The aim of the project for the Edison offices in Milan was to “design an artificial environment that reproduced the complexity of the natural environment“, as explained by architect Cristiana Cutrona of Revalue who, in collaboration with Consuline, created an integrated system of lighting and acoustic panels named “La Pergola”, which reproduces the activity of natural light in a forest and is one of the first examples in Europe based on recent scientific data.
An innovative biophilic design inspired the Edison offices in Milan; a workplace that reproduces the activity of natural light in a wood where the sun passes through the foliage producing shade and continuous change of luminance perceivable by the brain; lighting system is integrated with the Snowsound sound absorbing panels to extend the environmental comfort also to the acoustic point of view.
An interior design inspired by nature and based on scientific evidence, as the designers explain.
“Chronobiology has an impact on many aspects of our physiology. Circadian clocks help to regulate sleep patterns, feeding behavior, hormone release, blood pressure and body temperature. -Cristiana Cutrona quoted “The discovery of self-sustained transcription/translation feedback loops as the central component of the molecular mechanism by which clock genes control circadian oscillations in cells and tissues has led to a new paradigm in our understanding of how organisms anticipate and adapt to the regular daily environmental cues such as light”.
(From The 2017 Nobel prize in Physiology and Medicine summary, J.C. Hall, M. Rosbash, M. W. Young).
Alferio Paolillo (HR and Facility manager at Edison spa) underlines that the mail goal on the office design was to support the new ways of working thanks to innovative technology, too offering employees the possibility to test new work settings.
The concepts of dynamic lighting applied in Edison’s large open space are explained by the architect Francesco Iannone of Consuline , lighting designer together with his colleague Serena Tellini.
“Recent studies show that the dynamism of natural light comes into contact with the human circadian system.
Lighting levels and the color of light make more pleasant to work in a closed workplace, but it is also important that the lighting levels and the color of light dynamically change, giving the visual system the ability to adjust indirect lighting and changes in brightness. Today we can show that one of the most relaxing places is a forest where light changes trough the leaves of the trees and the sight is constantly urged to adjust the ocular vision”.
And “La Pergola” project is exactly the reproduction of a forest; the “leaves” are made of Flap panels with Snowsound technology by Caimi Brevetti, while the textile flooring, strictly eco-friendly and inspired by biophilia, is the Interface Urban Retrait collection.
Even the choice of furniture (sit stand workstations and Mirra chairs by Herman Miller) was based on products that guaranteed maximum environmental comfort and flexibility.
In another area of the Edison offices, equipped with a wonderful glass cover, the same principle was applied, but using natural light.
The acoustic booths Chakra by Universal Selecta with glass walls, for small meetings and personal privacy, also contribute to the perfect environmental comfort.
