FOCUS LIGHTING
A recent study by Harvard Business
Review found that access to natural
light was one of the biggest influencers
on employee performance, wellbeing and
happiness (see References, note 1). But
what do you do if your o ice space can’t
cater for this?
For the majority of businesses, installing
more windows is simply not an option, while
traditional lighting technologies have so
far fallen short of the challenge. LEDs are a
viable alternative, with advantages for both
employer and employee.
The light-emitting diode (LED) dates
back to the early 20th century, when it was
used as an indicator on electrical devices
such as TVs. Fast forward a few decades
and they have become prominent, utilised
across multiple functions and industries.
28 MARCH 2020
LEDs are a fierce competitor in the domestic
and commercial lighting market, challenging
traditional technologies such as halogen and
incandescent lamps. In the o ice environment,
the benefits of LEDs are extensive, including cost
savings, reduced carbon footprint and a happier,
healthier workforce.
Versatile in nature, the LED can be used in
an infinite number of lighting applications.
Unlike the standard form of traditional lamps,
LEDs can be combined and shaped in various
ways to produce the desired illumination.
This adaptability o ers ample opportunity for
innovation, with applications ranging from the
classic desk lamp to modern mood lighting.
One of the most groundbreaking applications
of LED technology is the creation of virtual
sky panels, designed to replace conventional
suspended o ice ceilings. The light-laced
modules mimic the sky, producing
a natural daylight e ect that leads
employees to feel they are working
under the sky.
LEDs have superior colour capability,
opening up a wide range of design
possibilities. Unlike incandescent and
halogen lamps, they are able to project
a wide spectrum of ‘white light’. The
so tones of ‘warm white’ and the powerful
impact of ‘cool white’ are the main colour
temperatures available, but variations can be
achieved to create a colour of choice. For those
organisations looking to mimic daylight in the
o ice, LEDs have a very high colour rendering
index, meaning they reveal the actual colour of
objects nearly as well as natural light.
LEDs are the most e icient lamps on the
market, using up to 90 per cent less energy
than incandescent sources while producing
the same level of light. The reason behind this
is technical, but essentially LEDs do not need
to heat up to emit light, instead only requiring
a small electrical current to operate. This
makes them extremely durable compared to
traditional technologies – they can last up to 30
years, depending on the type of fixture.
MAKING LIGHT WORK
Stewart Simon, Managing Director of Coulter Offi ce
Interiors, makes the case for LEDs as the smart
lighting choice for the modern workplace