The new office is designed as an adaptive and technological environment, where every decision is important – from the layout to the lighting. About the role of light as a tool for working with a hybrid office space designed for 200 workstations – in a new A-News article.

About object
The new office of the company producing engineering electrical equipment is located in a building created in the mid-20th century, on the territory of the Bolshevik factory. When working with the space, which provides for fixed and unfixed workstations (about 10%), the main task of the architects was to preserve the feeling of space and light, reflecting the company’s corporate style and its values in the interior.

Lighting design tasks
For the office space of the engineering company “DKC” it was necessary to design a lighting design solution for premises of different purposes: a public space (an area for presentations and communication with visitors), a coffee point, a cluster for corporate meetings, areas with work places, conference rooms, a recreation area, as well as a gym and a room where you can have a snack. It was important for the customer to maintain a sense of visual purity, air and dynamism, which was reflected in the design solution from the architectural bureau Nefa Architects and emphasized by the lighting scenarios of the company QPRO. Particular attention was paid to the location of workplaces and the convenience of employees.

Functionality and flexibility
In common spaces and corridors of the work area, swiveling spotlights on track systems are used, placed in accordance with the geometry and architecture of the space. The track system on suspensions allows for the placement of lighting fixtures at the desired height and does not overload the ceiling with open communications. Thanks to the pitch of the spotlights, the filling of the space with light is regulated, and local accents are created, minimizing the visual monotony of the space.

Particular attention was paid to the organization of workplaces. Above each zone (two workplaces) that form a single line, there is a linear pendant luminary with wide optics corresponding to the length of the table. Professional optics do not produce glare, providing visual comfort at the standardized level of illumination. Linear pendant luminaries are in harmony with suspended shelves, visually forming a single set of interior elements. Mobile workplaces located along the windows of the work area are illuminated by swivel track spotlights providing general lighting. In order to create comfortable and functional lighting at these workplaces, they were equipped with personal desk lamps that employees can use if necessary.

The meeting rooms, gym and cafe are illuminated by rectangular pendant systems with wide optics. Built-in lighting fixtures are also provided for the meeting rooms, allowing for uniform lighting throughout the space, including in the corners. Thanks to the presence of light groups, it is easy and convenient to regulate the lighting and change it depending on the situation (active discussion, quiet conversation, etc.).

Decorative techniques and special solutions
The color scheme of the lighting fixtures matches the colors used in the main interior decoration (white, gray, red). Accents are also conceived: for example, the cold light illumination of the transparent reception desk highlights it, making it look like a non-sparkling ice floe. In the bathroom area, thin hanging red cylinders not only provide functional lighting for the sinks, but also become a decorative element against the background of rough concrete walls. Another technique is the luminary above the reception on the 3rd floor. It is assembled from cable trays, on the basis of which are made office racks on hangers. On the lower tier of this lamp is a light source repeating the oval shape of the structure. Diffuse light illuminates the reception area itself, and also marks the middle tier, passing through the perforation, thus conveying the volume of the original object.

Expressive are the linear tubular luminaires mounted on suspended metal trays in the entrance area of the common space on the 1st floor. The reception area also features a tubular luminaire, but of a rounded shape. In the rectangular double-height atrium, which houses the corporate meeting area, custom-made horizontal tubular luminaires are used, passing through the existing open structural elements of the building. For individual meeting rooms of a non-standard cylindrical shape, functional lighting is organized with the suspended linear luminaires with shades, allowing the light to be directed to the table area.

The sophisticated lighting system has become a link between the architectural concept and the functional tasks, ensuring comfortable working and relaxing conditions for employees. The project demonstrates how light is an active participant of the office scenario, emphasizing the structure and setting the rhythm of space.

Address: Moscow, Leningradsky Prospekt, 15, building 20
Client: Engineering Company “DKC”
Architecture: Nefa Architects
Project Authors: Dmitry Ovcharov, Elena Mertsalova, Irina Zaitseva
Lead Architect: Svetlana Dudina
Head Architect: Vasilina Pavlova
Project Architect: Tatyana Kargina
Lighting Design: QPRO
Total Area: 2300 m2