All the components of a room, that contribute to environmental wellbeing, such as exposure, architecture, furnishings, colors and natural sunlight, are taken into consideration in a holistic approach.
There is not only one kind of light; there are different lights: a light to see, a light to look at, a light to watch.
The barren lux concept is obsolete and should be widened to comfort, taking into account visual perception: the human eye doesn’t perceive the total wattage, but the light distribution.
So, a qualitative rather than quantitative lighting design is requested.
In a working environment reduction in contrasts prevents fatigue.
Most important, through a differentiated light on vertical surfaces rooms look wider and brighter (vertical surfaces account for 80% of the perceived ones).
Also, it’s necessary to pay special attention to other important factors: the colour rendering and constancy, flux and the thermal stability of LED,technology, now most widely used.
Text by arch. Gianni Ronchetti, lighting designer.
Pictures: copyright by Erco- Courtesy of Erco.
The evolution of the office lighting design approach from the 70’s to the 90’s to the present holistic approach.
Left: workplace with traditional lighting design;
Right: restyling of the same workplace by a holistic lighting design.