FMJ.CO.UK LIGHTING FOCUS
O„ ices are being transformed into more collaborative spaces, with common areas and conference rooms being
modified to allow more space per individual. There will no longer be a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes
to lighting, with a more complex mix of lighting required to illuminate the di„ erent areas that make up any
o„ ice space. Comfortable ambient lighting will remain important for open seating areas, while more specialised
lighting will be employed in communal spaces. In reception areas, where businesses will want to be safely
registering visitors, brighter, more clinical lighting may be used.
MAKING A STATEMENT
To tempt employees back into the o„ ice, employers are investing in their interior and statement lighting
to create attractive, exciting environments where people can truly enjoy spending their time. As this trend
develops, there may be a surge in demand for statement lighting, with pendants and other decorative-style
lights increasingly appearing in workplaces as we move away from rows of desks to more collaborative, shared,
boutique-style spaces.
We can expect to see a significant jump in demand for quality products that deliver low glare, low flicker, and
higher colour rendering. Visual balance will move up the light quality agenda, with more focus given to avoid
substantial changes in light levels as employees move around the o„ ice.
THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
With more of a focus than ever before on the impact we’re all having on the planet there will be more emphasis
than ever on lighting equipment being manufactured, maintained, and recycled in line with circular economy
principles. There’s an increasing recognition amongst switched on facilities managers that buying cheap lighting
products is not only a false economy, but it’s also bad from a sustainability perspective, with cheap products
o¬ en having a significantly shorter life-span than more quality alternatives.
Quality and durability are now key considerations and UK manufacturers are increasingly going the extra mile
to ensure that their products meet this criterion. All too o¬ en, cheap products are discarded when there’s a
problem because it’s either impossible to service them or very di„ icult. Quality products are generally far easier
to maintain and service, prolonging the life of the application and creating less waste.
British-made lighting systems are some of the best in the world, and I believe we’ll see greater demand for
British-made systems moving forward in line with more of a focus on quality and sustainability.
IN CONTROL
Intelligent lighting controls can be used to dim or turn o„ unnecessary lighting. Using motion-detecting
sensors, will deliver a myriad of benefits including significant net energy savings, increased lighting control and
performance, and access to real-time data to inform operating decisions.
Many modern systems can work wirelessly, and their versatility means they can be applied in any environment
to suit any needs - which is especially beneficial for retrofitting or for commercial o„ ices with hard-to-wire areas.
OCTOBER 2021 37
Connected or Casambi technology OCTO
o„ ers a comprehensive range of features
that interact flawlessly with a smart device.
Luminaires can be linked together
to create di„ erent scenes, groups and
schedules. Operated via Wi-Fi and
Bluetooth, they can be programmed
to respond to voice or motion, can be
operated remotely and can even be
integrated with eco systems such as Alexa.
They also eliminate the reliance on human
intervention, reducing the risk of users
accidentally leaving the lights on and
wasting energy. There are many products
available that can do this, from interior
downlights to outdoor bi-directional wall
lights and garden spikes.
LIGHTENING THE MOOD
In addition to fully connected systems,
there are a large number of smart lighting
products available which naturally regulate
energy use by controlling the quality and
quantity of light.
Daylight harvesting systems for example,
allow buildings to maximise the availability
of natural lighting, thereby reducing the
need for electric lighting during periods of
high-level daylight. For example, in a
space with significant levels of natural
daylight, the need for artificial lighting will
be less, compared to areas deeper into the
space where the natural lighting is either
reduced or non-existent.
Products with corridor functionality or
intuitive presence and absence detection
sensors are also a brilliant solution for
reducing energy consumption and
ensuring that lights are only in use
when needed. In spaces where lighting
is required 24/7, they can also be used
to increase output to 100 per cent when
presence is detected ensuring energy
for full illumination is only used when
required.
One of the key reasons for returning
to the workplace is to improve sta„
wellbeing and productivity. Smart lighting
can complement this and help to further
improve wellbeing by changing the colour
aspect of light throughout the day to match
natural circadian rhythms. Using natural,
cool or warm light at di„ erent times of
the day can help to focus employees and
improve their sleep patterns – resulting in
happier, healthier sta„ .
There is strong evidence to suggest that
light can have a real impact on emotions,
a lack of light is commonly known to lead
to low mood whilst too much brightness
can lead to ‘hot’ emotions. Smart lighting
systems make it much easier to establish an
ambient level brightness, helping to reduce
mood swings that can a„ ect individuals and
their decision making.
LIGHTING TRENDS APanda SpeiJKt, 1ational %Xsiness DevelopPent ManaJer at C)(
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