Lighting design in Commercial Spaces

The purpose of proper lighting design in commercial spaces is to support work. In short a successful light plan must represent and reinforce the corporate image, better energy savings and lighting quality, and flexibility for easy adjustments.

LIGHTING DESIGN OF AN OFFICE

The main sections of an office are: i) Reception ii) General office iii) Private office iv) Conference room

Reception

This area creates the first impression about the office for the visitors. Hence the décor and the lighting pattern of this space have to be carefully designed. As the colour rendering quality of the light is important to enhance the décor, warm white fluorescent lights are appropriate both aesthetically and economically.

As the number of persons using the reception area is usually quite high, the level of general lighting should be medium to high. So down lighting is the most suitable mode of lighting here. Light should be uniform and evenly distributed. Ceiling mounted down lighters or luminous ceiling panels are good options.

In this area, information regarding the company like photographs, drawings, brochures are usually displayed along with other decorative elements like paintings, murals, plants etc. So accent lighting should be provided over display area with downlightig or wall washing mode according to the position of the display on the counter top or wall. Task lighting with downlighters may be provided over the reception counter or other task area if any.

General Office

This is the most challenging area of the office lighting design. Staffs spend the whole day in this space and the level of visual activity is high. So cool white fluorescent lights are most appropriate which are economic also.

Here the level of general lighting should not be below. But on the other hand, a higher level of general lighting creates monotony and fatigues the eyes over a long period. So a good option is to provide a medium level of general lighting supplemented with task lights over the work stations. General lighting can be provided by downlighting with ceiling mounted down lighters or luminous ceiling panels. If appropriate wall space is available, wall mounted bracket lights can also be provided.

Task lighting is required over the work stations and the storage area. For work stations, individual task lights can be provided but a better option is to arrange the work stations in such a way so that a single light source can cater to a group of four or such units. Downlighting with ceiling mounted lights can serve the purpose. For storage area, task lights with down lighters for horizontal storage like drawers etc. and wall washers for vertical storage like cabinets or stacks etc. can be employed.

Accent lighting in the general office area may be sparsely provided for any display to break the monotony and to create some point of interest. Downlighting or wall washing can be employed depending upon the nature of display.

Private Office

This area demands special consideration for aesthetic effect. As the colour of the light is important to enhance the décor, incandescent or warm white fluorescent lights are suitable in this area.

This is usually singly occupied room with occasional presence of visitors. So the level of general lighting should be medium or it can be kept at lower level with supplementary task and accent lighting. For medium level of general lighting down lighting with ceiling mounted can be provided. To produce a lower level of general lighting, up lighting may be employed with floor standing high up lighters or wall scones.

Task lighting for the executive’s working table and computer area is very important. Task light over the working table can be provided with conventional table lamps or narrow beamed ceiling mounted lights. For the computer area, silver crowned lights at the back of the computer can be employed.

Accent lights employed carefully can create an interesting affect. It can be provided over displays like painting or any other artifacts, plants or even on the centre table of the informal seating to accentuate the conversational area. It can be provided with downlighting by ceiling mounted, wall mounted or pendant lights. Wall washing can be employed for wall hung displays or murals. Small cylinder up lighters can be used for statues or plants to create a dramatic light and shadow effect.

Conference Room

As long hours may be spent in this room, cool white fluorescent lights are most appropriate. Level of general lighting should be medium to high. The lighting level needs to be flexible as a higher level is required during the conference and on the other hand, a lower is desired during visual presentations. Preferably the lighting sources should be provided with dimmers to facilitate this flexibility. Downlighting is the most suitable option here. Usually ceiling mounted down lighters are provided over the conference table which can serve as the source of both general lighting and task lighting. If there is a provision of slide show or overhead projection, a separate task light should be provided over the operating area.

Accent lights can be sparsely provided over displays which are usually wall hung and wall washing can be a suitable option for this purpose.

LIGHTING DESIGN OF EATERIES

Lighting design of an eatery depends upon the turnover time, types of menu and service. Eateries like snack bar, cafeteria etc serving snacks or light meals can be either self-serviced or waiter serviced. Here the turnover is quick, occupancy time is less and hence number of customers served per hour is higher. So here the requirement of general light is higher. It can be provided with uniform distribution of ceiling mounted or wall mounted lights or luminous panels or soffit lighting. It must be mentioned that where ceiling fans are provided, ceiling mounted lights must be positioned in such a way that light beams are not interrupted by the movement of the fan. Otherwise, wall mounted lights are a better option. Accent and task lights have a minimum role in these lighting designs through to create some points of interest, a few accent lights with downlighters or wall washers may be provided to highlight any painting or plants etc.

In speciality restaurants where heavy meals are served, turnover is slow and occupancy time is higher. These eateries are usually waiter serviced and number of customers served per hour is lower than the previous type of restaurants. Here the lighting design demands more variations. This can be done by keeping the general lighting level lower and supplementing it with accent and task lights. General lighting in the dining/seating area can be done with down lighters or up lighters or up lighting can also be successfully employed to create a cozy intimate ambience. High standing up lighters or pendant up lighters with opaque lampshade below the blub can be employed which will provide general light as well as accentuate ceiling or cornice ornamentation. General lighting for the circulation passages within the dining area should be a little higher to demarcate and also to facilitate movement. This can be done chiefly by ceiling mounted down lighters. Luminous ceiling panels can also be employed.

Within the dining area, accent cum task lights over the dining tables should supplemented the low level of the general lighting. This can be done with narrow beam ceiling mounted or pendant lights. It will create a small zone of comparatively darker area between the adjacent tables to enhance the privacy of the diners.

As usually these kind of eateries have a high specification décor, accent lights and special lights can also play an important role. Accent lighting with down lighters or wall washers can be provided for paintings, plants or other displays. Special effects can be created with valance lighting or cove lighting which will also supplement the general lighting. Accent cum task lights can be provided over the waiter stations, reception cum cash counter etc.

It must be mentioned that all types of lighting such as general, accent and task lighting and the different modes employed e.g. up lighting, downlighting and wall washing must be blended well so that the overall effect of lighting creates an ambience of uniform and integrated space.  

LIGHTING DESIGN OF SHOWROOMS

In lighting design of showrooms, the foremost factor to be considered is the colour rendering quality of the light source which should be very high as the display of merchandise is one of the primary activities here. Hence incandescent or warm white fluorescent lights are most suitable options.

General lighting level in showroom may vary between medium to high. In boutiques or speciality showrooms, general lighting may be kept at medium level, supplementing it with accent and task lights. In mass merchandising showroom, an overall high level of general lighting can be provided with minimum accent or task lights. As the walls are usually occupied with the displays of merchandise, ceiling mounted recessed and semi-recessed light sources or luminous ceiling panels are the best options for general lighting.

In boutiques or speciality showrooms, accent lights play an important role. For this purpose, ceiling mounted track lighting can be employed on wall siaplay units whereas ceiling mounted narrow beam down lighters or pendants can be used over counter displays and kiosks. Front display window requires a variety of accent lights depending upon the type of display; e.g. up lighters or down lighters can be used for mannequins, whereas wall washers can be employed for shelf display.

Requirements of task lighting is minimum in showroom. Where the general lighting level is medium. Task lights may be provided over cash, delivery or packaging counters with down lighters.

It must be mentioned that all types of lighting e.g. general, accent and task lighting and the different modes employed e.g. up lighting, down lighting and wall washing must be blended well so that the overall effect of lighting creates an ambience of uniform and integrated space.

LIGHTING DESIGN OF SHOPPING MALLS

Any commercial lighting project for a typical mall, or atrium, starts with selection of the lamps, or light sources. Most property owners prefer to use as few lamp types as possible to reduce maintenance and stocking costs. Four or five lamp types is a good compromise in most cases., but most lighting designers try to stay with one lamp wattage for each major type specified.

In specifying the stable of lamps, consider using the following products:

HID lamps (metal halide is the only real choice), Fluorescent lamps, PAR halogen lamps, compact fluorescent sources, and one or two incandescent lamps for accent or sparkle.

Energizing the metal halide lamp The metal halide (MH) light source is an excellent choice for providing the ambient, or general lighting level in a shopping plaza. The layout of such lamps should produce 20-fc horizontal, or less, of illumination. New, low wattage MH lamps can be applied in ceilings as low as 9 ft.

Also consider the new high efficiency 350-w MH lamp that delivers 44,000 lumens compared to 36,000 lumens produced by a standard 400-w lamp and the 40,000 lumens of a high output 400/BU lamp.

Scones, torches, lanterns, and lampposts bring a human scale to interior spaces and can become signature decorative pieces that identify a plaza or court. Even if sparingly used, custom decorative lighting fixtures can create character and a sense of scale while at the same time providing basic building illumination. If desired, they can also be visible, apparent light source.