Lighting Design Trends 2017

Well-being, human centric lighting and flexible working environments; advancements through the “Internet of things”…to the closing curtain of halogen lamps; the hospitality industry’s desire for individuality with bespoke luminaires, and retailers seeking an in-store connection between their brand and the consumer. Say HELLO to lighting design in 2017.

Our industry is really starting to blossom. This is very good news: not only because a lighting solution is now more than just a “bolt-on”, but because the sector’s attracting extremely creative, tech-centric people who have a love for design and science.

It’s no great surprise that the majority of change – as in most areas – is happening thanks to technology. This sector’s looking to the lighting industry to help realise new techniques that will change the way we live – lighting’s being used for guidance, security and personalisation by individually addressing and controlling luminaires how we want. But, it’s important to stress that as architectural lighting designers, we’re still committed to educating people on how light can transform a space, and be used as a medium to influence mood and behaviour.

The Internet of things (IoT) is nothing new (a toaster, hooked-up to the internet, was unveiled in 1989), but it’s changing the way we operate. It’s no longer just computers and smartphones that are connected to the web – it’s our fridges, coffee cups, heart monitors and LEDs. Light plays a powerful role in all of this, because our daily tasks have been transformed into light controlled communications between our belongings and us. And, lighting is everywhere – it offers the ideal network for IoT services to be built on and it’s the simplest way to introduce it into spaces.

The knock-on effects of the halogen ban are something we’ll see more of this year. There’s been some confusion over the timetable, but in basic terms there are two different EU directives: directional halogen lamps are already being phased out (started in September 2016) and non-directional will be from 2018.

Manufacturers are now in a race to provide LED light sources that create the same qualities associated with halogen – namely, sparkle and warmth. There’s already been an increase in the number of warm-dim LED products, which aim to mimic the dimming curve of halogen and incandescent lamps. We anticipate seeing these offered as a standard option throughout the industry.

Health and well-being will remain key drivers in terms of research and design, across all areas of lighting. In the commercial office sector we’ll continue to see the need for employers to meet the demands of flexible working and to ensure that employee well-being is a priority. They want to retain staff and keep them happy and healthy. One of the most effective ways to stabilise mood and behaviour is through the right illumination. If architectural lighting is used to create permeability and a sense of space, the workplace becomes a better and ultimately happier place to be. Good for the bottom line, productivity and workers.

One of the most significant changes in the office sector is the growth of flexible working. And this isn’t going away. Lots of offices today are open plan with collaborative working spaces scattered amongst desks and other areas. Light has come to replace the partition wall with shifts in tonality differentiating one space from another.

Lighting’s important for all generations though, in all locations. With an ageing population on our hands, more emphasis will be given to the benefits of good lighting in terms of quality of life for the elderly. This will include appropriate lighting for ageing eyes and helping with conditions such as dementia, and other obstacles we encounter, as we get older.

Yes, lighting needs to be sustainable, affordable and low energy. But today, it’s way more than that – it’s about ensuring light is human centric. It’s about exploring the impact lighting has on people and remedying the negative effects. Where there’s human activity there’s light. And there’s growing scientific evidence that lighting does much more than simply provide illumination for visual needs. “Human centric lighting” is an approach that we as lighting designers have always subscribed to and the topic is gaining momentum – rightly so.

Research has found that light meets both visual and non-visual needs – and understanding this interaction has opened up a new realm of applications. It’s these insights that help us develop lighting solutions that are targeted at enhancing vision, well-being and performance by applying an in-depth knowledge of science, humans and user needs.

During the festive season retailers naturally see a surge in sales – online and in-store. Even though that’s the case, they’re well aware that they need to drive customers back to the high street ALL year round. In the on-going battle with online shopping, retailers need to offer their customers something different if they’re to succeed. Today, it’s all about delivering a “brand experience”.

When people step inside a store, they don’t want a boring, functional space that soullessly displays merchandise. They want to feel a connection with the brand – the right lighting scheme helps do that by creating an engaging ambience. We’re certainly going to see retailers become even more savvy – seeking an emotional bond between the consumer and the brand. Think art, fashion, music and Instagram-worthy changing rooms…

The night-time economy (NTE) is BIG business and vital to the heartbeat of cities – economically and culturally. Nothing confirmed this more in our capital than the Mayor of London’s appointment, in November last year, of a Night Czar – Amy Lamè. With an estimated value of ￡70 billion in the UK, there’s a lot to tap into so this is definitely an area we’ll be seeing and hearing more of.

On top of all the other things associated with the NTE and lighting, the wave of agile working has created a new type of hospitality (members clubs, cafés, etc) that need to accommodate daytime workers and night-time patrons – all within one space, across 24-hours. For this to work, materials, walls and wider design of the interior need to respond to the atmosphere. It’s clever lighting that can enliven a space for a specific period of time, before transforming that same space into one of intimacy, without a need to change any of the furnishings. Lighting’s a key driver in engaging and enticing people and encouraging economical growth during night-time hours, and it can even have a positive impact on anti-social behaviour.

When it comes to the hospitality sector, things are still being designed with extravagance in mind. There are an increasing number of luxury design-led bars and restaurants where more money is being spent on light fittings and the overall lighting design of the spaces. Last year, we launched Nulty Bespoke (have a peek at the launch party here) to meet the demand for customers who want bespoke light fittings – fusing technology with individuality, luxury and sophistication. And, to be honest, it’s incredibly exciting to be able to create a luminaire that’s driven by an individual need.

Lastly, there’s one thing we can’t ignore in 2017. Yes, you guessed it: the EU referendum. Brexit – where does it leave our industry? Starting with the negatives, developers are being slow to invest and therefore projects are moving slowly (if at all). But, on a positive note, the weak pound means that hiring a UK lighting design consultant (arguably some of the most progressive) is cheaper. The fall in sterling has resulted in an influx of tourism and, naturally, visitor spending has increased. Because of this, we’ll hopefully see retailers reinvesting and an increase in the need for good quality hotel stock…leading us to more retail, hotel and food and beverage projects.