Lighting the reception area: quality over mere lux values

So complement quantitative lighting design with qualitative criteria.

Bear in mind, however, that the safety of a foyer is governed by standards and accident-prevention regulations, and that the prescribed illuminance levels must be maintained. Other visual tasks such as orientation, atmosphere, well-being, and identity call for your attention.

Consider the space from the perspective of perception. Imagine how visitors experience the entrance. Above all, they need orientation. But don't forget the mood within the foyer.

Use light deliberately to support visual tasks and meet psychological needs. This creates a pleasantly inviting, feel-good atmosphere in the foyer that also complies with the standards for safe use.

Develop a perception-oriented design. Reveal the potential in terms of design, technology, and energy. Start by analyzing the existing situation.

In the foyer, the reception, lounge areas, a daylight façade, and a staircase to the seminar rooms all come together. Create a spacious sense of space through wallwashing on the wall opposite the entrance. Then plan quantitatively according to standards and function. Circulation areas require a horizontal illuminance of 100 lx with a high level of uniformity. At the reception desk, a minimum of 300 lx is required.

Use wide-beam LED downlights whenever uniform general lighting is called for. Decide between the solutions: quantitatively standard, using downlights, or qualitatively, with wallwashing and, for example, zoning at the tables.

With the standard solution, a regular grid lets you meet the standard values efficiently and thereby provide good visual clarity. If you opt for the qualitative solution, your energy use will be different.

Use the comparison as the basis for your design. It becomes clear where quantitative lighting provides safety and compliance with standards. In this way, you simultaneously achieve qualitative lighting design for orientation, atmosphere, and spatial quality.

Use accent lighting to deliberately emphasize objects or architectural elements. Narrow beams of light draw attention to what matters most.

Use brightness to create a visual hierarchy, since the brightest surface in a space is also perceived as the most important. Separate what is important from what is not.

With accent lighting, you bring exhibits, reception areas, or distinctive architectural elements to the fore. Model shapes and surfaces. Directional light produces shadow, brilliance, and a three-dimensional effect. Work with clear contrasts. A brightness contrast of 1:10 has a powerful effect and sets objects clearly apart from their surroundings. In this way, you create focus, orientation, and a clear hierarchy of perception within the space.

Use color temperature contrasts to subtly differentiate the effect of objects within a space. This creates ambiance, depth, and visual tension.

Combine colored accent lighting with colored background lighting. This lets you influence how strongly an object stands out or recedes.

To do so, reduce the brightness in the background. This increases the color saturation of the object in the foreground. Also consider the spatial effect of colors. Blue tones tend to recede visually. Magenta feels more present and advances visually. In this way, color lets you control not only the mood but also perception, depth, and the way the eye is guided.

Intensifying colored lighting effects

Use colored light to deliberately intensify lighting effects. Color changes contrasts, ambiance, and spatial perception. Work with strong color contrasts. These increase perceived brightness and make lighting effects more striking.

Use high brightness contrasts deliberately. This intensifies the color effect and makes objects stand out more distinctly. Use reddish filter colors to create warm, vibrant impressions. Use cool, bluish light colors to create atmospheric depth. These create distance, calm, and a distinctive spatial mood.

With RGBW luminaires, brightness, and contrast, you can control the effect of light precisely.

Use wallwashing to give reception areas a bright, welcoming feel. An evenly lit rear wall creates calm, openness, and orientation.

Deploy wallwashers as recessed ceiling luminaires or on the track. They illuminate even tall walls efficiently and evenly. Turn vertical surfaces into carriers of information. Logos, banners, or signage stand out clearly against brightly washed walls.

Emphasize spaciousness. Vertical lighting makes foyers feel more generous. Use wallwashing in the rear areas of the space as well. This supports wayfinding and makes the building intuitive to read.

Accentuating objects with light

Use accent lighting purposefully to create hierarchies within the space. This guides visitors' gaze and makes it easier for them to find their way.

For this, use unobtrusive light sources. Recessed ceiling spotlights are visually discreet and offer flexible aiming for changing exhibits or signage.

Work with directional light. It precisely highlights individual eye-catchers such as wall objects. You can also use it to accentuate entire areas. Information desks, meeting tables, or lounge zones gain greater presence this way. The result is a clearly structured space that offers orientation and makes key points visible.

Creating zoned base brightness

Use light to give the space a clear, easily readable structure. For tall spaces, choose narrow light distributions to minimize the risk of glare. These luminaires are particularly well suited to horizontal general lighting free of glare.

Create light islands for seating areas within the space. To do so, use more powerful spotlights or arrange them more densely. Complement the general lighting purposefully. Aimed spotlights or pendant luminaires, for example, are ideal for additionally emphasizing individual zones.

Light circulation zones directly and, relative to the spatial effect, with more accent. This gives paths, transitions, and lounge areas greater presence.

Combine accent lighting, floodlights, and wallwashers into a balanced lighting solution. This lets you support the various functional zones in the foyer in a targeted way.

Use accent lighting for the reception desk and displays. It guides the eye and creates clear hierarchies. Floodlights are ideal for larger objects or presentation areas, producing calm, even illumination.

Add wallwashers for vertical surfaces. They emphasize the depth of the space, aid orientation, and create a bright, welcoming atmosphere in the reception area.

Using very narrow accent lighting

Use recessed spotlights to stage exhibits with rich contrast. Set individual objects apart from their surroundings in a targeted way. To do so, choose a spotlight with a very narrow beam and a light distribution of less than 10°. This tightly focused light draws the eye clearly to the exhibit.

From a short distance the light distribution appears very narrow, yet from a greater distance in high foyers this very narrow spot achieves the effect of a spot. Taking this into account creates precise accent lighting with a strong presence and clear hierarchies of perception.

Light focus with several narrow spotlights

Arrange the recessed spotlights in a circle above the reception desk. This creates a clear light focus within the space.

Create a strong brightness contrast with the surroundings. The desk stands out clearly and becomes recognizable as a central point of contact. In rooms with high ceilings, choose the "Narrow Spot" light distribution. The very narrow beam focuses the light precisely onto the desk.

This way you illuminate the reception area alone, avoid stray light, and create clear hierarchies of perception.

Use decorative lighting details

Cove lighting on the ceiling and suspended luminaires, for example, create an elegant ambiance. Dim the wallwashing deliberately. The boundaries of the room remain subtly discernible without drawing the focus away from the tables. This approach keeps the room in balance. The hall then feels atmospheric, but not dark.

Stage projections flexibly

Use gobo motifs to make your event themes visible. Your designed light becomes a medium for flexible communication within the room.

Use projections deliberately as a design element. Logos, patterns, or motifs create recognition and reinforce the atmosphere. With projections, you can quickly adapt the room to the occasion, mood, and dramaturgy of the event.

Stage colored lighting

Use colored light to make walls lively and atmospheric. Combined with projections, you achieve a high-contrast spatial effect.

Use color deliberately to set the mood. Complement the colored wall lighting with neutral accent lighting. With good color rendering, the tables remain brilliantly lit, and people, food, and decorations can be perceived in their true colors.

Ensure good color rendering on the tables within the colored surroundings so that food retains its true color and stays appetizing. This lets you combine a lively atmosphere with visual comfort, lighting quality, and appetizing appeal.