On Thursday, 6th November, we were thrilled to welcome guests to our London showroom for an evening event and panel discussion exploring how light and acoustics do far more than serve a practical purpose; they shape how we feel at work.

Lighting That Feels Human

Lighting is often reduced to figures, lux levels, lumens, and UGR values, but the panel made it clear that good lighting is as much about emotion as it is about performance.

Human-centred lighting design starts by thinking about how people use spaces throughout the day. Cooler, white light (around 4000K) supports focus and alertness, while warmer tones (around 3000K) promote calm and relaxation. Mixing the two thoughtfully can subtly influence how people feel and behave.

Yet, lighting design is often dominated by data and standards like CIBSE LG7, which risk producing soulless, one-size-fits-all solutions. The real goal is to create light that feels natural.

That’s where dynamic lighting comes in, mimicking the natural progression of daylight to support the body’s circadian rhythm. It’s a challenge to replicate natural light, as sunlight is not just visible light, but UV and IR. Still, even small steps towards this can have a big impact.

The right lighting is so important, especially considering:

• • The WELL standard links good lighting to improved sleep, mood, and focus.
  • Circadian lighting can help regulate the body’s internal clock, supporting healthier sleep patterns and cognitive performance.
  • Studies show that workers in well-lit environments report higher job satisfaction and up to 15% greater productivity.

Lighting should be intuitive, flexible, and emotionally engaging, something people experience, not just see. To sum it up, “Think in scenes, not fittings.”