People are at the heart of workplaces
Companies that want to attract and obtain the best talents design the office as a destination rather than an obligation. Workplaces that are welcoming, beautiful, easy to navigate, have controllable noise levels, and are equipped with the latest technology drive the best experience, productivity and collaboration.
Work modes
Spaces where you can focus, free of distractions, have never been so important. The lack of (acoustic) privacy is mostly linked to open offices.
We spend most of our time between collaboration and individual work. The newly designed workspaces should support both, privacy when needed, and collaborative spaces to boost teamwork.
The workplace is changing
- Well-being
Humans should be the center of the office design to create a space supporting and improving employees’ health, happiness and productivity. From biophilic design, outdoor workspaces, use of natural materials to the smart use of natural and artificial lighting. - Flexibility
The role of the office has changed substantially and firms are now required to be flexible. In other words, they should be able to reconfigure their workspaces according to the needs that arise each time. This will not only keep existing staff on their toes, but also attract new talents. - Hybrid work
The future of the workplace is hybrid and flexible. Long commutes, less productivity and difficulty focusing in the corporate office are the main reasons for change. The decline of large corporate buildings and the rise of satellite offices in various locations is encouraging localized working, thus making work closer to home for many. - Sustainability
Creating a work space that promotes ecological and environmental balance is definitely on trend. Beyond the massive benefits of improving your environmental impact, making it a greener place to be is what employees want.
Effects of light on humans
- visual light effect
Good light promotes visual performance and enhances visual comfort. Too much light, glare and not enough light can be harmful. - emotional light effect
Light intensifies our emotions. Daylight and artificial lighting cast architecture and the workplace environment in the right light, make for atmosphere and a sense of well being.
- biological effect
Light importantly affects human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood. It regulates waking and sleeping phases and has a major influence on health and performance. During a day it should be stimulating, whereas in the evening it should be calming
Key areas
Entrance – create impact and a warm welcome
Inevitably, the height of the ceiling in an entrance is a great challenge for lighting and at the same time an opportunity to create something special and impressive. Keep reception areas open, with clearly marked paths to the elevator, floors and offices.
Lobby
In office buildings, lobbies are mainly large multi-purpose spaces where people hang out, chat or work.
Therefore, lighting needs to be dynamic and attractive.
Reception
The reception is the focal point of the lobby that reflects the brand’s identity.
Besides creating a pleasant warm atmosphere, the light should also create a high-quality working environment for the staff, making the face to face communication more confident and relaxed.
Office – focus on the employee experience
Organizations are realizing that they must create a place where people want to work. The lighting, air quality, temperature and acoustics that surround us at work play a significant role in both our physical and cognitive wellness.
The office environment is optimized for employee experience through strategic lighting, catering to various work settings such as open plan layouts, focus zones, team offices, individual offices, unassigned spaces, and home offices, ensuring productivity and comfort in diverse work scenarios.
Office types
- Open plan office
Open layouts support collaboration. On the other hand, when you’re working on something that requires your attention, they can be a nightmare. With lighting that combines light and sound absorbers, we can contribute to better acoustics in the office.
- Light where it is needed
Lighting, which is adapted to the position of the furniture and can be adjusted according to user requirements, is the most hygienic. It is an efficient and sustainable solution. Direct/indirect light distribution of pendants or free-standing luminaires directly at the workplace meets employees’ needs.
- Movable illumination
If you frequently change the layout of the workplace, then you should be able to adapt the lighting to it. Freestanding luminaires or track spots do not need installation and allow you to move around.
- General illumination
General lighting, uniform throughout the room, allows the furniture to be moved as desired and is, therefore, suitable for rental offices.
- Acoustic illumination
With lighting that combines light and sound absorbers, we can contribute to better acoustics in the office and help the workers to stay focused.
- Home office
Working from home is also becoming a new reality. Many people set up an office in their home environment, where it is also important to ensure adequate lighting. The choice of direct and indirect light with the possibility of regulation is an excellent solution.
- Dynamic office lighting
Office lighting can be adjusted in a way to activate and stimulate workers or help keep them focused when there is need for concentrated work. But light can also ease stressful situations enabling workers to perform better. People well-being can be additionally enhanced by matching the color temperature and quantity of artificial light with natural daylight, precisely with time and any kind of weather.
Night shifts
Daylight scene allows light personalization of the direct light, while the indirect light stays on at 100%.
At night shifts, not all employees are present in the office, so to create a pleasant working environment, the indirect illumination stays on at a lower intensity.
Meeting Room
Meeting rooms are used diversely. Different situations demand different lighting scenarios. Lighting intensity, light color and the combination of direct and indirect light should be taken into account without giving up aesthetics.
Corridors
The corridors have evolved into multi functional spaces that facilitate meetings, conversations and short processes. Their lighting should be sufficient for various activities, while creating a discreet atmosphere and helping to find one’s way around the office environment.
Feel free to be creative with light
High-frequency passages deserve to be highlighted. Be creative with compositions, create something unexpected or follow the shapes of the building.
Light communicates
Different placement of lights has different effects. Light lines will give direction and guide people through the space if positioned perpendicularly. Products placed transversely will visually expand the space, demarcate individual sections and break up the long corridor.
Staircase – let’s take the stairs
Stairs are not only functional but also aesthetic elements of the office, with lighting solutions that highlight architectural features and promote well-being by encouraging the use of stairs.
General illumination
If you want the stairs to be well lit evenly, choose the general lighting mode. This method is most suitable when the stairs are multi functional and also serve as a meeting place or as an auditorium.
Common Areas – let’s take a break
Common areas, such as cafeterias, dining, play areas and gyms, are designed to promote employee well-being and collaboration, with flexible lighting schemes that create dynamic or relaxing atmospheres depending on the activity.
Toilet – don’t underestimate the toilet’s role
The toilet space is not overlooked in office design, with lighting solutions that ensure cleanliness, comfort, and functionality, enhancing the overall experience for users and reflecting the company’s commitment to employee satisfaction and well-being.
Source (text & photos): Intra Lighting
Text Editor: Myrto Tempelopoulou – Lighting Consultant
