01 December 2022

LIGHTING DESIGN FOR AIRPORTS

LIGHTING DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR PUBLIC SPACES - AIRPORTS

The modern rhythm of today society involves fast transfer to any distance, both within one’s own country and around the world. The fastest and most convenient way to travel is by air. The public spaces of an airport are a vast infrastructure with well-coordinated work, where various services ensure the lawless operation of the system.
Airports operate within 24 hours 7 days a week without interruption. So, it is important to provide the most comfortable lighting conditions for passengers and employees in such spaces at any time.

 

MAIN PRINCIPLES OF LIGHTING DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR AIRPORTS:

1. Correspondence to the levels and norms of lighting parameters
In public spaces lighting design is carried out in accordance with the established norms of illumination, discomfort and uniformity rates, and pulsation coefficient. All functional areas – zone of arrivals and departures, halls, passport control, baggage, customs, etc. – must be designed in accordance with the standards and norms.

2. Creation of a comfortable and safe environment
The main goal in lighting design solutions for public spaces is to create a comfortable and safe environment. To reach necessary conditions lighting designers use general uniform lighting. Local lighting you can find in the working areas of personnel to perform certain tasks. Lighting allows you to navigate in the space of a large infrastructure. It’s especially important for travelers in the huge building of airport.
An airport is a large and technologically complex facility with many people in it. So, safety and security are very important task in a case of emergency situations. You should think about it while designing lighting for airport. Emergency lighting is also imperative in public space. It provides a sufficient level of illumination for the necessary actions of employees in important areas, and easy way for people to get to emergency exits.
Now airports use many technological solutions that contribute to convenient and comfortable organization of processes (security systems, electronic check-in counters, customs control equipment, etc.). All these solutions are in sight, while lighting should not draw attention to itself. The task of lighting is to remain invisible, obtaining functional and comfortable environment.

3. Visual images and impressions
Modern airports are architectural landmark of the city, because the first impression is formed at the moment of arrival of a traveler. Before entering the city, travelers look forward to the time they will spend in it, even if it is only for a few days. Airport spaces directly affect the emotional background of the trip. A pleasant atmosphere comes in a complex way – this is the interaction with the airport staff, and the architectural solutions of the building, infrastructure, and of course, the quality of lighting solutions. Modern architecture is revealed with the help of lighting. It communicates with people at any time of the day, meeting and seeing off passengers on a journey.

4. Natural light and energy saving
Now architects try to use as much as possible natural light in modern terminals. They design large areas of facade glazing, thanks to which natural light fills the interior. Such design solutions are not only visually attractive, they provide a natural connection between a person and the environment, and also help in energy saving. The airport building is a large modern technological system that consumes electricity day and night.
Lighting design solutions for airports requires from lighting designer the deep knowledges of natural light, effectively combine it with artificial light, and to implement them with modern technologies and lighting control systems. It is possible to adjust the lighting parameters in the interior in accordance with changes in the natural environment with the help of sensors and automation systems.

5. VIP lighting solutions
Airports provide business lounges and areas for VIP clients. The organization of these spaces differs from public spaces because of higher quality of space and services. Special design interior solutions are developed for them. They use there expensive finishing materials, furniture, lighting devices, providing green spaces there and also create special design objects. Lighting for business halls already performs not only a functional task, but also a decorative one. Special lighting design solutions helps to create suitable lighting environment that complements design solutions and emphasizes the architecture of VIP spaces. The passengers who choose to travel business class and vip service expect a special level of comfort and aesthetics, including interior solutions and space organization.

6. Innovation and technology
Public spaces with innovative and technological solutions are the most comfortable. They help to operate the building systems and obtain the convenient management of services. There are clear and intuitive interfaces for travelers in public spaces. All these features help employees to do their work faster, easier, avoid mistakes and difficulties, and create comfortable conditions for passengers to stay and continue their flights.
Lighting control is an integral part of the building management system of a modern airport. Engineers and lighting designers create suitable lighting solutions considering the details of control protocols, the specifics of engineering equipment, electrics and the technical tasks.

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