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How has lighting evolved in recent years ?
It has evolved in terms of the available options and the technicalities . Although at first the color wasn ’ t great , LED has now become the norm for lighting . The innovation of the product has changed the industry to the extent that whereas it was previously something handled by architects and interior designers , it has now become a field of its own . This is now becoming widely accepted . Ten years ago a client might have asked what you could do for them beyond simply placing a spotlight or two on the ceiling . I believe we have helped Egyptians change their perception of lighting ; there has been a major evolution in people ’ s understanding of its importance .
Has lighting become a priority in any build now ?
In the past it was a factor left to the end of a project . Money was put into a decorative item , like a status symbol chandelier , or two . Now it is realized that lighting doesn ’ t just start from the decorative element . There needs to be a balance between architectural lighting and decorative lighting . A big part of my job is to create lighting that
showcases the structural and design features created by the architect and interior designer . But again , when you have too much light in a space you get a ‘ flat ’ feel , without the nuances of light and shade . The placement and type of lighting needs to be taken into consideration very early in the planning stage , even though you need to be flexible as design plans change or develop .
Of course , lighting needs vary according to the designated use of any space . Residential lighting differs tremendously from the requirements for commercial , corporate , retail and entertainment spaces . In the past , people were less interested in the lighting for their offices . There has been a huge change as the world has become more concerned with corporate image and corporate culture , as well as a more scientific approach to workplace lighting . Productivity is directly impacted by the type , placement and strength of lighting in any office . It can be function related according to each room , although generally shared areas like corridors should have uniform lighting . There is a misconception that less interior lighting is needed during the hours of daylight . That is counter-intuitive , as in reality , you actually need to increase interior light source to match the level of external light to balance it .
Residential lighting needs to have a totally different approach , as you must create spaces that serve multiple and varied activities and states of relaxation . Lighting also has to be task related , whether you are reading a menu in a restaurant , or in your dressing room at home . You must feel comfortable with the amount and positioning of the light source .