Jordan Apotheke (Indoor Lighting) by Conceptlicht GmbH
2012 - 2013, Golden A' Lighting Products and Lighting Projects Design Award Winner
Every interior space is composed of different elements which have different levels of importance for understanding the setting. However, this hierarchy of elements is sometimes superimposed by overlaying information, such as colour, structure, or light. Light is information. Light and brightness draw attention and lead the view, giving visual significance to highlighted areas and making them appear more important than darker ones. If the hierarchy of brightness which is formed by lighting design does not match the inherent hierarchy of spatial elements, the result would be discomfort and disorientation. Consequently, it is a main task of lighting design to set brightnesses according to the logic of the space. This means that a) no "unimportant" areas are hit by light accidentally. A column shall either be highlighted completely (from top to bottom) or not at all, because either it is important or not. Illuminating it with a light cone at half height makes no sense as it visually cuts the column in two parts. b) the space is as free as possible from visual burdens, such as glaring light sources. For understanding a simple room, elements like the floor or walls are important. High brightnesses within downlights in the ceiling only disturb the perception of space.
The “Jordan Apotheke“ in Erlangen, Germany, is a bright and spacious pharmacy distinguished by clear structures and a dynamic furniture arrangement. Supporting this expressive architecture, also the lighting design is very clear and sensible, aiming at an unimpeded experience of space. The functional luminaires are unobtrusive in their appearance, drawing attention to their effect of light instead of their fixture design. The luminaires for basic lighting are either integrated in pendant luminaires tracing the shape of the furniture or are mounted at the sides of the suspended ceiling, keeping it as clean of luminaires as possible. The lateral luminaires for accentuating the walls are set back, without causing undesired light spots at the ceiling. This way, a large part of luminaires disappears from view. Being freed from visual burdens, the ceiling appears even stronger and clearer. Against this background, the best conditions are given for a track of light leading through the pharmacy. As the façade is extensively glassed, the entrance area is emphasized by square backlit light tiles, glowing diffusively and facilitating orientation. They are concentrated in the entrance area and disperse towards the dispensary. The RGB-LED-backlit light tiles correspond in their colour to the likewise LED-backlit counters. This way, the pharmacy appears with a consistent spatial impact, allowing a change of ambiance, for instance with a cool Blue in summertime, a warm Red in winter, or a dynamic play of colours throughout the day.
Design Challenges
Conceptlicht GmbH did not encounter any design challenges while designing the award winning Jordan Apotheke Indoor Lighting.
Production Technology
The lighting design concept is realized using metal halide lamps for energy-efficient basic lightling, LED and fluorescent lamps for accent lighting.