Architecture has various elements and techniques that add to a functional space to be effective for human usage. One of them is lighting in architecture. Architectural lighting design supports and accentuates specific architectural features to encourage, develop, or underline a building’s ethos—its beauty, history, and purpose, like for corporate office lighting.
Lighting design and architectural lighting can resemble one another but are not identical. The earlier is more interested in architecture. To ensure that light is used and distributed properly, the latter frequently takes ergonomics or functionality into account—any feature that enhances one’s capacity to live, work, function, relax, or play. Architecture, design, and technology all come together in architectural lighting. The effects of light on the brain and body, as well as physics, engineering, and other fields of study, are also taken into consideration with the physical impact. The brain needs a calm and subtle environment in order to process ideas and thoughts.
As architectural elements affect human mood and behavior so do lighting does. The characteristics of a structure can convey information about history, identity, or ideals. The use of architectural lighting can help the narrative come to life.
Importance of Architectural Lighting
Lighting has a significant impact on visibility and appearance along with the experience it leads in all spaces, including homes, industries, and workplaces. While poor lighting design might detract from the appeal of a catching place, adequate and beautiful lighting can improve the appearance of a dull space. Therefore, it is imperative to have adequate outdoor architectural lighting arrangements in accordance with the needs of the space.
Architectural lighting design is a technique that demonstrates how light and its manifestations will affect the feel and look of the places. Architects have shown how illumination and its absence may have a startling impact on people’s health and productivity, whether utilizing electric light, natural light, or a combination of the two. However, designers and architects are becoming increasingly interested in the impact of lighting as a result of the use of new lighting with cutting-edge technologies for improvement.
Corporate Office Lighting
Lighting has a direct relation to the mood and behavior of the employees. The office or the workspaces should opt for balanced lighting which promotes positivity and calmness in the space and creates a work environment.
Productivity with Office Lighting
The type of light that employees are exposed to influences not only mood, circadian rhythms, and physical health but also productivity and creativity. This is true whether the light source at a workplace is natural, artificial, bright and blue, or dim and yellow.
According to Star Davis, who is in charge of WeWork’s worldwide team of committed lighting specialists, “There are a lot of interesting studies around the nature of your environment and how it affects your brain’s ability to perceive and function in different ways.” Davis added, “Having lights around allows people to be more creative and have more creative ideas.” When it comes to creativity, being well-rested, awake, and enthusiastic are key factors, and the correct lighting can help you achieve these states.
However, dim illumination might strain your eyes and leave you feeling sleepy and exhausted. On the contrary, lighting that is too bright might harm your eyes, interfere with your ability to sleep, and cause migraines. The extra mental effort required to fill in the spaces might wear you out and limit your capacity for creativity and productivity, according to Davis.
Natural Light in Offices
The benefits of proper illumination in the workplace, particularly natural light, are enormous for workers. Studies even demonstrate that employees rank natural sunlight as the best office element that makes the environment more comfortable and suitable. But with blinds or shades that block out possible views of the outside and natural light in order to lessen glare or uncomfortable heat.
The practice of daylighting, which involves strategically positioning windows, skylights, and reflective surfaces to let natural light into a building’s interior, maximizes the benefits of natural light in the workplace for energy efficiency, comfort, productivity, and morale.
Incorporating glass partition panels separates people and provides acoustic seclusion in offices, whether or not the building has been designed to maximize daylighting. This increases the number of employees who can benefit from natural light in the workplace. Using nature as an inseparable element in design will positively influence the employees. One of the positives can be a welcoming atmosphere which increases the productivity of the employees. Additionally, it encourages better sleep for employees making them energetic and positive. Overall, it has made a great experience for work satisfaction.
Corporate Lighting
The approach towards lighting also depends on the type of office and workspaces. For example, banks would require different lighting while a private office would require some different light. It also depends on how much the area and how many people are going to occupy the space. The larger office working area often needs clean and continuous light which keeps the whole space with enough light.
Apart from natural light, ambient lighting is also needed in offices. It creates a more comfortable and subtle environment for the workers to engage with and connect to have a good mood and mind. Using the color temperature in lighting is also quite effective. Additionally, task lighting is also an indeed plus point to pay attention to. Task lighting allows to particular creates an environment for individual employees to focus more on the work and increases productivity. With additional flexibility, energy use can be decreased and the environment can be improved.
Also, professional experts for lighting should be consulted. The experts can assist in developing a lighting strategy so that the particular requirements and aesthetics of the office space are addressed.
Designing for lighting, and considering the functional space demarcation can also be fruitful. As in not all spaces would be in need of strong lighting. All functional spaces would need lighting based on that which makes it more convenient in approach as well to enhance the space and environment. Also, the lighting plays an important role in the transition of spaces.
Corporate office lighting ought to be a thoughtfully thought out and implemented component of office design. Along with supporting the company’s sustainability objectives and aesthetic choices, it should place a priority on worker comfort, productivity, and energy efficiency.
