FOCUS 065


from their bright, cold, flickering screens from the moment they enter the reception. As discussed at the beginning, the need to relax and de-stimulate our eye– mind system elevates the importance of contrast- controlled techniques throughout every aspect of our interiors.


Every space now has the potential to become the site for a selfie, or an urgent group meeting on a virtual platform. Te darkening of our interiors as a whole is a subtly unconscious balance recognising that our working day is primarily occupied with a virtually lit interior emanating from our devices. Our dark spaces encourage and remind us to look away from our screens and engage with the people actually present in the room.


Above Contrast ratios needed to be controlled in reading areas and staircases to prevent disturbances caused by glare or reflected light


Opposite page PwC’s headquarters in London contrasts dark walls with a bright, animated central area


Previous page The impact of light pollution on the natural environment was another important consideration


Our last example of this consciously uses darkness to separate the occupant from their daylit environment on arrival. An intentionally all-black interior surrounds a warm, lit animated centre, encouraging the need to slow down and disengage from peripheral distractions, concentrating instead on the immediate reality and present company. We are not predicting that all interiors will become darker with a warm ambience in the next few years. What we do think is already evident: that the entire natural lighting cycle of light and dark, and the ability to choose the different moods these stimulate, will be present in all workplaces. As the distinction between workplace and leisure has already merged, so the capability of lighting diverse psychological modes will be required in every space we occupy, regardless of activity.


TOM NIVEN


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