Let there be light

The significance of lighting

In an era dominated by indoor living, the significance of lighting cannot be overstated. Particularly highlighted by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, exposure to both natural and artificial light plays a pivotal role in regulating our circadian rhythms. This internal clock regulates key functions such as sleep-wake patterns, hormone release, and blood pressure. Recent studies demonstrate that access to sufficient light has a positive impact on our nervous system. We experience greater vitality throughout the day, are in a better mood, and sleep better at night. Moreover, sufficient light alleviates common issues like eye strain, dry eyes and headaches.

Within office spaces, adherence to lighting standards such as the EN 12464 ensures more healthy environments. Meticulous building design, in combination with the right light fixtures, controls, and sensors, creates office spaces that foster positive mental states. In the case described below, you can read how such a well-illuminated workspace looks like.

The illuminated office experience

In recent months, our lighting experts at Sweco have spearheaded a project that seamlessly blends heritage preservation with modern functionality: providing a lighting plan that is office-compliant and forward-thinking. In the lobby of the building, we upcycled the existing decorative luminaires from the 19th century, bathing the space in soft, beautiful light playing with glass and iron. By recycling those fixtures, we emphasize the beauty of the past and show the firm’s commitment to the future. This proves a space can have conforming light while respecting the design styles of the past.

Recreating a natural quality of light

Over the reception desk, a discreet suspended profile provides not only office-compliant levels of light and uniformity but also offers a high quality of light, ensuring the staff working in this environment have their circadian rhythm boosted. This ensures they feel more comfortable and have better well-being at work. When we move to the office spaces on the ground floor, we use a combination of direct and indirect illumination in not only tunable white light but also light that has a bolstered cyan spectrum, helping to recreate as closely as possible a natural quality of light. This cooler, brighter light is more energizing, promotes concentration, and reduces eye strain during tasks that require mental focus. By using indirect illumination, we are able to delicately illuminate the ceilings, redirecting a soft glow down onto the working planes, while the direct illumination provides all the necessary levels to ensure a functional working environment.

Creating lightness, coziness and atmospheres of inspiration

As we travel up the staircase, tunable white light recreates the rhythm of daylight through the false skylight, giving the illusion of the passing of time and making it seem as if the space is lit by the sun. The meeting rooms on either side follow the same principles as downstairs, with narrow profiles of direct and indirect illumination providing all the necessary light levels required in the space, while the luminaires remain discreet and do not weigh down this high space.

The large foyer at the top of the staircase has been illuminated in a playful and relaxing way, giving a nod to ancient architecture while modernizing the space, providing a fresh feeling and lightness to the generous materials and color palette of the room. In the last space behind the foyer, we have opted to create a multifunctional space that is soft and cozy. Thanks to large discs of light, we are able to create a space that can transform over the years between an office, a pleasant canteen, or a relaxing breakout space.