< PreviousSpecial Report commercialinteriordesign.com June 2022 40 OPINION PIECE S o often we see functionality at the forefront of hospital lighting design. Of course, this is a crucial factor as it affects the way a hospital and its staff need to operate, but the emotion can get left behind. We have to remember why hospitals exist. We need hospitals to make people feel better, to keep patients safe and to envelop them in warmth and security while they go through something frightening. We all want hospitals to make people feel comfortable, but sterile design and lighting does quite the opposite. Lighting in hospitals is key and plays an important part in cultivating a safe and collaborative environment for both staff and patients. Through the use of layers of light, varying levels of illumination can provide both functional and aesthetically pleasing qualities. The quality of light used in a hospital is really important. Different ages have different requirements for light – if you're over 60, you will need on average about three times the amount of light as you do when you're in your 20s. The location of a light source can be an important factor in reducing glare, which many elderly patients are sensitive to. Directional light is also really signifi cant. These days we talk about 'a melanopic lux', which is basically the amount of light delivered from a certain angle. You have rods and cones in your eye, which are the two receptors: one sees in colour and is for daylight, while the other sees in black and white. Anything below one lux and you tend to see in grey. This means that with different levels of light you have different abilities to see and process that light. Research has found we have a third receptor in the eye, which reacts specifi cally to blue light and regulates hormone production in the body, such as melatonin, Designed to care Paul Nulty explores how lighting in new hospital buildings can benefi t patients and staffSpecial Report 41 June 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com serotonin and cortisol. If a person has too little or too much of this, it can lead to a seasonal affective disorder and the body won't function properly. All of this shows that in a space like a hospital where doctors need to be able to operate, patients need to feel rested and everyone in the space needs to be taken care of, a balance of different layers of light can be very important. Although there are many ways that we can light a hospital, it's imperative to remember the role that daylight plays in health. Daylight and vitamin D prevent illnesses such as scurvy and rickets. Natural daylight also helps to create a calm and comfortable atmosphere as it provides a welcome break from artifi cial light – especially signifi cant for those patients who are spending a long stint on a ward. It can also make a real difference to the staff who work extensive hours in the hospital. They too need various types of light as this will be of benefi t to their eyes, productivity and mental health. Hospitals are illuminated in a standard way so that they are always prepared for emergencies. Whether you're in a hospital ward, emergency room or hospital corridor, the overall layer of illumination needs to be practical so that the doctors and nurses can do their jobs effectively. But this doesn't mean that there has to be just one layer of functional lighting. There could also be more personalised or localised light that changes colour temperature throughout the day to give a sense of time passing from day to night. You could also implement small gobo projectors in downlights to create a dappled light effect on the fl oor of the hospital, which could mimic moving trees or plants, or recreate moonlight. Where there are interesting objects in the hospital space, they could be properly illuminated to create focal points. It's great from a functional perspective to have uniform panels of light in the ceiling, but this can be quite dull as the eye doesn't have anything to look away from. Instead, bouncing light off walls or allowing it to change and be dynamic in the space, encourages different emotional responses to each area of the hospital. All of these things help to achieve a warm environment, as opposed to clinical and sterile one. It seems strange to think about feeling at home in a hospital, but for staff and patients creating an environment that feels as close to home as possible could arguably help to boost morale. Lighting could potentially play a part in making this conception of a hospital come to life. Bedside lamps placed next to each hospital bed could create the sense of being in a bedroom rather than a ward. Pendant lights, shades and localised lighting solutions above beds could make a space feel more domestic. When combined with functional overhead lighting, these simple changes could help a patient feel more comfortable in the space they're in. Nulty's essay was included in Ab Rogers Design's Living Systems, the winning proposal for the 2021 Wolfson Economics Prize. Entrants were asked, 'How would you design and plan new hospitals to radically improve patient experiences, clinical outcomes, staff wellbeing, and integration with wider health and social care?' The entry took a collaborative approach that centred around the hosptial building itself becoming part of the care team. Award winner Paul Nulty of Nulty Lighting Daylight creates calm...Special Report commercialinteriordesign.com June 2022 42 T he aspirations for this project are noble ones – advocacy, inclusion and empowerment. DLR Group was engaged to design a project reflecting the vision and mandate of the Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), concentrating on universal design and inclusion for people of all abilities. As per the leadership of the SCHS, a local non-profit founded in 1979 as a branch of the Arab Family Organization in the Gulf region, the aim was to create a ground- breaking campus development that seeks to apply the best international practices in education, health, and wellness by creating a self-sustaining environment. The scope set for DLR Group in 2020 was to undertake master planning, architecture and ID for the project, on which the firm was appointed to Schematic Design stage. The master plan The master plan vision and design seek to mirror the noble aspirations of SCHS and enable its functions to be further elevated by providing the environment for knowledge growth and physical improvement. The master plan design reflects an integrated connection between vision and universal design. It aims to create a harmonious composition of the different program elements on the site while considering the most optimum cross- program relationships and adjacencies that will inform the building placement and integration. The design will be responsive and efficient in its entirety. It celebrates passive sustainable methods, such as efficient building orientations and utilisation of the natural site-level differences. This approach also coincides with the architecture design intent and treatment of the buildings, wherein a conscious direction is applied in establishing the proper building envelope thereby providing energy-efficient buildings compliant to Estidama – a building design methodology established in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. DLR Group's vision of an architecturally unified community is consistent with the drive to provide a modern and timeless design, as well as planning that reflects the best international practices for each building type. The philosophy When complete, the project would encompass 12 buildings, varying in function, size, and philosophy, which are parts of a great whole that undoubtedly display a greater unified dialogue by adhering to a common set of design methods, and a holistically aesthetic philosophy. That same philosophy reflects throughout the entire Center of Harmony, offering a school, a retreat, and a wellness centre to name just a few of the facilities at this sanctuary for learning. The visually light materiality palette acts as a blank canvas for each building to explore its own individuality. Playfulness, elegance, and tectonic logic all play essential parts in interpreting what the architecture wants to represent. Form, function, and proportions are an essential part of the design, encouraging a courtyard environment. The design Clean geometric angles of the Center for Harmony allow for further distortion and deconstruction to better reflect every building's uniqueness and connection to this holistic destination. Horizontal slits and louvres work in harmony with horizontal cantilever elements. The floating effect of high-glazed pivot openings as well as chamfered, tilted and elongated glazing were introduced to celebrate and reflect both spiritual and Form encourages a courtyard environment A synergised community PROJECT VISION Center of Harmony, Sharjah, UAE, by DLR GroupSpecial Report 43 June 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com artistic explorations. The overall design was a careful exploration of the masterplan's goal, with the Center of Harmony as the core and vision. The project delivers unique buildings with a sense of connectiveness, through planning, design, and thoughtful features. Elegance and timeless details contribute to a modern and fresh aesthetic, delivering holistic education and healthcare offerings to the region. The Center of Harmony integrates the needs of all stakeholders, including people with a variety of abilities, in a universally accessible, friendly, comfortable and harmonious environment. This contemporary healthcare and educational resource will facilitate different learning methods and welcome all users in a comfortable and easily livable place and, in addition, offer a dignified, safe, inclusive and environmentally friendly environment, reflecting its cultural importance to the emirate of Sharjah. Buildings would be energy effi cient A therapy centre is one of the facilities Clean geometric linesSuppliers – lighting commercialinteriordesign.com June 2022 44 SANIPEX Meeting demand E stablished since 1995 as a leading regional supplier of indoor and outdoor lifestyle products, SANIPEX GROUP can now unveil its new lighting category. The comprehensive range was released to meet rising market demand from A&D professionals and homeowners across the MEA, UK and Europe. Bridging the gap between art installation and interior design with European lighting brands such as Hind Rabii, a-emotional light, Bover and Olev, alongside SANIPEX GROUP's own GYMKHANA brand, the collection comprises of contemporary wall, pendant, and chandelier lighting solutions, with table, fl oor lamps and lantern options for residential homes to restaurants, hotels and retail premises. See them all in the SANIPEX GALLERY showroom on Umm Suqeim Street in Dubai, which has a dedicated lighting section. Between Junction 2 & 3, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE +971 4 507 6000 info@sanipexgroup.com www.sanipexgroup.com Light Link Design & supply L ight Link is an award-winning lighting design and supply firm, founded in May 2019. In three years, the company has completed over 50 high-profile projects, including the Museum of the Future (pictured left), a number of them to LEED Platinum and Gold Standards, and achieving WELL Accreditation. Its team of 20 recently expanded their reach outside of the UAE to markets including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Light Link's services incorporate lighting design and supply, systems design and supply, plus full site support. As part of its focus to source and supply design-orientated products, Light Link has discovered the 'wow' factor of Ettlin Lux from Germany, which stocks a range that presents a truly individual feel for client spaces. The Light Garden, Al Quoz Industrial Area 3, Dubai, UAE + 971 4 340 1441 jonathan.brown@thelightlink.com www.thelightlink.comSuppliers – lighting 45 June 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com Preciosa Style & artistry H eritage Bohemian crystal maker Preciosa Lighting's latest lighting concept is Crystal Spin, a new addition to the company's Signature Designs portfolio. Crystal Spin is a playful and organic design, shifting in space through shape and sparkle. There are two parts to this installation, both equally important in terms of structure and design. First are the crystal cylinder components. These are fl exible and refl ective; designers can choose the rod and fi nish to create the style and artistry they desire. Secondly, Crystal Spin’s frame is not simply a functional support. The frame can be shaped and fi nished as one wishes. Spin was designed by the Preciosa design team, including Creative Directors Michael Vasku and Andreas Klug, along with Sarka Olivová and Marilies Wedl. Building 8, Dubai Design District (d3), UAE + 971 4 443 1932 mea@preciosalighting.com www.preciosalighting.com Dubai Design District (d3), United Arab Emirates +971 56 179 5640 ladislav.bednar@hunatglass.com www.hunatglass.com Hunat Glass Extraordinary projects C zech Republic-based company Hunat Glass is a luxury boutique designer and manufacturer of Bohemian crystal installations that prides itself on the highest calibre crystal components that come together in bespoke designs. The team is involved throughout the entire creation process, from the initial design stage up to installation, ensuring the highest possible quality of each of its unique features. Over the years, Hunat Glass has worked on extraordinary projects such as royal palaces, luxury villas, and five- star hotels. Hunat perceives a demand for this exclusivity and unique artistic value in the Middle East, so decided to open a new office in Dubai to cater to this need.World view commercialinteriordesign.com June 2022 46 ENTER THE LION La Sala de LE0 restaurant in Bogotá by REFUGIO Images credit: Simon Bosch Photography WORLD VIEW47 June 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com L EO is an interior design turned architectural project located in the up and coming gastronomic district of Colombia's sprawling, high-altitude capital, Bogotá. The current project completed in 2021 is the last of a total of seven proposals designed over the course of four years for Chef Leonor Espinosa, a Colombian chef whose Bogotá restaurant, Leo Cocina y Cava, featuring a fusion of traditional and modern Colombian cuisine. In 2017, in her mid-50's, the award- winning chef approached newly established architecture fi rm REFUGIO to accompany her on indefi nite journey to relocate and reopen her signature restaurant LEO. For 15 years, Chef Leo had been operating from a small historic house located in downtown Bogotá and wanted to move uptown to a new and more accessible location, bolster the local clientele and better cater to international The project was completed in 2021World view commercialinteriordesign.com June 2022 48 clients and their expectations of a restaurant of her current standing. Site abandoned Under architect Julian Molina, REFUGIO was the fi rst ingredient to join Leo's venture, accompanying her in seeking out potential sites, developing design schemes and presenting concepts to both prospective landlords and also investors in the business. In March 2019, construction for LEO began on the rooftop of a Bogotá building. Unfortunately, by March 2020, construction was suspended as local authorities closed down the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Over the course of lockdown, the site was abandoned and a new project Spaces are intimate yet dramatic Here the roof is slanted to 25-degrees The bar areaWorld view 49 June 2022 commercialinteriordesign.com About the architect Julián Molina is an architect who graduated in 2009 from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. He has a track record of more than 10 years in developing residential, commercial and corporate projects. In 2017 he founded REFUGIO, a comprehensive architecture, interior design and project management offi ce. began construction in November 2020 in Bogota's gastronomic district Zona G. Levitating garden The current site for LEO was originally made up of two warehouses with a defi ned silhouette that due to local zoning standards could not be modifi ed. The fi rst of the warehouses was a two-storey rectangular block, while the second warehouse was a single space with a 25-degree slanted roof that ran perpendicular to the street. REFUGIO accommodated the primary kitchen in the ground fl oor of the two- storey warehouse and placed the bar, called La Sala de Laura, on the second level. The single-space warehouse was taken up by LEO and the formal dining room, crowned with a garden levitating above a suspended glass volume that integrates and visually communicates the restaurant, the bar and the street through a translucent glass façade. The rooftop garden epitomises Chef Leo's quasi-anthropological and archaeological journeys throughout Colombia's extremely diverse geography, whilst giving the dinners, local and foreign, context that magnifi es the dining experience and allows the imagination, and the holistic experience of the tasting menu to reach creative bliss. REFUGIO's LEO is made up of intimate yet dramatic spaces that allow for each of the carefully crafted dishes to shine without competition. The plate and Chef Leo's creativity are front and centre stage. Waiting for diners Hints of the rooftop gardenNext >