Who is responsible for the magic?
«People do not buy goods and services. They buy relationships, stories, and magic,” entrepreneur and former Yahoo VP of Marketing Seth Godin says about the entire market in general, but it's perhaps not the most true for the hospitality and foodservice industry.
Ihor Smetana: "Light design is primarily about emotion"
The main goal of entrepreneurship in the HoReCa sector (acronym Hotel-Restaurant-Catering/Cafe. — Editor's note), like any other, is the sale of services and goods. Accommodation or rent, accompanying an event or holiday, food - in the dry residue, everything is prosaic.
The way to profits lies through a successful establishment concept, thanks to a professional team, quality exteriors and interiors, convenient location, compliance with regulations, good product suppliers, etc. And for more fragile mechanisms, that bit of "magic" is more difficult for the owners to predict, isolate and control.
Settlements between the client and the institution, the formation of guest loyalty are impossible without a special "currency". These are emotions, impressions, memories. They are the key to the uniqueness and longevity of the business, especially when there are a large number of competitors in the segment.
The guest's impressions and desire to return depend on the lighting in HoReCa establishments. It is important to create an emotion, an atmosphere of comfort and reliability. Restaurant "Meat" (Emily Resort complex), 5F studio project
How exactly does lighting design work in HoReCa? Today, high-quality scenarios are practically not used in isolation, it is always a complete picture, but according to the purpose, the work of light can be fragmented as follows:
- provision of functional light for processes, work of the institution (in particular, in service, technical and invisible to guests premises, for preparation and cooking of meals, navigation, operation of devices, etc.);
- zoning and accentuation. Attracting attention and selling services and goods (illumination of shop windows, bar, products, selected parts of the premises);
- hospitality as such, building an image, delayed sale of services and goods (exterior and interior lighting, creation of a special atmosphere and emotional hooks, personalization of the environment, visual effects designed to increase recognition, originality).
Ihor Smetana, Human Centric Lighting expert, founder and CEO of Luminal
In the portfolio of the team Luminal more than a hundred projects, the company performs step-by-step development and implementation of complex lighting solutions. This is industrial, external and internal lighting, architectural lighting, customization and manufacturing of lighting devices and systems.
The studio's specialists are the authors of the lighting of the square in front of the Lviv Opera House, several spaces of the Ukrainian Catholic University (the Sheptytskyi Center, the Church of St. Sophia, the Collegium of the University). Luminal developed concepts and implemented lighting design for the St. Paraskeva Medical Center (Lviv), the interdisciplinary cultural and artistic center Jam Factory (in the Pidzamche district of Lviv), the sports and entertainment complex Leoland (Lviv), the business campus LvivTech.City (Lviv). , offices of SoftServe, Regus and many other projects.
Some of Luminal's HoReCa projects are the "Meat" restaurant in the Emily Resort recreation complex, the 88 cocktail bar, the Ukrainian-Asian restaurant FAMI Chefs, the facade lighting of the Danylo Inn hotel, etc.
In its work, the company with 11 years of experience is guided by senses Human Centric Lighting — human-centric lighting, that is, one that takes into account the influence of natural solar cycles on a person and his internal "clock". Currently, the Human Centric Lighting approach and the use of appropriate light is becoming the gold standard for modern projects in many countries, and Ukraine is no exception.
Luminal experts also hold educational meetings, during which they introduce Ukrainian lighting designer colleagues, lighting technicians, engineers and architects to this arsenal, which is focused on the special comfort of users.
Luminal Studio holds educational meetings where Human Centric Lighting approaches and experiences are shared. This year, three objects worked on by the Luminal team were awarded the "Creator of the Year" architectural and construction award.
Luminal Studio holds educational meetings where Human Centric Lighting approaches and experiences are shared. This year, three objects worked on by the Luminal team were awarded the "Creator of the Year" architectural and construction award.
Luminal Studio holds educational meetings where Human Centric Lighting approaches and experiences are shared. This year, three objects worked on by the Luminal team were awarded the "Creator of the Year" architectural and construction award.
In previous materials with the participation of the studio, we decided that in modern architecture, light is a full-fledged building material.
Founder and CEO of Luminal Ihor Smetana mentions the important integrating role of light for spaces, exteriors and environments. It can also be used to set certain functionality.
The illumination of the bridge that leads to the restaurant reacts to human movement and acts as a kind of signpost, directing guests to the entrance. The lighting was made by the company Luminal for the restaurant "Meat"
"Experienced restaurateurs know that people go to restaurants for emotions and impressions. Institutions study their CA in detail to develop appropriate marketing, the central core of which is the concept of the institution and its implementation, kitchen, menu. The atmosphere of the establishment, created thanks to the design, is responsible for attracting the audience. It gives meaning to the guests," he notes.
"The light explains to the guest of the establishment at the level of sensations, where is which zone. In addition, light is how we understand and distinguish between materials and decorations," Igor Smetana
According to Igor Smetana, the interaction between the establishment and the guest can be divided into two important stages. The impression of the first visit is the most vivid, because it cannot be repeated. Both high-quality lighting design and a certain "chip" or history of the establishment can take part in creating this "wow effect". They seem to address the guests: "Come, feel, see!"
However, these first emotions are fleeting. Therefore, business owners and specialists who work with spaces need to determine what, in addition to service and cuisine, which is the basis of the concept, will encourage people to come to the establishment and become regular customers in the future.
"This is a sensitive issue for business. It is researched by hospitality professionals, marketers, and of course there are differing opinions. In our opinion, the main emphasis should be on human values, this is the same human-centeredness. If, as a customer, you feel that you were taken care of, and this is primarily about the service, taken care of - the functionality and atmosphere of the establishment are responsible for this, then over time this experience begins to be associated with the respective establishment.
You ask, where is the light? It is decisive for functionality and atmosphere at the same time," says the expert.
High-quality lighting is equally important for the functional and technological part of institutions and presentation areas. Restaurant "Meat" (Emily Resort complex)
High-quality lighting is equally important for the functional and technological part of institutions and presentation areas. Restaurant "Meat" (Emily Resort complex)
High-quality lighting is equally important for the functional and technological part of institutions and presentation areas. Restaurant "Meat" (Emily Resort complex)
It is important to think about what the client will feel after the first meeting, in addition to the service and quality of the dishes
"When we define the concept of light design as human-centered, a number of criteria for the development of the project and its implementation follow from this. We write out these criteria zonally and take into account the "client's path" in his feelings and impressions.
The light explains to the guest at the level of sensations where which zone is. In addition, light is how we understand and distinguish materials, decors. For example, there is a welcoming hall of the institution as a first impression. Let's ask the question: what exactly should this impression be? What does the client feel, and how does the lighting design tell him about the concept of the place and shape the atmosphere?"
Ihor Smetana notes that lighting designers should think about these things at the design stage, when zoning the premises: "When planning functional light in certain rooms or during scenario planning of lighting, we have to determine what emotion the client should feel and exactly where. Comfort, safety, care, being taken care of. How does this feeling combine with the service, with the menu, etc."
How we see objects and their colors in rooms depends on the lighting characteristics. In the interiors, the viewer mainly sees the light that is reflected from the materials
«In the interiors, the viewer mainly sees the light reflected from the materials. The way we perceive this or that interior (and in a number of cases, the exterior as well) is essentially determined by artificial light, - continues the founder of the Luminal company. — We see reflected light and, depending on it, imagine spaces in different ways. Therefore, as specialists, we must be sure that the appropriate contrasts of light are working, that there are no highlights, color distortions.
Imagine that there is an expensive material in the interior, which looks very cool and cool during the day. So when a person comes to a restaurant during the day, he sees it, understands it and feels it. It comes in the evening - and it happens that the same material is poorly lit, and then it is not about him at all. Its form, content, texture are distorted, perhaps it does not convey the desired feeling."
Ihor Smetana continues the story about the connection between the spectrum of light, the transmission and perception of color. Yes, a special characteristic of LED lamps is the quality of the red spectrum that they can generate. Initially, the industrial LED chip glows blue, the blue light is converted into a spectrum thanks to the application of a special phosphor. Light can vary depending on the characteristics of the lamp and the color rendering index, the number of samples (color samples. — Ed. note) and affect how we see objects in the room.
Ihor Smetana: "When planning functional light indoors or during lighting scenario planning, we have to determine what emotion the client should feel and exactly where. Comfort, safety, care, being taken care of. This feeling should be combined with the service, menu, etc."
The expert concludes: "Lighting design is primarily about emotion. This is a kind of language in which the environment speaks directly to our emotions and feelings. Light can give this emotion and combine it with form and meaning. By the way, the dialogue of form and content in projects is a separate interesting topic. We often see how designers are concerned with form. For example, the shape of lamps as elements of the interior or decor.
But you can't sacrifice the content either. Those parameters that we always talk about in the company, the quality of the spectrum, the invisibility of light sources, its sufficiency, visual and non-visual effects, etc. This content cannot be neglected by saying: "The form is more important to me, because I sold the customer exactly this visual picture, and he wants it."
Luminal custom chandelier "Water-Fire" creates a caustic optical effect on the walls or ceiling due to reflected and diffused light. Rotating, the object forms light rays resembling a waterfall, water movement or flame
Ihor Smetana: "I remember a project that is currently postponed due to military actions: in one of the halls of a public building, we designed a chandelier, where a caustic effect is created with the help of reflected light from glass and diffused light (Caustics are optical surfaces and curves that arise during reflection and Refraction of light can be described as lines or surfaces along which light rays are concentrated. There was little natural light in the darkened hall, so it was possible to depict this imitation there. That is, it was the content of the room that determined the possibility to do this.
A similar idea will soon be implemented in another restaurant facility."
We will return to the form-content of lamps, in particular their customization, a little later.
The work of light in HoReCa is not purely functional. It is also not a decoration and not an "icing on the cake". Rather, it is a necessary ingredient, with the help of which all parts of the "dessert"-space are perceived as a whole and please your receptors
Complex lighting of the 88 cocktail bar establishment, the author of the interior project is designer Antonina Vatchenko. Development and implementation of light — Luminal
Another thing that the Luminal expert points out: the customer's evaluation of the establishment is often unconscious. High-quality light works as a "soft power" in favor of the institution, and imperfect light works against it.
"Through visual perception, a person "records" the non-visual in his head. We don't see the energy of the waves, other indicators, sometimes we don't feel their effects in real time, but they are there and have an impact on us," he explains.
For people created by light
To better understand how modern lighting technicians and lighting designers work and what values they bring to projects, let's go back to the characteristics of Human Centric Lighting (HCL).
Human-centeredness in lighting design is not a dogma, but a set of scientifically based flexible approaches that take care of human health. They are based on the fact that the entire biological, hormonal and psycho-emotional "inheritance" of a person, the reactions of his body were formed under natural light, and 200-300 years of using artificial light did not affect it in any way.
Depending on the chosen light, the space can be evaluated differently by the visitor. It is not only about feelings and mood, but also about concentration of attention, health. The feature of lighting from Luminal in the Barvy event hall is invisible DarkPoint solutions
Depending on the chosen light, the space can be evaluated differently by the visitor. It is not only about feelings and mood, but also about concentration of attention, health. The feature of lighting from Luminal in the Barvy event hall is invisible DarkPoint solutions
Depending on the chosen light, the space can be evaluated differently by the visitor. It is not only about feelings and mood, but also about concentration of attention, health. The feature of lighting from Luminal in the Barvy event hall is invisible DarkPoint solutions
Ihor Smetana says: since 2014, leading scientific institutes have published a number of studies on the work of light and the effect of artificial lighting on people. But construction and hygiene regulations and the global market do not keep up with this knowledge. There are gaps in how to use these metrics on a regular basis.
“Like, for example, the blinding factor of URG. This important indicator seems to be simple and clear for everyone. But in practice, for some reason, it is often neglected, and spaces get a number of zones with glare and discomfort."
"Stimulation of activity with the help of artificial light is like a third cup of coffee. You can drink it with the desire to be invigorated, but you will only get tension and eventually exhaustion." Ihor Smetana
"Human Centric Lighting - about the canvas of human-centricity in lighting. There are enough technologies to claim that this is exactly such an approach to lighting, the expert explains. — Many people are still confused about concepts, use the definitions of "biological lighting", "biodynamic", "human-centric", "circadian", and some others. Circadian lighting technology, based on knowledge of circadian rhythms, is truly part of Human Centric Lighting. Human-centeredness is intertwined with the applied things we know about light and design, form-content, and so on.”
Light has always been an equal factor in a healthy environment, along with indicators of air purity, noise level, and temperature. But only recently, thanks to science and technology, we were able to influence it qualitatively
The visual impact of light is correlated with our ability to distinguish objects, concentrate attention, and read information from the environment. The non-visual affects deeper processes in the body, it is connected with the work of the brain and glands, is responsible for the body's "understanding" of the time of day, synchronization of hormone release, periods of activity and rest.
The lighting concept for 88 cocktail bar is cozy accented light that does not distract from communication and enjoyment of music. The play of light and shadow on the walls and curtains creates an atmosphere of harmony, easy seduction and creativity. Luminal sketch/implementation
The lighting concept for 88 cocktail bar is cozy accented light that does not distract from communication and enjoyment of music. The play of light and shadow on the walls and curtains creates an atmosphere of harmony, easy seduction and creativity. Luminal sketch/implementation
Light has always been an equal factor in a healthy environment, along with indicators of air purity, noise level, and temperature. But only recently, thanks to science and technology, we were able to influence it qualitatively.
Regarding HCL, manufacturers and companies use a number of solutions, often keeping the details of their products secret, as it is a means of competition.
"This is know-how, and few companies currently conducting research want to disclose data on the latest developments. This is their discovery and patents. In general, we can say that there is LED technology, for example, the solar spectrum is simulated by Sunlight diodes. There are additional chips, dimmers, control systems, certain wavelength energy is added, which, for example, stops the process of melatonin secretion and increases cortisol in the morning for your easy awakening. In the same way, in the evening and in the lunch time, another wave energy is also added. As a result, we have a morning with the energy of blue waves and a dusk with the addition of red waves. This can be managed. As a simple example, this can be compared to phytolighting for plants, which enhances photosynthesis. This happens with the help of strengthening the physical parameters, the energy of light," explains CEO Luminal.
Not all companies currently conducting research in Human Centric Lighting are willing to share development data. These are their patents and means of competition
In their work, light experts take into account both visual and non-visual influences. What exactly will be the request from the customer - whether it will be a hotel where it is especially easy to fall asleep and wake up, or a recreation center for people aged 60+, for whom an increase in blue light will improve their well-being (there is a relevant study). Whether a restaurant with "solar" lighting is popular is a choice based only on business.
Custom light in HoReca - whim or necessity?
The use of customized and made-to-order interior objects, furniture, and systems today has become almost a rule of thumb in design, an indicator of "a well-worked project."
We have already determined that for projects related to HoReCa, it is important to win competition from neighbors in the segment, to be remembered, to form customer loyalty. So maybe custom is really the best answer? What can be said about the role of custom lamps?
Ihor Smetana draws attention to the fact that custom lighting is not primarily about decor, a specific chandelier, lamp or shapes. For example, technical lighting is also custom.
The vision of 5F studio architects for the "Meat" restaurant is to convey the atmosphere of a forest house. Luminal responded to the request with an idea that imitates light and shadow from branches, the play of light in nature. The image of a bull is integrated into the general lighting concept, it is synchronized with the chandeliers and the rest of the solutions. Sketches of lighting fragments and direct implementation
The vision of 5F studio architects for the "Meat" restaurant is to convey the atmosphere of a forest house. Luminal responded to the request with an idea that imitates light and shadow from branches, the play of light in nature. The image of a bull is integrated into the general lighting concept, it is synchronized with the chandeliers and the rest of the solutions. Sketches of lighting fragments and direct implementation
The vision of 5F studio architects for the "Meat" restaurant is to convey the atmosphere of a forest house. Luminal responded to the request with an idea that imitates light and shadow from branches, the play of light in nature. The image of a bull is integrated into the general lighting concept, it is synchronized with the chandeliers and the rest of the solutions. Sketches of lighting fragments and direct implementation
"Lighting equipment is very colorful." Each project is individual, and it is often difficult or impossible to choose a ready-made product that will be successfully integrated into the required lighting task.
An important point: when we develop lighting design, we mainly focus on what the result should be. And only then we move on to what products and in what way to provide it," he notes. "If we don't find solutions, which ready-made products can be used to ensure the realization of the idea, then we immediately go to customs."
According to the light design expert, in some cases customization is performed by the factories with which Luminal works: "According to our drawings, they can change or add something, for example, the number of diodes in the lamp, optics or certain structures."
If significant processing is required, the studio's lighting technicians perform it themselves.
"A custom lamp allows you to ensure the chosen idea of light design, not to be tied to the indicators of the factory product and not to sacrifice anything that can affect the final result." Ihor Smetana
Luminal specialists also cooperate with decorators and interior designers. They are not lighting technicians and do not have deep knowledge of the lighting part, so such tandems are productive.
Custom chandeliers covered with natural leather, made for the restaurant "Meat". The lamps are equipped with RGBW controllers, this allows you to change the light from soft white to warm red shades
Ihor Smetana recalls a project for a restaurant, with which the studio worked recently: "The idea of this lamp was developed by the designers of 5F studio, we embodied light scenarios on the object. The case is particularly interesting because it was the first time we encountered a material such as leather, collaborated with craftsmen and learned about the specifics of their craft. In order to complete the task, we had to adapt the structure to the technology of the masters, and it turned out that each of them has its own! We studied almost the entire domestic market of such specialists and learned a lot."
Andriy Ignatyuk, founder and chief architect of 5F studio
A number of examples, which we use to illustrate the story of light in HoReCa, relate specifically to the collaboration of lighting designers and architects in the project for the "Meat" restaurant in the Emily Resort recreation complex. We turned to the chief architect of the complex, the founder and director of the architectural design company 5F studio Andriy Ignatyuk for a comment on the work done.
"The 5F team initiated cooperation with Luminal and involved lighting design specialists to work on our new project "Meat," he says. — For them, we had certain tasks with different light scenarios, the challenge was not only in focusing, maintaining distances in the backlight, but also in maintaining uniform color, tonality and brightness of the surfaces, and all of them were solved by specialists.
For example, one of the most difficult challenges was to set light from a height of 7 meters on a table with dimensions of 90x90 cm in such a way that the person sitting at the table remained in partial shade, and the dishes on the table were sufficiently illuminated. The peculiarity of the situation was that the light reached the same table, which was next to the wall, from a height of 3,5 m, and the brightness on the surface of both tables had to remain the same."
According to Andriy Ignatyuk, the architecture of buildings is valuable, but lighting gives institutions new opportunities. The architect compares the lighting of institutions with make-up, which can be daytime or evening, adjusts to a certain mood and emotions, can hide something and emphasize advantages.
Andriy Ignatyuk: "The key to the success of architects is finding a good team, cooperation with high-quality performers and a responsible approach at each stage of the work"
Dialogue about light with designers, architects and owners
Ihor Smetana: "A mistake sometimes made by the owners of hospitality establishments is that the light is not projected at all. For example, they believe that a general design project is enough, and the rest can be chosen intuitively, even without lighting calculation or modeling.
Light modeling in a 3D program or DIALux is not exhaustive here to understand what the light atmosphere in the hall will be. But at least it gives information on how the light will be distributed. You can understand which devices are located successfully and which ones are not, calculate lighting comfort, optics, the number of lumens in those parts of the room where directional light is needed, etc.
Conceptual establishments that claim quality and know their target audience usually perfectly understand that light must be projected. Those who ignore it, in 99 cases out of a hundred, then redo everything."
Light for musical meditation at 88 cocktail bar: chamber, concentrated deep blue and bright accents. The project was developed and implemented by Luminal
Light for musical meditation at 88 cocktail bar: chamber, concentrated deep blue and bright accents. The project was developed and implemented by Luminal
"In general, communication between lighting designers and designers/architects and customers starts with ideas. I continue to think that light always needs to be projected. However, there are cases when quite simple ideas are developed with not very high requirements for lighting.
In such projects, designers-architects often have sufficient competences to predict how everything will work on their own without a lighting engineer.
But there is one but: today, almost no one does simple projects, because it is impossible to compete with them. Every institution tries to create uniqueness, and lighting design has become an integral part of it," concludes Luminal's CEO.
Ihor Smetana: "Conceptual institutions that claim quality, have certain standards and know their target audience, usually perfectly understand that light must be projected. Those who ignore it, in 99 cases out of a hundred, then redo everything."
"Imagine that a complex space appears. For example, functional light is combined with backlights, decorative lighting, various modes are superimposed on it, scenarios need to be developed... Without a project, it is impossible to "guess" them. Or it will be a path of trial and error, a complex iterative process, which will cost many times more than it could have been.
When a designer/architect works on a concept for a project, lighting experts also create a lighting design concept that will complement it, - explains Ihor Smetana. — At this stage, we show functional light, decorative light, backlights, and their role. We describe how they will work, what they are needed for, how they relate to materials. Where, what color temperature, etc. I would call the concept stage a base, thanks to which we and all project participants can equally understand how we move forward with the design."
The expert notes: at this moment, the question of the budget often arises.
"Our advantage is that already at this stage we can guide the customer in which budget can fit or which budget is relevant to this choice of lighting. What should be paid special attention to, where should and should not be saved, in our opinion, what can be optimized. We also take into account the content of light — that is, the usual light engineering parameters, such as the comfort of lighting, the amount of light. Contrasts and color temperatures, evenness-unevenness, tasks that light will perform.
We describe all this in detail, because we understand how a person will interact with light."
Ihor Smetana: "Nowadays, almost no one does simple projects, because it is impossible to compete with them. Each institution tries to create uniqueness, and lighting design has become an integral part of it."
Luminal's CEO says that clarifying questions asked at this point by the customer and other project participants improve it: "It helps to achieve good results. There is an understanding of the work of each participant, respect for it in the aspect of budgeting. Not only money, but also time."
Bar lighting at 88 cocktail bar. The combination of material and light creates the illusion of movement on the surface of the water. Implementation of Luminal
According to Ihor Smetana, time quotas and respect for work deadlines are an important criterion and tool for cooperation.
"In conditions where there is no significant time pressure, creative specialists can produce very interesting, unique things. After the concept stage, it takes time to “walk through” the project in detail and make it as functional and high-quality as possible. If the time frame is very narrow, it's a lottery whether everything will be successful," he states.
"From the team's experience, I can say: inconsistencies and inconsistencies are easier to remove at the design stage, a significant number of them can be thought through, and at the implementation stage, this will save an incredible amount of time and money. This is a fact.
Those who understand this allocate a sufficient amount of time and budget for project work. At this time, especially if the project involves individual solutions, there is very close cooperation with designers-architects, this is an integration process. We need to conduct tests, make test samples, check how certain materials work with light. After that, it is possible to make adjustments to the decision or budget."
"Lighting is a lot about feeling. Sometimes it is difficult or impossible for us to explain these feelings to the customer, architect or designer. This is something that will be felt later, when the object is realized," - Ihor Smetana
The founder and chief architect of 5F studio Andrii Ignatiuk says: not all initial lighting ideas for the "Meat" restaurant found a place in implementation.
"For example, the idea with the lighting of the bull's eyes was implemented, but we canceled it, because the bull looked too aggressive and evoked slightly different emotions that were originally intended. Therefore, only its background lighting was left.
In our case, the restaurant is a separate building located on the water, it is in a completely different atmosphere and environment, in a different perception by visitors. Therefore, the lighting did not need to support or repeat the context of the Emily Resort, although the warmth of the light was maintained so that the facility did not dissonate with the overall complex.
We wanted to achieve other emotions. It is the variety of functional content and emotional variety of Emily establishments that attracts customers. And the restaurant "Myaso" achieved this result thanks to the cool lighting and lighting design."
The architect recalls a particularly difficult moment in the work: "Two days before handing over the object, we decided to radically change everything - to readjust the scenarios, specify the direction of the light, solve its warmth differently, even change the location of some lamps. In the studio, Luminal came to meet us, so in two days we changed everything."
Ihor Smetana: "Working with the HoReCa segment, it is always interesting that no two establishments are alike. It is also unexpected that no matter how carefully you plan the lighting scenario, what you end up setting will differ from it. Therefore, setting up and displaying light are no less painstaking, resource-intensive stages of work than designing.
Setting up in HoReCa requires high skill and a professional eye. You have to feel and understand light very well, and it's a bit of a subjective thing. Even two lighting designers from the same team can see the best solution differently.
Finding a certain level of objectivity and a compromise option is not an easy task, but overcoming it adds a lot to the experience."
FAMI Chefs is a fusion restaurant where guests "travel" through the kitchens. Interior — Martins Studio. Luminal specialists offered custom lighting control systems for the facility. It is easy to control the light according to the weather outside the window, the time of day or the specifics of the moment
FAMI Chefs is a fusion restaurant where guests "travel" through the kitchens. Interior — Martins Studio. Luminal specialists offered custom lighting control systems for the facility. It is easy to control the light according to the weather outside the window, the time of day or the specifics of the moment
PRAGMATIKA.MEDIA: We mentioned the patents and know-how of lighting companies, which not everyone is willing to share. At the same time, you hold events and workshops that help colleagues study light, its combination with architecture. Can you share some insights about the technologies you use? Perhaps some methods of work differ from the generally accepted ones?
Ihor Smetana: As for the approaches, it is, in fact, the maximum consideration of people-centeredness in lighting systems. Respect for the environment, for the context, taking into account the spectrum of light close to the natural one, etc., is something that has already been discussed.
Regarding technology, what we add to traditional methods can be attributed to the quality parameters of lighting devices. We test everything ourselves, and what is important to us is the high "cost of ownership" of the lighting system for the customer, not to be confused with the cost of the equipment! It is about how long and with what parameters the lighting will work with minimal maintenance costs.
"Lighting designers are integrators who must listen to all parties involved in the project, propose their solution, explain why it is so, and find a compromise"
PM: In our conversation, we paid a lot of attention to how to effectively communicate with customers and project participants at various stages. What gaps in communication can adversely affect the project? In other words, what should not be done?
I. S.: The most important criteria of the process are trust, interaction, mutual understanding, and respect for each other's work. When we work for a common result and do not minimize someone's contribution, then we can expect a good result.
When planning the project and management, customers and architects should remember that we work just like them. According to the same principles, with the same iterations, we go through the approval of the concept, materials, form, consideration of norms, constructions...
We develop individual solutions, perform both contract work and author supervision, light settings. There is a workshop. Sometimes it really is a lot more work than just designing.
If the request is something like: "we have a design, let's make lighting" - yes, it can be done, but the result will be so-so.
The attention of the Luminal light designers in the project for the FAMI Chefs restaurant was attracted by the green area in the glass "cabinet". During the day, the plants are illuminated from above, and in the evening - from below, creating the rhythms of the change of day and the corresponding emotion
The situation can worsen the results when non-constructive proposals are made in the area of responsibility of lighting technicians and lighting designers. Or the partners do not hear explanations that it will not work. Later they see that it is really so, but time has already been lost. Of course, it demotivates.
I have already said that the decision, when not enough time is allocated to the lighting project, is wrong. It's not even about money, but about time, project management. It is as if the owners are deceiving themselves by setting insufficient deadlines, then changes come from them - for example, regarding the textures in the room or the number-location of tables, the functional and technological part of the establishment, etc. In this case, it is not the project that is imperfect, but rather the planning part of the work.
Speaking about lighting settings, I mentioned that different experts may have different opinions about the best option. The designer, administrator, chefs may have a separate opinion. I would say that lighting designers are the kind of integrators who have to listen to all sides, offer their solution, explain why it is so, and find a compromise option for everyone.
"When planning the project and time management, partners should remember that lighting technicians and lighting designers work in the same way as architects. With the same iterations, approval of the concept, materials, form, consideration of norms and constructions", — Ihor Smetana
According to the time of day and seasonality, the light in hospitality establishments should attract attention to dishes, textures on the tables, make guests want to take photos, share impressions - these are the main criteria
Recently, the Luminal team completed work on several projects belonging to the FAMI.resto restaurant group: FAMI Chefs — a restaurant specializing in Ukrainian-Asian cuisine and 88 cocktail bar. The studio also worked on lighting for the FAMI.Italy restaurant and the FAMI.Burger restaurant.
FAMI Chefs is a fusion restaurant where you can "tour" the kitchens. The authors of the design are the Martins Studio team.
Luminal has created custom lighting control systems, lighting scenarios can be controlled using a touch panel. The system is physical, not automatic, so it allows you to manually change lighting modes, for example, when the weather changes or you want to achieve a certain light effect in the establishment.
Narrow lighting angles directed exclusively at the tables add atmosphere to the spaces, and the background lighting of the halls emphasizes the sense of depth and dimension of the interior.
The green area in the large glass cabinet received special attention from Luminal lighting designers working on the project for FAMI Chefs. It turned into a green oasis. During the day, the plants are illuminated from above, in the evening most of the light comes from below, creating the rhythms of the change of day and the corresponding emotion in the guests.
Ihor Smetana, Human Centric Lighting expert, founder and CEO of Luminal
88 cocktail bar, the interior of which was created by designer and decorator Antonina Vatchenko, tells a completely different story, the slogan of the establishment is "a bar of loud impressions".
A lot of blue is used in interior design and lighting solutions. In addition to the direct aesthetic and conceptual function, it acts as a certain "mixological know-how" and appeals to common problems in bars: a lack of lighting and contrasts, the length of time guests visit the establishment.
Healthy cold lighting makes the room visually more spacious, improves concentration - for example, guests of 88 cocktail bar can easily read the menu or distinguish the colors of the drinks. The selected light contributes to the cheerfulness and activity of the guests, supporting the bar concept with an energetic atmosphere.
Lighting solutions in 88 cocktail bar are based on zoning and the use of chamber accented light. General lighting is complemented by anti-glare grilles. The facility also provides decorative lighting, which creates chiaroscuro on the walls and curtains.
Iryna Merkulova and Valery Sozanovskyi, co-founders of the Ukrainian restaurant group FAMI.resto
Iryna Merkulova and Valery Sozanovskyi, co-founders of the FAMI.resto restaurant group, summarize this cooperation: "Light in a HoReCa is important for each of the departments of the establishment, it depends on the impression of the guest, his desire to return. In the first minutes, the visitor should see the areas in which he wants to stop and rest. It depends on their location relative to windows, walls and zoning as a whole, but the main criterion is coziness. Dimmed light also emphasizes food, creates comfort for vacationers. In accordance with the time of day and seasonality, light scenarios should attract attention to appetizing dishes, textures on the tables, make guests want to take photos, share impressions - these are the main criteria.
Many years of experience allow us to clearly understand the main factors that must be taken into account in the creation of new establishments, and lighting is definitely one of them.
Luminal team specialists took into account the concepts of FAMI.resto establishments and successfully integrated lighting elements into the design. During the months of work, we made sure that the guests get the right impressions and return to us, which is the best compliment to us and to everyone involved in the 88 cocktail bar and FAMI Chefs projects."
Bright conclusions
Ihor Smetana talks about trends in the lighting of HoReCa establishments and commercial spaces in general. According to him, the Human Centric Lighting approach will be used in more projects: "This is a movement towards deeper values, an understanding of the importance of how people feel, the desire to provide them with comfort and safety. The demand for functionality and reliability is also being activated.
Another trend, if you can call it that, appeared one or two years ago: light design began to be considered an integral part of design. This trend is clearly visible in HoReCa. In Ukrainian institutions, competition in terms of design is quite high, even if we compare the situation with neighboring Poland. This is probably our advantage: we try to create beauty, and this is important to us. It is in our hearts, Ukrainians."
