ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Philips Lighting Headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands by LAVAMay 21st, 2017 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: LAVA Golden light shines through a canopy of leaves to create a unique gathering space in the atrium of the new Philips Lighting headquarters in Eindhoven. Intelligent lights in the parametric designed ‘tree’ generate different scenarios, boosting communication, interchange and wellbeing for staff and visitors.  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew
 Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew LAVA, with partners INBO and JHK, designed the adaptation of the mid 20th century building for the new headquarters. The aim was to design public and work spaces that embrace the innovative, people-centric values of lighting technology company Philips. “The atrium, originally the central courtyard of the 1950s building, was designed as a place of welcome, way finding, branding and staff interaction, and therefore had to be strong spatially,” said LAVA director Alexander Rieck.  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew The atrium also brings people together by congregating core activities such as exhibitions, meeting rooms, coffee bar, public talks and staff meetings, and is also the entrance to the new Philips Lighting Application Centre. Staff and visitors are greeted in the central atrium by LAVA’s huge parametrically designed interactive light ‘tree’ comprised of 1500 ‘leaves’, hanging pyramidal panels suspended from the ceiling. The concept is of light filtering through trees.  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew Covering the whole atrium ceiling the sculpture demonstrates the behaviour of light, both natural and artificial: reflection, diffusion and emission. “Light was obviously the main driver but LAVA’s design goes beyond just showcasing technical solutions – it explores a deeper understanding of the nature of light. Light is only visible to the human eye when it reflects on something, so the sculpture gives shape and visibility to light,” added Rieck.  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew “Light is used for information, visualisation, emotion and enabling – our tool to create a volume of space.” Mr Rieck explained: “The sun gives our sense of time. Working in an office means people miss the subtle light changes during the day. So LAVA programmed the panels using low-level artificial intelligence to create daily light scenarios in an organic and non-repetitive way for the whole calendar year. Scenarios respond to different seasons, times of the day and the architectural layout of the atrium space and are used to activate or relax the users throughout the day.”  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew “It’s a bit like an ecosystem, with light effects turning golden, for example, as an energy boost in the morning.” A reflective surface on the back of each panel creates a play of light and shadow. It also filters and reflects natural light from the atrium side windows and skylights. Five hundred panels use self-emitting Philips Ecophon Soundlight – an integral product that consists of comfortable LED lighting with sound absorption in an integrated light and acoustic ceiling system.  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew “We know from Fraunhofer Institute research that generating different lighting effects is a cost effective way to bring variety and productivity to the lives of workers who quickly become oblivious to their surroundings, no matter how attractive.” “The iconic design not only gives visitors an amazing experience and a transition from the entrance to offices and the LAC, but also reflects this innovative and forward-thinking company,” he added.  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew  Image Courtesy © Jonathan Andrew The offices were designed to foster creativity with a more flexible and efficient use of space. Spaces were designed to encourage informal ‘accidental’ interactions, known to be a key enhancer of success in R&D businesses. Special environments were created for different work situations – from concentration to communication, activation to relaxation.  Image Courtesy © LAVA Other factors such as variable visual fields, perceived security, acoustics, smell, lighting, materials and textures contribute to an effective and harmonious work environment, which meets the highest standards of the innovative workspace layout WPI (work place innovation). The design was developed using the latest workspace research and Philip’s experience with recent fit-out experiments plus an intensive cycle of interviews and design meetings involving the end users and building management.  Image Courtesy © LAVA ABOUT LAVA Award-winning LAVA (Laboratory for Visionary Architecture) was founded, in 2007, by directors, Chris Bosse, Tobias Wallisser and Alexander Rieck. LAVA currently has under construction a new university master plan and headquarters in Riyadh, a new youth sports hostel in Bayreuth and has recently completed an airport retail fit out in Sydney.  Image Courtesy © LAVA  Image Courtesy © LAVA
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Tags: Eindhoven, Netherlands Categories: Building, Headquarters, Office Building, office Complex, Office space, Offices |
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