When it comes to lighting for your office space, design ambience is the difference between lighting the space and lighting for how you use the space. Have you ever noticed when you walk into a room, too much lighting can make it seem cold and unwelcome? Or that a room without enough lighting can feel claustrophobic and dingy?
Light for the use of the space
A badly lit room or office space can be something which is overlit as much as it can be underlit. Bad lighting is light which does not work for the space. We use our rooms and spaces differently. Not all offices are used for the same purposes and not all rooms need the same lighting. Take a doctor’s surgery as an example. Medical spaces need to be brightly lit to enable staff to perform their jobs well. You cannot administer medication or perform examinations without being able to see the patient. However, for the patient, too much bright lit can seem overly clinical and may not help them relax. In an office environment, you want lighting that looks professional, allows staff to perform their jobs and also is attractive to potential clients and visitors. This is where design ambience makes a difference.
Elements of design ambience
There are many elements to design ambience that need to be considered. Firstly, you would need to look at how the natural light works within the room and what you can do to complement this. Desk space near windows do not need as many lights but would need additional light on overcast days or when it’s dark. Spaces further from the window would need extra lighting. Not all parts of the room need the same level of lighting. Likewise, if you have some desks which are engaged in tasks at close detail level, then these would need more desk level lighting than overhead lighting. So the use of the space and the placement of the light needs to be understood to get the right level of design ambience. Creating many levels of lighting is a key part of ensuring you get the right design ambience, starting from ceiling lights and working down the space to where light is needed. The colour of the light is also important. We already know that different colours can support motivation, relaxation or energy levels. Additionally, the brightness of the light can make a difference in how well an office space is lit. Again, not all parts of the office space need to have the same colour of light or brightness of light. Meeting rooms would need a different lighting level to kitchen areas, desk space a different level to bathrooms.
Expert understanding
There are a lot of variables when looking at the design ambience of any commercial space to ensure that the lighting is fit for purpose. Ensuring there is a variety of lighting in the space will make a significant difference in how people react to it and work within it. We know that the right lighting can make a difference in productivity levels. Design ambience is not just about getting the lighting right, it is about getting the design right for the purpose of the space. This is why we take a holistic approach to our site surveys and quotes to ensure you get the best lighting for your commercial space.
