with adjustable recessed spotlights or side swimsuits.

Sets of pendulum linear

This expandable luminaire system creates zones of light on specific areas, without the need to illuminate the entire room. The number of arms and stem lengths can be specified to create fixtures as large as required, with the individual arms installed to provide direct or indirect lighting. Each arm has its own precision balance control and a smart bearing component that makes it easy to rotate the arm 360°.

connotative lighting

Lighting does not have to be an element of interior design without intention or message. In reality, it is a key piece through which they can be transmitted posts and concepts to consolidate the brand image. A good example are these London offices belonging to the recording and television studio Little Dot Studios, which Spanish means “little dot”. Thus, from the entrance, a brand identity is already established through not only the circular openings in the walls, but also through the pendulum luminaire, that are plastered on the cement blocks of the low ceiling, like points that direct the visitor's steps.

light effects

As we have seen previously, lighting is capable of creating an endless number of visual effects capable of transmitting a specific message or positioning a brand image. This type of lighting design, in addition to being functional, is highly aesthetic and innovative, with which large surfaces can be solved in an impressive and creative way, without the need to use expensive coatings.

Photos: OfficeSnapshot