Lighting in Design Q2 2019

Best practices for office lighting design

Nowadays, up to 80% of information is processed visually. Besides the fact that light influences personal well-being and health, it also has a positive impact on motivation and performance. What has to be taken in to consideration when it comes to lighting in the workplace?

L ight has different functions that have to be taken into consideration for comprehensive assessment of a lighting concept in a room. Illumination does not only support the visual per- ception and therefore the information brokerage, but it is also signified by psychic-emotional and psychic-biological effects. The visual perception in a room is initially achieved by illumination.Therefore, ceiling fixtures have to be chosen individually according to the room condition. In addition, table lights and floor lamps can intensify the lighting effect. They are also able to zoom in on information processing and mental stimulation at the same time. The appropriate use of daylight and artificial light can have a strong impact on the psychic- emotional factors of lighting. Other factors that are influenced by light are health and performance. An ergonomically designed lighting can be very supporting and as studies have proofed, a good illumination at the working place has also an im- pact on motivation. For the evaluation of quality of illumination, a variety of parameters is analysed. The major cri- teria are lighting level and illuminance, harmonic brightness control, light colour, direction of light and restriction of glare and shadiness. Those pa- rameters, influencing visual environment, comfort

and performance, are frequently noted in scientific and practical approaches.

Recommendations for the lighting in the workplace The following light-measures are suggested to optimise lighting at the workplace: (1) Just as any other lighting concept, lighting at the working place should be flexible and energy-saving. An optimal lighting depends on the visual task and requires both a balance of indirect and direct light sources, as well as a balance between daylight and artificial light. (2) Flexible application, energy saving and ergo- nomics are requirements that have to be met by modern lighting technologies. A combina- tion of different types of lamps enables an individual illumination in rooms according to the visual tasks. Additionally, manufacturers provide energy-efficient LED bulbs. (3) One of themost important criterions for lighting at the work place is the respective work- and visual task. This decides on the choice of illuminants. Lighting level and illuminance Aminimumof 500 Lux is stated for the brightness at computer work stations. Generally speaking, an in- crease in illuminance boosts the visual performance

16

LiD Q2 - 2019