When it comes to modern public spaces – such as multifunctional, business and entertainment spaces, as well as corporate interiors, it is difficult to imagine them today without high-tech and innovative solutions. Nowadays, the needs of business and people have increased significantly, and, consequently, the requirements for design public and commercial spaces have increased significantly.
Control systems are used to improve comfort, ease of use, ensure reliable and uninterrupted operation, safety, and energy efficiency. They help a person to control the environment and also make the space flexible and attractive. Lighting solutions and lighting control systems also play an important role, because artificial lighting is an integral part of the environment and directly affects its quality.
We will tell you what modern technical solutions and lighting control systems can do and how they are used in practice using examples of completed projects.

1. Energy efficiency
The primary task that a lighting control system solves is energy saving. Since there are more and more consumers of electricity, and accordingly, costs for it are also growing the issue of energy efficiency is especially important now.
An example is the MATREX lighting design project for the main public building of the Skolkovo innovation center. The building unites everything modern in architecture, science, and art, and this is clear even from its name, which is a synthesis of the words “Matryoshka” and “Matrix”.
During its creation, high-tech solutions were used, due to which its energy efficiency has increased significantly compared to buildings of the previous generation: glazing can reduce energy consumption by 45%, water consumption by 35%, lighting by 30%, heating by 25%, ventilation by 15% and air conditioning by 35 %.

During the day, the building is a truncated pyramid with a glass facade, and with the onset of dusk, “transformation” occurs – thanks to the uniform illumination of the internal space of the atrium, the recognizable outline of a nesting doll appears from under the glass shell. The matryoshka doll made of light is inscribed in the architectural volume, manifesting itself only in the dark, when the light of the internal space becomes visible.
In this project, the lighting of the interior space of the atrium also acts as an architectural one. This means that there was no need to use additional lighting devices to illuminate the facade. Also, thanks to the use of a lighting control system, it was possible to reduce energy consumption by 30%.

2. Comfort and flexibility
Functional and flexible spaces help to create a comfortable environment for people. Each person is individual, and their lighting needs are different: some need more light, while others need just a little. For example, productive work in an office is impossible without certain lighting conditions and optimal levels of illumination, as well as without suitable recreational conditions so that a person can relax and replenish energy.
An example of a technologically advanced and comfortable space is the office of the leading online classifieds service Avito in the White Gardens business center on Lesnaya Street. The architects based the interior concept on the idea of dividing the office space into transformable modules, so that the volumes for work can be expanded or reduced. Work in the company is carried out by teams, the size of which may vary, which means the space used for collaboration must change. This solution made the office as comfortable and multifunctional as possible.

Lighting solutions for office are also adapted to rapid changes. The interior actively uses track projectors, which are easy to move and redirect to the desired areas according to needs, as well as pendant lamps above employee workstations. Track projectors are equipped with special soft lens filters that gently diffuse the light, preventing glare and glare. Much attention was paid to creating uniform lighting and minimizing contrasts to prevent rapid fatigue, visual discomfort, and decreased concentration.
For workplaces in the office, luminaries with a color temperature of 4000 K (cooler shades) were used, and for the kitchen, meeting rooms, and rest areas – 3000 K (warmer shades), which helps employees switch from work tasks to leisure.
Dimmers are installed in the office space, with which you can brighten or dim the light as needed. This is convenient, since in any conditions the employee can create optimal lighting conditions for himself.
The office also has a lighting control system. Each employee of the openspace zone can independently create their own individual lighting conditions in the workplace. Management is carried out through a program installed on mobile devices and computers. In addition to the fact that such a solution allows you to create the most comfortable and flexible conditions, this technical solution solves interior design problems: there is no long row of switches on the wall in the office, because control is carried out via a wireless network. A single switch is used to turn lights on and off in offices and openspace.

3. Effects and impressions
The requirements for modern public spaces have become much broader: now it is not only functionality, safety, ergonomics, aesthetics, but also inclusivity, technology, and new experiences. Spaces should impress and even surprise guests. And this cannot be done without high-tech solutions.
For example, Zaryadye Park in Moscow is a whole complex of structures, and not just a park. One of the key facilities on its territory is the Media Center, where you can check the program, book an excursion, and also take a virtual trip “Flight over Russia”, admire the “Time Machine” multimedia panorama, visit a VR cinema and enjoy the magical world of Russian nature reserves.
This multifunctional space is filled with new technologies that will impress visitors, including an original lighting solution. For the ceiling of the interior space, the architects developed a unique installation: many thin polycarbonate tubes of different lengths covering the surface of the ceiling, creating volume, depth, and dynamics. The lighting solution for this complex art object required a special approach: it was necessary to create expressive light-color effects and maintain the smoothness of light transitions in space, while not forgetting about the comfort of visitors.

The problem was solved with the help of luminaries with asymmetrical optics, which softly and evenly illuminate the walls, indicating the volume of the room, visually making the space lighter and focusing visitors’ attention on the original ceiling. The light streaming from the ceiling is created by luminaries located on it, hidden by the structure from the eyes of the audience.
The unique installation is complemented by a special visual effect, colored dynamic light. Lighting scenarios were developed for the Media Center, simulating natural phenomena (sunset, changes in sky color). The colors shimmer on a variety of polycarbonate threads from green to purple, causing a direct association with the northern lights. This impressive spectacle is complemented by light patterns on the floor, reminiscent of a scattering of stars, which are created when light is refracted through the material.
The lighting control system, colored light and lighting scenarios made the space lively and dynamic, and also helped visitors gain new experiences and emotions.

4. Personalization and identity
A person constantly receives information from the environment, evaluates special characteristics, phenomena, and unique events. Distinctive features attract attention and become an object of admiration, demonstrating the identity of a particular object. Modern solutions help to create spaces that stand out from the general background.
One of the unique projects was the Digital Transformation Center “Zifergauz”. It brings together cross-functional teams from all areas of Gazprom Neft’s business that develop digital solutions for the search and development of hydrocarbon fields, develop technologies for remote drilling control, industrial automation systems and logistics robotization. The center has created digital laboratories for artificial intelligence, control of robots and drones, 3D printing, creation of industrial gadgets and telemetry sensors.

The interior scenario of Zifergauz is based on the idea of continuity from the past to the future. Built in mid-19th century the building organically combines its historical architectural legacy and cutting-edge functionality of the futuristic technical center. Once the building was designed to vertically store the timber delivered for the needs of the Admiralty shipyards.

The image of the Center for Digital Transformation is based on the idea of a digital future. The project is a unique dynamic space, rich in technological functions. In it, the architects combined digital laboratories for developers, lecture halls for large-scale business and educational events, as well as an innovative public space.

The Gazprom Neft Digital Transformation Centre complies with the Well-standard: multifunctional working places, access to filtered drinking water, biodynamic lighting, green spaces, air cleanup and recovery system, installed into smart-ceilings, sensor-based water supply management systems, digital control «smart house» system, acoustic comfort technologies, eco-friendly flooring materials, foam aluminum sound absorbing panels, two-layer tempered glass soundproof structures. Altogether they create the environment to comfortably generate innovations in the sphere of smart energy.

The main objective in the development of a lighting design solution for this project was the creation of a unified, productive and comfortable lighting environment for a multifunctional space, which houses premises that perform different tasks. The original functionality of the historical building where Zifergauz is located did not imply sufficient access of natural light. It was necessary to design an optimal lighting system that would solve the problem of lack of sunlight and ensure a comfortable work for employees.

It became possible to compensate the lack of natural light in the room with the help of dynamic lighting and Tunable White technology. This technology is a convenient and contemporary tool which helps you to program light scenarios and color temperature changes during the day. An intelligent artificial lighting system that considers human biorhythms helps to activate human resources, setting them up for productive work during the day, and in the evening helps to relax and tune in to rest.
A new comfortable working environment in Digital Transformation Centre is also formed due to the balance of horizontal and vertical illumination. Vertical illumination of brick walls is provided by recessed luminaires with asymmetric optics. Thus, the space is filled with light, creating a similar effect to the natural one.The flexible lighting environment meets the needs of users, both individually and as a team. In this case, technological flexibility of space acts as a tool that forms the diversity of the light environment.

There are large light panels were used in the interior, as well as continuous light lines reflected in the mirrored ceiling, increasing the volume of the room, and filling it with light. Light panels installed in halls and office spaces allow not only create a flexible ceiling space system, but also reduce the noise level due to a special sound-absorbing material. Light portals visually neutralize the strict structure of a historical building, involving a person to explore the surrounding space while immersing himself in a workflow.
A special decorative effect is created by the multimedia system, which also absorbs noise. Media panels easily integrate into the interior and allow you to broadcast dynamic media content that can be controlled by an application for smartphones. This solution provides an opportunity to create dynamic color and light scenarios, new images and impressions, play with textures, shape emotions, and revive the interior of the space.
The scenario of changing the color temperature is the same for the entire space of the office, which makes the movement of people between work areas and public spaces comfortable and exclude the differences in color and light contrasts. Reflected light systems in corridors and public areas not only accentuate the architecture of the historic building, but also provide with balance of vertical and horizontal illumination, ensuring visual comfort.
The design concept of the office space is supported by a special lighting effect that simulates natural light passing through the tree crowns.

Modern technologies help create truly unique, comfortable, functional, and impressive spaces. Our future is being shaped today, through smart solutions and innovative technologies.

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