There is a revolutionary shift underway in the lighting industry from designing and developing individual luminaries to the creation of easily changeable lighting scenarios. This has been brought about by a greater understanding of the effect of light on biological rhythms as well as the development of new technologies. Philips is very much at the forefront of this shift with the design of a number of dynamic lighting solutions. Five Philips lighting products won awards at the iF 2006 Design Awards, from which the Philips Pedestrian LED Luminaire won the Gold award.
In the 19th Century, people were limited by the hours of daylight as to what they could achieve. The development of lighting solutions extended the working day, helped people become educated and much more. In this sense, lighting was purely functional. Recently however, lighting solutions are less about providing ample light for certain tasks (technical performance is now implicit) and more about creating an atmosphere or mood. And as the usage of a space changes, the lighting solution must be able to be altered easily to reflect that change and create a different scenario.
Looking into the effect of light
A great deal of research has been undertaken into the effects of light on biological rhythms. Indeed, it has recently been discovered that a third receptor exists in the eye that significantly influences the way we wake up and fall asleep. Harnessing this knowledge means light solutions can, for example, be used to help cure jet lag. Philips research has been carried out into cool and warm light colors and the hormones that determine the rhythm of alertness, energetic and sleepiness.
It has also been found that more dynamic light – light that changes over time in level and color temperature and can be adapted according to mood or task – is better to work in than flat light. Indeed, dynamic lighting has been proven to have a beneficial effect on our well being, helping us feel more alert, be more motivated and therefore more productive. Dynamic Lighting also enables workers to adapt both the lighting level and lighting color to their personal needs and preferences.
The role of lighting design
These research insights of the lighting arena are prompting the development of a new language to describe light – similar to that for taste. The creation of such language is part of the role of Philips Design. Mirroring the move within the Philips organization, Philips Design also looks at the more human side of light solutions and is creating concepts that address the real needs of people. In this respect, it focuses on three key areas: efficiency (solutions that enable our daily routine), lifestyle (solutions that enhance our surroundings in the way we want) and well-being (solutions that make us feel well). Designers then look into how technologies can be used to enable these solutions.
Lighting up with LED
The introduction of new technologies such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) is also having a profound effect on the development of lighting solutions. An LED is basically a tiny light source that allows for changes in terms of color, warmth and so on and fits easily into an electrical circuit. But unlike an ordinary lightbulb, it doesn't have a filament that will burn out, making it a more sustainable solution. Due to the limited rise of temperature, LED technology can be integrated into a myriad of locations, including wallpaper, making it also a much more flexible light solution and allowing designers greater space for their imagination. Indeed, designers are currently looking at how this new light source can be integrated into a number of different elements and they are helping to imagine a new future with LEDs.
Externally, LEDs can be integrated into walls and buildings to highlight specific features or parts of the building rather than having to floodlight the entirety. They can also be integrated into street furniture to create a mood or atmosphere in a marketplace or simply help increase safety at night. Another advantage of LEDs is that they can be software controlled, further facilitating the creation of light scenarios.
Making the move to light scenarios
The move from the more functional use of light to the creation of ambiance has been successfully used in the retail sector for some time and this is now entering the office space. In terms of the home environment, dynamic lighting is still an extremely new proposition and the cost of changing from current scenarios to a whole new system in existing buildings is currently prohibitive. Experts believe that different light sources will exist side-by-side for at least the next 20 years or so. In addition, the design of an appropriate user interface is key and, whatever the future user interface looks like; Philips will develop it to be user-friendly, automated and responsive.
Award-winning office lighting range
For the office environment, Philips has developed the award-winning SAVIO range. SAVIO offers an edge-to-edge, uniform surface of light at a comfortable brightness and conforming to all required office standards (glare control, adequate lighting, etc.). Indeed, SAVIO features Philips’ patented micro-lens optic (MLO) technology that means the lamps are not directly visible, completely avoiding any problems of glare.
The thinking behind the SAVIO range was to combine technological advances with insights into well-being to help employees feel fitter and have more energy and thereby increase their levels of productivity. SAVIO can be programmed to follow and enhance the ‘human’ rhythm creating a dynamic atmosphere from the morning, though lunchtime to the evening. Light can be changed in terms of brightness and color temperature and changes feel natural. With SAVIO, employees can even control the light above their individual space in accordance with time, mood or simply the task they are doing.