Lighting Archives

Lissoni Architecture creates New York showroom with “melting pot attitude”

Local studio Lissoni Architecture has expanded the Design Holding flagship in New York City, creating an entirely new floor outfitted with light displays and curving metallic installations.

Lissoni Architecture, the US branch of Italian studio Lissoni & Partners, created an entirely new second floor and redesigned a portion of the first floor for the Design Holding showroom, which displays furniture and lighting brands including B&B Italia, Flos, Louis Poulsen, Maxalto, Arclinea and Azucena.

New York building facade — Lissoni Architecture has created an expansion for the Design Holding showroom in New York

Lighting and design elements from the brands were distributed across the second-floor space, spread out amongst vertical stone-clad panels, transparent, metal showcases, and curving chrome benches and walls.

Each area of the floor was dedicated to a specific brand and the interior architecture was tailored to each brand’s identity, according to the studio.

Red chair in showroom — The project encompasses a new second floor and an expansion and redesign of the first

“We wanted to share the melting pot attitude of New York City where everyone and everything can blend together holistically so we went to the essence of the iconic brands,” said Lissoni Architecture founder Piero Lissoni.

“[We highlighted] their DNA and proposed a common ground that could host and enhance the design codes of each identity.”

A wall of lights and windows — The studio created dedicated areas for brands including Flos and B&B Italia

For lighting brand Flos, the studio created a series of display cases backed by a transparent mesh. A magnetized, geometric Bilboquet light by designer Philippe Malouin is on display, as well as the Almendra chandelier affixed with almond-shaped flakes by Patricia Urquiola.

A testing room for clients was also created for the brand, which consists of a curved, metal wall that meets a series of angled panels that act as an entrance for the room.

Tables in a showroom — The various displays were informed by the “melting pot” attitude of New York City

Another corner of the floor was dedicated to the display of the Skynest chandelier by Marcel Wanders, which resembles an inverted basket interlaced with cords of light.

Displays for Flos and Louis Poulsen consist of inserted panels and curving planting beds that are populated with a number of lighting fixtures from both brands.

A room with a curving metal wall — Metallic panels, warm wood, and dark cladding were used throughout the second-floor space

Dark, metal cladding used in the Flos displays contrasts the off-white and beiges used throughout the Louis Poulsen space, but both flank a B&B Italia lounge that sits at the centre of the floor, which features a bright-red chair from the Up series by Gaetano Pesce.

A B&B Italia wardrobe was also created for the showroom, which sits next to an Arclinea kitchen display.

A black ash finish was used to clad a large cabinet unit, which sits behind a Thea island topped with a quartz waterfall countertop.

Lighting by Louis Poulsen, including the Patera Oval pendant by designer Øivind Slaatt, was tucked into the furthest corner of the space, with pieces distributed amongst wooden tables and a low-lying display unit.

A show room with white furniture — A separate entrance leads to a Maxalto space on the first floor

On the first floor, a new space dedicated to Maxalto is accessible through a separate entrance, with pieces such as the brand’s Arbiter sofa system positioned against walls clad in black.

Design Holding, a global retailer founded in 2018, recently added furniture brands Menu, By Lassen and Brdr Petersen to its portfolio after an agreement with Denmark-based company Designers Company.

Piero Lissoni announced the founding of the US branch of his studio last year, saying that the US has become more “open-minded” in terms of architecture.

The photography is courtesy Design Holding.

Reference

Sustainable News

Snøhetta designs compostable hemp light Superdupertube

By Zarkon Group,13/03/2024

Norwegian studio Snøhetta has teamed up with lighting brand Ateljé Lyktan to create Superdupertube, an office lamp made from extruded hemp and sugarcane bioplastic.

The design is a contemporary update of Ateljé Lyktan‘s Supertube – an office light from the 1970s made from extruded aluminium.

Hemp lamp by Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan — The Superdupertube is a modern take on the Supertube lamp

“[The Supertube] had finished production in 2010 or something like that, so it was iconic but sort of forgotten,” Snøhetta partner Jenny B Osuldsen told Dezeen. “And it’s a tube. It’s not rocket science but it is what you need for a smart lamp in an office.”

“We really loved it and think it has a lot of possibilities, so we wanted to upgrade it to a new level,” she added.

Tubular hemp lamp — It is made from hemp and can be industrially composted. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

The extrusion technique for the original lamp was developed in the 1960s, and Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan decided to create a lamp that would nod to the original design.

However, the aim was to lower the carbon footprint of the lamp by choosing the most sustainable material possible.

View of compostable lamp made from hemp — Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan chose to use hemp as the material is renewable and durable

The studios played around with multiple different materials before settling on the hemp bioplastic, which was used to form Snøhetta’s first office lighting design.

Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan first worked together on The 7th Room, a charred-timber cabin suspended among the treetops in northern Sweden, for which they also collaborated on the lighting design.

Detailed view of Superdupertube lamp — The lighting features twisted louvres. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

“When we were doing The 7th Room project up in northern Sweden, everything was in pine and there were lots of pine cones,” Osuldsen said.

“We wanted to find a product or material that isn’t used for anything else, so we started testing the use of pine cones by grinding them, but it didn’t work.”

“The fibres in the cones are too short,” said Ateljé Lyktan product director Malin Gadd. “We also tried using coffee grounds but they are even shorter, so we realised quite quickly that we needed fibres that are long and strong.”

“That’s where the hemp fibres come into the picture,” she added.

Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan sourced the hemp used for the lights from the Netherlands, as the quality of the hemp from Swedish farmers “wasn’t quite there yet”, according to Gadd.

The Superdupertube light shown in an interior — Its shape is both extruded and injection-moulded

The hemp is mixed with a polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic derived from sugarcane, alongside wood cellulose and different minerals to create a fossil- and gas-free composite.

The material is then extruded to create the main body of the lamp, which also comprises injection-moulded louvres and side covers. To add to the organic feel of the light, its electric cables are covered with linen fabric.

“Hemp is an old cultural plant and it’s very easy to renew [by growing more],” Osuldsen said. “And it’s very durable.”

Fastening on hemp lamp by Ateljé Lyktan — Linen fabric covers the electric cable. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

The Superdupertube can be composted in an industrial composter or recycled and ground down into pellets to create more lamps.

However, this currently requires owners to send the lamps back to the producer, as the material cannot be processed in regular recycling centres.

Using the hemp bioplastic reduces the lamp’s carbon footprint by over 50 per cent compared to traditional aluminium variants, according to Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan.

Colour of Superdupertube — The Superdupertube comes in a natural colour. Photo by Ateljé Lyktan

The dimmable Superdupertube features twisted louvres – an architectural detail that helps the light feel softer by angling the glare away.

“That’s why it’s a perfect workspace luminaire, it’s adapted to be better for the person sitting working and it’s also totally unique – it doesn’t exist on the market,” Gadd said.

The Superdupertube, which comes in four different lengths, has an organic beige colour with a natural pattern from the hemp and other ingredients.

Wooden wall behind Superdupertube lamp — It is the first time Snøhetta has designed an office lamp

“We didn’t really know how it would look,” Osuldsen said. “The material is the colour of the hemp. And, of course, there’s probably something from the sugarcane because it’s heated up. It’s burnt sugar in a way.”

“So we get this specific colour and that also means that all of them will be a little bit different,” she added. “It’s all about the crops; if it’s a wet year or a dry year, the humidity in the material will be a little bit different. That’s why it’s sort of alive.”

Other recent Snøhetta projects include a glass-lined library in China designed to look like a forest and a hexagonal paving system for urban landscapes.

The photography is by Jonas Lindstrom unless otherwise stated.

Reference

Interior Design

Yellow lighting illuminates Le Père store in New York by BoND

By Zarkon Group,07/01/2024

New York architecture studio BoND has used tubular lighting to create a bright yellow glow inside this men’s apparel store on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

The first flagship for cult fashion label Le Père occupies a 1,000-square-foot (93-square-metre) corner unit on Orchard Street.

Store interior with white walls, wooden floors and a central yellow column — The flagship store for Le Père is largely painted white to allow the bright clothing to stand out

Utilising the store’s large exposure to the street, BoND opted to create an interior that would be just as impactful from the exterior as it is once inside.

“BoND designed the store to feel like a canvas, highlighting the design elements of the clothes while ensuring the space is a place that creators feel encouraged to spend time in,” the team said.

A central column encased in a translucent yellow box — A central column is encased in a translucent yellow box

The firm’s approach was to leave the majority of the space white, allowing the boldly patterned clothing to stand out, then highlighting the fitting rooms using bright yellow lighting and surfaces.

A structural column in the centre of the store encased in a translucent box is also fitted with lights to give off a sunny glow.

Yellow fitting room with a rail of clothing to the right — Yellow lighting installed in the fitting rooms emits an inviting glow

This yellow aura is immediately apparent from the street and is meant to entice passersby to step inside.

Neon lighting has seen a resurgence in retail and other commercial interiors of the past year, appearing everywhere from a Brooklyn cafe to a Calgary chicken shop.

Pair of yellow fitting rooms with tube lights either side of the mirrors — The tube lights were installed on either side of mirrors in the fitting rooms, which are also yellow

At Le Père, other elements like the tops of vintage Artek furniture are coloured red and black, to borrow from the street signs across the neighbourhood.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains along the back wall create a soft and neutral backdrop for the apparel, which is displayed on industrial metal racks.

Close-up on a curved bench with a row of cylindrical seat pillows — Custom furniture pieces were designed by BoND and fabricated by Lesser Miracle

Wide-plank wood floors are laid across the main shop floor, which doubles as a space for gatherings, conversations, exhibitions and events.

Custom furniture pieces including a curved bench were designed by BoND and fabricated by Brooklyn design and art studio Lesser Miracle.

“The design scheme blurs the lines between a store, a home and an art studio – a space that is both aspirational and livable, combining contemporary and historic elements as a playful strategy,” said the studio.

On the exterior, a generous portion of the facade is given over to a giant billboard that Le Père will use to present its seasonal visual campaigns and artwork by the brand’s collaborators.

Billboard across a storefront — A large portion of the facade is given over to a billboard to display the brand’s campaigns

The debut placement for Fall/Winter 2023 was titled And Sometimes Boys and influenced by the work of Korean visual artist Nam June Paik.

BoND was founded by Noam Dvir and Daniel Rauchwerger, who previously designed the global headquarters and showroom for the Brazilian brand PatBo in New York.

Le Père store exterior on Orchard Street — The glow from the yellow lighting is designed to entice in shoppers on the Lower East Side. Photo by BoND

The duo earlier overhauled an apartment in Chelsea for themselves, turning the dark, divided space into a light-filled home.

The photography is by Stefan Kohli, unless stated otherwise.

Reference

Interior Design

Bacana Studio designs interiors for riverfront Lisbon restaurant

By Zarkon Group,22/12/2023

Lisbon interior design practice Bacana Studio took cues from Portugal’s coastal traditions for the interiors of a João Luís Carrilho da Graça-designed Anfibio restaurant.

Located alongside the Tejo river, the restaurant was designed to “merge the duality of the sea and the land,” the interiors studio told Dezeen.

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant — Striped benches create a corridor from the bar to the terrace

Named Anfibio – Latin for amphibious, meaning suited for both land and water – the restaurant serves both local seafood and “countryside produce”.

It is located in a glass-walled, pavilion-like structure designed by local architecture studio João Luís Carrilho da Graça alongside the Tejo river and its interiors were informed by its riverfront location drawing on the “dazzling reflections of the sun on the water”.

Within the 500-square-metre restaurant, which is used as a nightclub in the evenings, wooden flooring was stained with a “watery green” colour and a mirror-like fabric was used on the ceiling to reflect and refract light.

“The building’s architecture aims to blend in and go unnoticed, striving to merge with the river and reflect the city of Lisbon,” said Bacana Studio founder Ingrid Aparicio.

Anfibio restaurant — The restaurant is located on the Tejo river

According to the Bacana Studio, the open plan layout and five-metre-high ceilings posed a lighting and acoustic challenge.

As a result, the studio focused on “creating visual and functional interest from the ground up” with decorative elements, lighting and architectural features rising up from the floor.

“It’s the lighting itself that shapes and defines the spaces,” Aparicio explained. “We devised a concept where lighting emanates from the furniture, creating intimate spaces and avoiding the sensation of being in a vast and cold space.”

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant lighting — Light fittings emerge from the furniture

Small brass-shaded table lamps and arched brass and glass lamps, which were crafted to resemble the antennas of aquatic creatures, provide ambient lighting for each table and unify the space.

Visitors are greeted by a curvilinear “snake sofa” that divides the restaurant into two areas – an intimate zone with smaller tables on one side, and a more communal area with a large 10-seater table on the other.

“The design is meant to encourage you to let loose, which is why the organic shapes in the sofas, tables, and chairs, create an interesting flow to the space,” explained Aparicio.

On either end of the intimate zone is a long, 20-seater community table. The studio designed these with an aim to pay homage to the spirit of Lisbon’s traditional fish markets, serving as “a symbolic nod to the shared dining experiences fostered in such lively and communal settings”.

The wait-staff station and the wood, wicker and brass bar separate the kitchen from the dining area.

Two long, striped benches, positioned with their backs facing each other, lead out to the terrace, “segmenting the expansive layout of the restaurant into more intimate sections”.

The terrace, overlooking the port and the city of Lisbon, aims to “evoke the essence of an authentic beach club”.

Stripes were prominently used on the walls, upholstery, and furnishings, reminiscent of Portuguese fishermen’s cottages and coastal awnings.

Anfibio by Bacana Studio restaurant terrace. — Natural materials such as wood and wicker were prominently used

Other restaurant interiors recently featured on Dezeen include a Mexico City restaurant arranged around an upside-down pyramid bar and a converted Norwegian restaurant covered in restored paintings.

The photography is by Filipe Neto.

Reference

Interior Design

Neon lighting illuminates Strip Joint Chicken by Amanda Hamilton

By Zarkon Group,12/10/2023

Canadian studio Amanda Hamilton Interior Design has used bold colour-blocking and neon lighting to give this Calgary chicken shop a “1990s meets Memphis” feel.

Strip Joint Chicken in the city’s East Village neighbourhood is a fast-casual restaurant that serves “chicken fingers with a twist”.

Midnight blue vestibule with neon strips across the walls and ceiling — A dark entrance vestibule sets the tone for Strip Joint Chicken’s dining space beyond

The brand is fun, playful and cheeky, so the interiors of its 2,200-square-foot (204-square-metre) space needed to reflect this.

Working with a return client, Amanda Hamilton Interior Design leant fully into the “offbeat” concept, creating an elevated interpretation of a seedy bar or nightclub that founder Amanda Hamilton described as “1990s meets Memphis”.

The words "Strip Joint" written on a wall in a striped typeface — A trio of colourful stripes is used to guide customers to the ordering area, and also spells out the brand’s name on the wall

“At times subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) design elements take a nod (or a big ol’ bow) playing to the restaurant’s name,” said the designer. “In a market saturated with options for fast casual, standing out was key.”

The main entrance vestibule is painted midnight blue and illuminated by vertical bands of neon lighting that connect wall-to-wall across the ceiling. This immersive passageway sets the tone for the main dining area, which is similarly lit with neon.

Fluorescent-blue neon tubes suspended above a service counter — Tangles of fluorescent-blue neon tubes are suspended above the service counter

Tangled fluorescent-blue tubes are positioned above the bar and service counter, while pink and yellow glow from LED strips within large colour-blocked arches that accommodate built-in seating for a row of dining tables.

“Coloured lighting is used extensively to feature architectural details, enhance volumetric space, ground the bar and highlight seating areas,” Hamilton said.

Pink arched niche with built-in seating and dining tables — LED strips illuminate colour-blocked arched niches, which accommodate bench seating

Part of a larger retail space that was divided into four units, the chicken shop is accessible from both sides of the building.

Therefore, close attention was paid to the flow of people through the space, and wayfinding tools were implemented to assist both dine-in and take-out customers.

A trio of arched niches lit up in pink and yellow — The arched niches provide space for dine-in guests to enjoy their chicken out the way of take-out customers

A trio of thin, coloured stripes are inlaid across floors to guide hungry patrons to the ordering area.

The same triple-line motif spells out the brand’s name in large letters across a wall, above a pink scallop-topped bench accompanied by small tables and terrazzo stools.

Custom-designed feathery wallpaper adorns the back of the central arch and inside the “tender neutral” bathrooms, which are tucked behind bright pink doors.

For guests wishing to stay longer, a private dining area named the Hens Den is obscured from view by gauzy drapery.

Bathroom interior with feathery wallpaper — Custom feathery wallpaper adorns the bathroom interiors

This monochromatic room features a brass pole in the centre of its dining table, around which a lazy susan for sharing food rotates.

“As an extension of the space, the predominately custom furniture is equal parts playful and sculptural, creating a conversation-worthy addition to the space,” Hamilton said.

Bathroom with feathery wallpaper and a bright pink door — Located behind bright pink doors, the bathrooms are designated as “tender neutral”

The designer founded her eponymous studio in Calgary, where she’s based, and also operates a second location out of Vancouver.

A trend for bright psychedelia in hospitality and entertainment spaces has been gaining pace recently, with other examples found in Seattle’s Supernova nightclub and the Resonant Head music venue in Oklahoma City.

The photography is by Joel Klassen.

Reference

Sustainable News

An intuitive human-centric lighting system

By Zarkon Group,24/07/2023

Spotted: As summer brings us brighter, longer days, the effects of sunlight on our energy levels and mood are undeniable. But did you know that light also affects our health? Working for prolonged periods in poor quality lighting can cause eyestrain and trigger migraines – particularly in harsh artificial lighting – as well as amplifying feelings of fatigue and anxiety. 

This is an issue Barcelona-based startup Kumux has set its sights on tackling. The company creates what it calls automatic human-centric lighting solutions. This technology acts as an ‘indoor sun’, working with the body’s natural rhythms rather than against them, mimicking natural daylight patterns with artificial dynamic light. 

Video source Kumux

Kumux works via a cloud-based API that can easily be integrated into any lighting control system with tunable lights. It then automatically alters light intensity and colour temperature, taking into account variables such as geolocation, date, time, and the type of activity or work occurring inside a room. 

The startup, which raised €500 million in it latest funding round, offers its solutions across various sectors, including healthcare, offices, schools, and hotels. The company also claims that its system can help with reducing light-related electricity consumption by up to 20 per cent and boost productivity by 4.5 per cent.

In the archive, Springwise has spotted other solutions fostering greater indoor well-being and productivity, including a lighting panel that boosts mood while working from home, and an artificial intelligence (AI) planting system.

Written By: Amanda Simms

Reference

Interior Design

Coil + Drift opens lighting studio and showroom in the Catskills

By Zarkon Group,18/03/2023

Lighting studio Coil + Drift has opened an office, showroom and production facility in the Catskill Mountains of Upstate New York that places modern elements in a barn-like building.

Coil + Drift founder John Sorensen-Jolink, who relocated to the area in 2021, has created a new home for his brand in a barn-like structure surrounded by nature.

Furniture arranged on raised platforms across the showroom — Coil + Drift’s new space in the Catskills showcases the brand’s products

“By relocating their queer-owned design business to the countryside, Coil + Drift is sparking a visceral conversation between people in a thriving rural creative community about how what we make defines who we are,” said the studio.

The building encompasses 3,000 square feet (280 square metres) and boasts tall ceilings, which are painted white along with its plywood-panelled walls.

Glass-topped metal desk positioned on a brown rug — The showroom includes an office space, defined by a chocolate-brown rug

The space is divided between a combined office and showroom, and a production facility where an in-house team now creates all of the company’s lighting designs.

In one corner of the showroom sits a black wood-burning stove, with a flue that extends through the roof, next to a pile of chopped logs used to fuel it.

Wood table on a plinth with brass light above — Furniture is displayed on stepped plinths, accompanied by lighting above

Chocolate-brown area rugs contrast the pale concrete floors, defining the entrance, the office space and a spot by the fire in lieu of walls or partitions.

Plinths are used to raise furniture designs, arranged in styled vignettes along with lighting, plants and small accessories.

More objects are displayed on wooden shelves of varying lengths, held up at different heights on thin golden rods.

Industrial-looking metal and glass doors mounted on rolling tracks separate the showroom from the workshop, which is located in an adjoining room.

Daybed presented on a raised plinth — The showroom features a white ceiling and walls, and a pale concrete floor

On show are several new additions to popular Coil + Drift collections, such as a floor version of the Yama table lamp and a “mobile-like” chandelier that joins the Atlas series.

Also to coincide with its move and expansion, the company has launched a trade-focused online platform for its products.

Wide shot of the showroom with yellow chair in the foreground — The building also houses a production facility behind industrial-style doors

Coil + Drift’s previous projects have included styling a townhouse in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights neighbourhood for Hatchet Design.

Sorensen-Jolink, a former dancer, is one of many creatives that moved from New York City to nearby rural areas, either during or following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Exterior view of the Coil + Drift showroom facing the door — Coil + Drift founder John Sorensen-Jolink relocated to the Catskills in 2021 before opening the new studio

Upstate New York, and particularly the Hudson Valley and Catskills area, was already growing in popularity as a destination for artists and designers before the lockdowns, thanks to its reputation for vintage furniture shopping and art institutions.

Then low property prices and high demand for space and fresh air sparked an exodus to the region, when many bought second homes or relocated permanently.

The photography is by Zach Hyman.

Reference

Architecture

A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Drawing Architectural Lighting Plans

By Zarkon Group,06/10/2022

The Fourth Annual One Drawing Challenge is open for entries! Architecture’s most popular drawing competition is back and bigger than ever, including larger prizes. Get started on your submission and hurry — the Main Entry Deadline of October 21st is fast-approaching.

Enter the One Drawing Competition

Are you interested in improving your architectural drawing technique? Follow along as the Founder of 30X40 Design Workshop and One Drawing juror Eric Reinholdt designs and draws an architectural lighting plan showing the necessary fixture types, switching, receptacle locations and all electrical devices and equipment. Designing such details in coordination with the other essential building systems — architectural, structural, mechanical and plumbing — affords the architect more control in the final outcome by anticipating how these systems will work in conjunction with invisible elements such as beams, ductwork, vent stacks.

Drawing and overlaying each helps to identify conflicts on paper where it’s much more efficient and cost-effective to make changes. In this video, you’ll see how the abstract concepts of ambient, task and accent lighting are accounted for and applied in a real-world design of a remote, off-the-grid residential project in Maine, USA.

Want to get your drawings in front of industry experts like Eric Reinholdt? Consider entering architecture’s biggest drawing competition, which Eric will judge along with other architectural figures such as Bob Borson, Dan Hogman and more!

Eric Reinholdt is an architect, founder of the residential architecture practice, 30X40 Design Workshop, author of Architect + Entrepreneur, innovator of progressive practice models, and the creator of the eponymous YouTube channel, 30X40 Design Workshop. From his remote island studio, Erc makes videos about architecture, designs simple, modern homes, and shares his process online.

Reference

Architecture

5 Powerful Ways Lighting Can Transform Simple Architectural Spaces

By Zarkon Group,04/06/2022

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 24th. Get started on your submission today!

Good lighting can make or break a well-designed interior project. In addition to optimizing the availability of natural light in a space, selecting the right light fixtures can augment the furniture inside and cement a tone for the entire space. Bright white lights can make writing or chopping easier whereas warm yellow lights can make dinners an elevated experience. Similarly, colored lights can liven up parties and candle-lit wall sconces can be perfect for cozy nights.

Layering a variety of lights can add depth to any space and make it more comfortable. This technique also helps utilize different parts of a space in different ways. The scale and size of light fittings can also help fill up spaces or make them look more spacious.

Natural Light

Apartment in Amsterdam by MAMM DESIGN, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Image by Takumi Ota Photography

For years, designers have been trying to maximize the amount of natural light within a space. Having an abundance of sunlight pouring into a space can help make it feel bright, airy and comfortable (this is especially due to its soothing tone and physical warmth). Another check in favor of designing for natural light: it cuts down on power use.

Exposure to the sun’s rays also helps regulate the body’s sleep cycles as well as overall health. In addition to windows, skylights have become increasingly popular to draw in light in interior spaces. Some interior designers also use cleverly arranged reflective surfaces throughout the space to help the light bounce off of surfaces and make the space feel brighter. Translucent partitions or latticed screens in homes can also help draw light to interior spaces that might otherwise be blocked by solid walls.

Ambient Light

Lenvix by STIPFOLD

Peaches Rooftop Cocktail Bar by Pierce Widera, Melbourne, Australia

This is perhaps the most important selection of lights for a space. Ambient light refers to the fixtures that are used to brighten the entire space, more often than not in a uniform manner. The tone used for ambient light can also determine the overall mood of the space. Offices tend to use white light to help carry out tasks efficiently under the brightness. On the other hand, warmer lighting schemes are gaining popularity in restaurants and homes for the warm and cozy atmosphere they can create.

Ambient lighting can be designed in a variety of ways. It can range from ceiling lights, track lights, wall lights and chandeliers to recessed circular and strip lights. Using dimmable fittings for ambient light can also help adjust brightness levels for different activities. Now, there are a variety of options and illumination systems that are not only functional but also quirky and trendy.

In Lenvix, STIPFOLD composed a hexagonal pattern on the ceiling using slimmer light fixtures. This not only brightens the space but also adds an additional pattern to the space and helps demarcate the seating area. Alternatively, the Peaches Rooftop Cocktail Bar features a canopy of pink-toned spherical pendant lights hanging from the ceiling to mimic peaches.

Task Lighting

Coil Collection Naturals by LightArt

Casa Cosmos by S-AR, Oaxaca, Mexico

This could be considered a secondary source of lighting. Task lighting is referred to lighting fixtures with a very specific function. Desk lamps, bedside lights, wardrobe lights, strip lights under kitchen cabinets and even staircase guiders can come under this category. Task lighting can help carve out secluded nooks and can also help easy navigation during the night. It is ideal to isolate the switches for task lights from the overall ambient light connection so that they can be used only when needed.

Decorative additions like the A+Award-winning Coil Collection Naturals can make a great bedside companion for late-night reading and can also be used as an additional light source near desks or in hallways. In Casa Cosmos, S-AR used a focused light fixture to brighten the concrete-backed seating area. Unlike the above example, these lights can also help separate the multiple functions within a space without the use of partitions.

Accent Lights

Sticks by Vibia

Hong Kong Garden / Theatre House by Bean Buro, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

The aim of accent lights is to draw attention to a specific object or an element, even when the general lights are on. These can be direct or indirect sources of light that highlight artwork, wall textures, level differences, recesses, false ceilings or other architectural elements in a space. This also adds more dimension and drama to the space. Types of accent lights range from small spotlights to wall-grazing linear lights.

The A+Award Winning Sticks is a modular design that can be used in a variety of ways to either focus on specific objects or illuminate specific areas in spaces. In the image above, the light is used to mimic the space of the doorway to accent not only the passage but also the wall texture. It also becomes an additional spotlight for the sides of a small stepped seating area. Accent lights also help highlight doors and partitions in Hong Kong Garden / Theatre House.

Decorative and Mood Lighting

Lo-Fi by SYNECDOCHE, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Media Plaza by Liong Lie Architects | Image by Christiaan de Bruijne

This category is often more to set a mood as opposed to being functional; it includes candle-based décor, string lights, lanterns, wall sconces and colored lights. These different techniques of illumination act as secondary light sources as they are not bright enough to help carry out everyday tasks without straining your eyes. There are extremely popular in restaurants and nightclubs as they help create an air of mystery and build tension without compromising the functionality of the furniture.

Neon blue and pink lights make up the interior of Lo-Fi in Michigan. The vibrancy of the lights energizes the otherwise dim space and also provides a great backdrop for photos, creating additional interest. In Media Plaza, a strip of blue wraps around the back wall of a projection room that is covered in foils that can change color when needed.

The A+Product Awards is open for entries, with a Main Entry Deadline of June 24th. Get started on your submission today!

Reference

Lighting

Lissoni Architecture creates New York showroom with “melting pot attitude”

Snøhetta designs compostable hemp light Superdupertube

Yellow lighting illuminates Le Père store in New York by BoND

Bacana Studio designs interiors for riverfront Lisbon restaurant

Neon lighting illuminates Strip Joint Chicken by Amanda Hamilton

An intuitive human-centric lighting system

Coil + Drift opens lighting studio and showroom in the Catskills

A Step-By-Step Guide to Designing and Drawing Architectural Lighting Plans

5 Powerful Ways Lighting Can Transform Simple Architectural Spaces

Natural Light

Ambient Light

Task Lighting

Accent Lights

Decorative and Mood Lighting

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