As a new year approaches, new design trends emerge. Beyond the always popular “color of the year” presented by authorities of the paint and color industry, and furniture concepts constantly evolving to respond to the transformation of the office as we know it, designers are becoming increasingly aware of other elements that define interior spaces, such as lighting.
The inception of solid-state lighting (SSL), which uses semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and other light sources such as OLEDs and PLEDs, has redefined how lighting can enhance interior spaces. The growing adoption of LED lighting in new construction and remodels over the last decade has revolutionized commercial interior lighting, from sleeker form factors to precise controllability of luminaires.
LED luminaires contribute to curtailing the environmental impact of lighting through the reduction of energy consumption and their long useful life, multiple times that of fluorescent or other legacy light sources. The confluence of these highly efficient light sources, consumers’ awareness of the environmental impact of building products, and designers’ focus on developing unique environments centered around human well-being brings about a transformational stage for the building industry.
In 2020, we can expect to see the following lighting trends permeate commercial environments and propel changes in the workplace that promote well-being and create more comfortable environments.
Advanced LED technology that delivers light people prefer
LEDs are capable of offering more than energy savings. These inherently electronic devices have transformed luminaires from simple light sources to devices that support intelligent building management. As technology progresses and the desire to deliver more human-centric environments increases, LEDs are being developed as a means to address human needs beyond simple task lighting.
For millennia, we have evolved under the light produced by the sun, fire, and candlelight and have become accustomed to the warm glow of these natural light sources. In the past few years, independent studies have converged to identify common benefits resulting from the optimization of the spectral content of LEDs to provide a rendered light quality that is preferred by humans, likely resulting in enhanced productivity and well-being.
More specifically, these studies prescribe a general over-saturation in the red spectrum as well as an overall slight over-saturation of the light source to enhance the perceived appearance of common objects. The resultant spectrum renders skin tones which appear more natural and healthier, organic materials such as wood which seem warmer, and colors which look more vibrant overall. Using this information, specifiers can select light sources that are not only functional and sustainable, but that also enhance the architecture and experience of a space, making the occupants feel more comfortable.