The evolving trends in office lighting reflect the need for flexibility, personalization, and support for well-being. Modern lighting solutions are designed to adapt to the diverse needs of Office 2.0 environments, facilitate hybrid working models, and promote a healthy work-life balance through human-centric approaches. These trends underscore the importance of lighting in creating productive, comfortable, and sustainable workspaces.

‘New Work’ is the process of unlocking individual potential through meaningful work and it has significantly influenced the design and function of modern office environments.

The changing world of work, characterized by flexible working, open-plan co-working spaces, and digital conference systems, is driving new trends in office lighting.

These developments reflect three key trends that are shaping modern office environments:

Office 2.0 emphasizes versatility in workspace design. Lighting solutions must be flexible to accommodate different activities and settings within the same space. This includes adjustable lighting levels, tuneable white lighting to mimic natural daylight cycles, and task-specific lighting options.

Advanced lighting systems are integrated with smart technologies to enhance functionality. This includes automated controls that adjust lighting based on occupancy, daylight levels, and time of day, as well as integration with other building management systems.

 As hybrid working models become more common, with employees splitting time between home and office, personalized lighting solutions gain importance. Employees need control over their lighting to suit their individual preferences and needs, both in the office and at home.

Lighting systems in hybrid work environments should provide a seamless transition between different workspaces. This involves consistent lighting quality and functionality across various locations, ensuring comfort and productivity whether working on-site or remotely.

To support work-life balance, human-centric lighting designs are essential. These systems adjust lighting to support natural biorhythms, enhancing alertness and productivity during work hours and promoting relaxation during breaks and after work.

Emphasizing well-being, modern lighting solutions consider factors like colour temperature, brightness, and glare reduction to create a comfortable and healthy work environment. Proper lighting can reduce eye strain, improve mood, and contribute to overall employee well-being.

Lighting is paramount to successful communication in a room.

Ensuring employees can see each other and their work properly may seem obvious but it requires a balance of diffuse and directional light, as well as semi-cylindrical and cylindrical illuminance and balanced shadowing. Faces, objects and structures are then attractively represented within the room.

The latest version of the EN 12464-1 lighting standard for indoor workplaces was updated in October 2021. It centres on providing clear guidance on how to put people at the centre of office design. It encourages considerations such as eye comfort and good illuminance values on the ceiling to create more friendly feeling spaces. Less glare, more rendering.