The latest lighting trends in 2023
Written by
20 February 2023
•
5 min read
Lighting is one of the most significant factors that influence our perception of a space. The ambience of a sun-drenched room at 5pm on a summer’s afternoon is obviously drastically different from the feeling of a dank, damp and light-deprived room with little natural light.
The stark contrast between these two scenarios can have more of an impact on our moods and wellbeing than you might think. Good quality lighting, along with thoughtful architectural design that maximises the natural light a space receives, is a crucial facet of building design.
To learn more about the importance of lighting to our day-to-day lives, ArchiPro sat down with Nick Gilbert, Director & General Manager of Fourth Dimension Lighting, who discusses the latest trends in the industry, Fourth Dimension’s response to these trends, and the impact of lighting on our mindset and wellbeing.
ArchiPro: Fourth Dimension specialises in world class lighting solutions. As an expert in the industry, can you explain what trends you are seeing in terms of lighting?
Nick Gilbert: We are seeing miniaturisation and flexibility as a growing trend with a focus on integrating lighting to showcase the architecture.
Flexibility is important as we change the way we use spaces regularly. Light is an important factor when using a space, whether it be a workspace or a place to relax – how you apply light to each space can impact the overall feel of the area. Our approach is to integrate light scenes: combining ambient lighting with accents, direct with indirect lighting, that sort of thing.
Lighting accents lend character to a private residence: setting off the collector’s vase on the sideboard, adding a scenic frame to artwork on the wall or making a feature of the dining table. General lighting provides overall brightness – but more than that, vertical illuminance achieves an expansive spatial impression and determines our perception of brightness.
As we get older, lighting becomes even more vital; wall-washing combined with accent lighting creates optimum visual conditions in retirement homes, for example. Pleasantly illuminated rooms with balanced brightness convey a sense of security.
AP: What are people looking for and loving right now?
NG: Luxury materials and sustainable design. Like most industries, our consumers are becoming more aware of the impact they have on the planet.
People always want a little bit of luxury in their life and what better way to achieve this than with a feature pendant or wall sconce. Bronze, brass and aged materials are on trend currently with a lot of interior details having these materials integrated.
AP: What kind of products do you offer that reflect these trends?
NG: We have a number of products from across our range that reflect these trends. Arkoslight leads the way with this – it’s a new range with a focus on miniaturisation and optical control.
We love the Black Foster and Shot Light families. Black Foster embodies the spirit of minimalist, modern architecture, and the true integration of lighting and interior design.
In a well-designed space, the masking of the origin of light is a crucial characteristic. With the Black Foster, the only way to directly see the source of light is standing right under it. Perceiving any kind of light disturbance within the field of vision has been effectively restricted to a small range of angles.
AP: I know you work closely with architects. Can you tell me about this relationship, and why it's beneficial for both parties to have good collaboration?
NG: The relationship with architects is the lifeblood of our business – we work closely with them to bring their designs to life with light.
We work from the very early stages of design, and our goal is to provide support so architects can deliver the best outcome for their clients. When working on projects we use the latest building information modelling (BIM) technology and pioneering platforms such as Dialux which enables us to increase the efficiency of the process and the accuracy of lighting calculations.
We also share the 3D files of our luminaires with architects to foster their creativity.
AP: Tell me about the importance of good quality lighting - how can it affect our quality of life and wellbeing?
NG: It's simple really: a considered lighting design utilising quality fittings with good glare control and focussed optics is a must.
Lighting seems to be an afterthought in New Zealand, most people don’t see the value in a lighting unless it’s a pendant or decorative fitting. But it's so important!
Artificial lighting is a major factor in human health and wellbeing. We spend so much time under artificial light that it can have massive negative impacts on our mood, sleep and productivity. So it really is important to invest in quality lighting for your home that assists you to relax and get good amounts of sleep.
Colour temperature is another massive factor, as it can affect your sleep cycle (circadian rhythm). We are using a lot more tunable white or dim to warm LEDs, which allow us to replicate natural light cycles throughout the day to best match your circadian rhythm.
Good lighting means good moods and good sleep.
AP: Let's talk about recent updates at Fourth Dimension - I understand you recently acquired Prolicht. Can you tell me about this?
NG: Yes we did, late last year we became the exclusive distribution partner for Prolicht in NZ. This is an exciting new addition to our business and product offering, Prolicht are recognised as a global leader in architectural lighting.
Their point of difference that elevates them above other brands is their ability to manufacture their fittings in any one of their standard 38 colours within 5 days of order being received.
Learn more about Fourth Dimension Lighting and its range of products.