Using Sunlight in Retail Lighting Design
By stephen
December 28, 2016
Sunlight – it’s wonderful, ain’t it?
But, it can also be a complex consideration when lighting a retail environment. Here’s how we combined both natural and artificial lighting for Mecca Cosmetica Armadale.
As we all know using natural light has its obvious rewards, but it also has challenges in retail applications and our project for Mecca Cosmetica at Armadale was a case study in using natural light at the core of the composition. The interior architecture from Meacham Nockles McQualter was an alluring mix of sophistication and sensuosity.
To complement this, we needed a focused pooling of light that provided defined contrasts between circulation spaces and display units. The tone and feel in the circulation areas must be comfortable and inviting – not dark and brooding like a DC movie – while brand displays must be bright enough to delicately pop.
The skylight (pictured) is a major feature element which runs through the centre of the store. It’s supported by a blackened steel surface, with neutral greys and elements of stark contrasting whites.
The challenge with mixing natural and artificial light in a cosmetics and skincare retail environment is not only achieving a consistent light, but also controlling the colour temperature and providing a colour correct lighting environment for cosmetic colour matching.
And this all has to be achieved at different times of the day and year, adding a layer of complexity to the task.
We selected the Sense downlight for its even distribution, focused beam, low glare qualities, colour characteristics and importantly – for controlling the outputs. The trimless quality of the fitting and minimal aesthetics makes them truly at home in a grid design.
To partner them and continue the sophisticated styling, a wall-mounted Baby Abaco – defined by its diminutive size and strong light output – was used in the Atrium. The colour qualities of the fitting matched perfectly with the requirements for cosmetic consultation.
Scope is so tiny and subtle, it could actually fit into the perforated vestibule, which allowed us to provide further depth to the store, by highlighting a glass display at the very rear of the space.
Mecca Cosmetica Armadale highlights that when creativity and consideration conjoin, then a combination of both natural and artificial light to spatial design will truly elevate the outcome.
To see more images from Mecca Cosmetica Armadale, visit our Mecca Cosmetica lighting project gallery. For further reading, we recommend ‘The Architecture of Natural Light’ by Henry Plummer. You can pop in and borrow ours. but be warned – our copy is in German.
Hast du das, freund?