The right office light
Ideas and tips for those who wish to improve the light in their working environment.
The importance of light
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Light has a greater impact on us than most people are aware Good lighting increases well-being and enhances performance; Inefficient lighting impairs health and efficiency. In this brochure you’ll find tips and advice for how lighting can best be optimized in your office environment.
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Contents The importance of light The office workplace SOLUTIONS Meeting rooms reception areas Rest- and lunchrooms corridors Options Luxo
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The office workplace
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As computers have become a focal point in office workspaces, adjustable, individualized lighting has become an even more important ergonomic concern. Most of the light should fall on the place where you do your reading, for example, your desktop. The rest of your workspace should have less light. It is important that you do not experience glare from your own, or a co-worker’s, task light. In such workspaces, a combination of even ambient light using wall fixtures or portable floor, table or partition fixtures, and either an asymmetric task light or direct lighting pendant above your workplace, is ideal. Keep in mind
• Lighting needs to be individualized and adjustable to satisfy a variety of needs (see page 16 for options). • Lighting requirements increase with age. A 40 year old person needs nearly double the amount of light as a 20 year old.
• The need for light also differs depending on the task being performed. Detailed work and tasks which require uninterrupted concentration require more light. • Choose fixtures with LED or T5 fluorescent light sources as they consume less energy, have longer lamp lives and produce less heat than other light sources. • Fixtures should include electronic ballasts as they provide flicker-free illumination and energy savings. Tips: A quick and easy way to improve the light at your workspace is to get a task light with ergonomic light distribution. Luxo has several asymmetric models designed specifically for such needs.
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Concept
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There are three primary ways to light an office workspace Each solution suggested below provides a combination of indirect light in the general working area, supplemented with adjustable, energy-efficient task lighting. Please contact Luxo for help determining an appropriate solution for your office lighting needs.
SOLUTION 1 - Indirect ambient lightING combined with task lightING
The combination of indirect ambient lighting and desktop task lighting addresses the problems of glare, reflective computer screens and shadows caused by over-illumination or improper light distribution on the work surface. The versatility of this combination allows for easy repositioning of the floor plan without having to rewire preset fixtures. This solution offers the flexibility of a range of indirect lighting solutions that work in tandem with portable, individually-adjustable task lighting. SOLUTION 2 – Flexible floor lamps
Floor lamps which provide both indirect and direct light are ideal workspace solutions as they produce the same impressive light as traditional ceiling fixtures without needing to be permanently installed. Such flexibility makes them ideal solutions for the ever-changing layout of the modern office.
SOLUTION 3 – indirect/direct pendant FIXTURES
Indirect/direct pendant fixtures provide both ambient and direct lighting while suspended over a work area. As it is important to be able to adjust the light projected onto a work area, the best fixtures are those that can be individually controlled (see page 16 for options). It is very important for this type of fixture to be placed correctly in order for it to provide optimal illumination of a workspace. Keep in mind that if you move your desk, the fixture will need to be moved with it.
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Meetingooms
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Lighting in a meeting or conference room needs to be versatile and adjustable. While sitting and reading from printed material require a lot of light, presenting from a projector requires the room to be darker. Good ambient lighting complemented with focal lighting on whiteboards, walls and meeting tables is often a good solution. Keep in mind:
• It is important for the light in a meeting or conference room to be adjustable, preferably with a light regulating system. • Direct light should be used to create focus points on, for example: whiteboards, tables or walls Tips: A remote control programmed with preset “scenes” is a practical aid. It provides an easy way to create different lighting for different tasks.
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The reception
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Since the reception area, or lobby, often gives visitors their first impression of a company, it is important that it reflects the purpose and values of an organization. Often, however, the reception area is more than just an entryway. Internally, it can be used as a meeting place and as workspace for a receptionist. Keep in mind:
• Light is often a very effective way to draw in a visitors’ attention. Lighting can be used to create a reception area that is bright and welcoming. • Combine ambient lighting with focal lighting to create interest and drama. • A receptionist often requires an individually adjustable task light for their working needs. Luxo has task lights specifically designed for reception desks. Tips: Light on the actual desk, or even built into the desk, gives an immediate welcoming effect.
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Rest- and lunchrooms
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A space meant for relaxing and socializing can be a challenge to make comfortable. With the right light you can create the atmosphere you desire. Keep in mind:
• Choose a flexible lighting solution to create a versatile space – preferably use fixtures which allow the user to regulate light levels and position. • Downlight pendants create a more pleasant and comfortable atmosphere than recessed fittings in the ceiling. • Choose light sources that are warm and provide moderately white light.
Tips: Use spotlights or focal lighting to illuminate a picture, a wall or even a sculpture.
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The corridor
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Corridors or other “transport” areas seldom have furniture. Lighting in these areas plays an important role in providing both visual interest and safety. Keep in mind:
• Light should give an impression of direction and depth. • Fixtures should contribute to a quick and safe passage through the corridor. Tips: Many corridors with minimal traffic are left lit for long periods of time. To save energy and protect our environment install fixtures with electronic ballasts.
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Options
One of the keys to creating good lighting in the workspace is to make use of the right accessories Remote control
A practical aid in controlling light levels from a distance, for example, in a conference room where one needs to reduce the light when using a projector. It is also possible to program lighting “scenes� which can be easily recreated.
dimmer
A dimmer used with suspended linear fixtures makes it easy to increase or decrease the light levels.
GROMMET
An integrated space-saving grommet with task light holder and table organizer. You will always have the task light correctly placed to get optimal ergonomic light on your working area.
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TABLE BASE
All Luxo task light models can be fitted with a table base making them easily adjustable for a variety of tasks.
Other brackets
Brackets are used to affix any Luxo task light to a number of wall, surface and panel applications.
Socket box (to Free)
The Free floor mount can be supplied with a socket box centralizing both electric and computer network cables.
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Luxo
Things we can help you with! Luxo speaks out for flexible lighting solutions which can be adjusted for those in your workplace. To provide the solution which will help you the most, we use a series of helpful tools. Light inspection AT your workplace
If you wish to make changes to an existing workplace, it is often best if we can visit you and see the environment for ourselves. We’ll go through your ideas, wishes and your existing lighting, and return with suggestions for improvement. Trial fiXTURES or trial installation
One of the best ways to decide the type of lighting one wants is of course to try it out. Free of charge, we offer you to try out both task lights and other types of fixtures so you can be sure of satisfaction. With larger projects, renovations or new installations, it is not uncommon to do a test installation in, for example, one office, to show how the whole environment will be. Lighting calculations / lighting suggestions
Often it is enough to do a simulation of the environment you work in and calculate by computer the lighting you require. If you send us a drawing or a simple sketch with measurements, we’ll do a calculation and return with a lighting suggestion. Feel free to contact us so that together we can go through all the requirements needed to provide you with a good solution. Good advice about lighting
You are always welcome to contact us when it comes to questions about lighting. Luxo has manufactured lighting for over 70 years and has acquired extensive knowledge during that time. We have, in other words, the experience to solve most lighting problems.
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Good to know Luxo was founded in Norway in 1934 by Jac Jacobsen. For 70 years, Luxo has focused on improving the quality of life though the supply of lighting solutions which stimulate better health, increased comfort and awareness of space and architecture. Our products are developed and manufactured in our factories in Sweden and Norway.
Jac Jacobsen, founder of Luxo
You can find us here For additional information about Luxo or our products, please visit us at www.luxous.com or contact Luxo Customer Service at 800-222-5896 or office@luxous.com. Please visit Luxo Canada at www.luxo.ca or contact us at 800-361-3993 or office@luxo.ca.
We offer a 5 year warranty of all our products (lights sources not included).
Since its creation in 1937, 25 million L-1 luminaires have been sold worldwide. L-1 has been distinguished by most of the prestigious awards in the world of industrial design.
Luxo Corporation 200 Clearbrook Road Elmsford, NY10523 Tel: (800) 222-5896 Fx: (800) 648-2978 office@luxous.com  Luxo Lamp Ltd. 1957 Le Chatelier Laval, Quebec, H7L 5B3 Tel: (800) 361-3993 Fx: (800) 567-9215 office@luxo.ca
Luxo 1008-06