S hedding a little light Lighting design can be used to enhance an aesthetic expression as well as providing schoolteachers with an efficient pedagogical tool. Additionally, light has a positive effect on our general health and well-being.
Light is adaptive which means that for it to have an effect one needs to come from something less bright. That is why we work with clearly defined boundaries between zones in terms of light levels and colour tones. However, the boundaries need to be formed by pleasant contrasts in respect of and to not disrupt the surrounding public space. We do not wish to contribute to the fight for attention between bright lights that often finds a way into greater city areas.
In northern Copenhagen, a new trademark for a local neighbourhood has arisen in the shape of a large light ring, almost six meters high. The iconic light circle has a circumference of about 80 meters and frames a new meeting point for the neighbouring young people and local citizens. The square has been transformed into an inviting multifunctional urban space with a football field and classic Copenhagen-style benches beneath a radiating circle of light. The glowing circle is lit at 100 % power one hour before sunset when daylight still dominates. The light then dims gradually during twilight in step with the increasing darkness. The light intensity drops to 25 % during civil twilight, to 5 % during nautical twilight until it glows with an intensity of 2 % during astronomical twilight. The glowing circle’s colour tones vary and adapt to match the changeable colours of twilight. Thus, the light is programmed to match and follow the twilight period, which of course varies throughout the year. As one might expect, the lighting project has required a lot of professional thoughts and considerations. Our Project Director in Lighting Design, Merete Madsen, explains how it is particularly important to understand the physiology of the eye while considering the setting for the lighting design:
THEME
Merete Madsen Project Director Lighting Design Copenhagen
A varied landscape of light Variation is an equally important instrument when designing indoor lighting. Especially, if we want the light to match people’s physiological needs. Here, our natural circadian rhythm is an important factor
DESIGNING SOLUTIONS FOR A POSITIVE LIFE
