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From Workplace Metrics to Workplace Mood: How Light Shapes Vibrancy
The office is no longer just a place to work; it’s a destination where employees come for the experience – how the space makes them feel, how it supports collaboration, and how it connects them to colleagues and culture. Yet too many workplaces still rely on traditional metrics – like occupancy or utilisation – that tell us how many people use a space, but not how it feels when they’re there. As hybrid work reshapes expectations, workplaces must evolve from simply providing desks to crafting experiences. And increasingly, lighting is emerging as a powerful tool in defining that experience. From Counting People to Understanding Atmosphere Workplace success has long been measured through familiar metrics: occupancy levels, utilisation rates, footfall. Useful, but limited. They quantify presence, not atmosphere. Hybrid working has exposed this gap. Offices may be full mid-week and quiet at the edges. Some areas buzz with energy while others feel flat – even when every desk is occupied. This disconnect matters. Research shows that 78% of employees say access to natural light improves their overall happiness and wellbeing, with clear links to motivation, satisfaction, and performance. How a space feels can be just as influential as how often it is used. This is where vibrancy becomes essential. Vibrancy is not about busyness alone. It is the combined effect of energy, comfort, movement, and social presence. A vibrant workspace captures the sense of connection many employees miss when working remotely, while still supporting focus, wellbeing, and productivity. No Single Metric: A Principles-Led Approach to Vibrancy Unlike acoustics or illuminance levels in lighting design, vibrancy has no universal standard. It sits between data and perception. Rather than limiting its value, this invites a principles-led approach. A vibrancy-led workplace considers factors such as: Activity levels and patterns of presence Noise that feels lively, not disruptive Lighting that is dynamic, comfortable, and supportive A mix of spaces for different work modes Team proximity and interaction Employee sentiment and lived experience Lighting contributes to nearly all of these factors. It shapes behaviour and perception, and can also help reveal how spaces are actually used. In this way, lighting becomes both a design tool and a source of insight. When supported by smart lighting sensors such as Organic Response, data can help organisations better understand patterns of movement, presence, and interaction – forming the basis of a more nuanced view of vibrancy. The Psychology of Light: A Silent Mood Setter Lighting in the workplace subtly influences how people feel and behave – often without conscious awareness. Employees in well-daylit environments report fewer headaches, less eyestrain, and lower levels of drowsiness than those in poorly lit spaces. Research into Fagerhult’s Double Dynamic Lighting shows that lighting designed to follow natural daylight rhythms can positively influence: Mood and motivation Concentration Work engagement Visual comfort Perceived wellbeing These effects operate on both biological and psychological levels. Cooler, brighter light supports alertness and focus, while warmer tones help reduce tension and encourage social interaction. Direction, contrast, and intensity all shape whether a space feels energising, calm, or somewhere in between. What Vibrancy Looks Like in Practice Vibrancy is not achieved through uniform brightness or one-size-fits-all solutions. It is created through variation, layering, and intentional contrast. Circulation areas feel bright and easy to navigate, encouraging movement Focus spaces are evenly lit and visually calm, supporting sustained concentration Collaboration zones use warmer tones and softer contrasts to support conversation Social spaces glow rather than glare, drawing people in without overstimulation Lighting also changes throughout the day. Morning light feels crisp and activating, helping people transition into focused work. As the day progresses, lighting becomes more balanced and relaxed, responding to shifts in energy, posture, and interaction. Even quieter moments feel purposeful rather than empty. When thoughtfully designed, vibrancy becomes visible – not as noise or clutter, but as rhythm, warmth, and presence. Designed for Change: Flexibility in Hybrid Work Hybrid work has made movement constant. Teams shift, spaces evolve, and office rhythms change from day to day. Vibrancy is not static – it adapts with the people using the space. Lighting must be just as flexible. With Organic Response, lighting also functions as an intelligent sensor network, providing insight into occupancy, movement, and patterns of use, responding automatically to occupancy, daylight, and patterns of activity. Lighting as a Strategic Tool In a hybrid context, employees compare the office not only to other workplaces, but to the comfort and control of working from home. Lighting plays a key role in making the office feel equally welcoming and adaptable. Spaces that offer visual comfort, variation, and subtle responsiveness feel more human and less institutional. Over time, lighting becomes part of the workplace identity – reinforcing culture, signalling intent, and shaping how people experience being together. When done well, lighting transforms the office from a functional necessity into a place people actively choose. Looking Ahead Towards a Vibrancy Mindset The idea of vibrancy is moving towards a more data-informed, experience-led approach: Human-centric lighting supporting mood, comfort, and belonging Multi-sensory design where lighting works alongside acoustics and materials Intelligent controls responding in real time to activity and daylight Sensor data revealing patterns of movement and interaction Workplace strategies that prioritise experience alongside efficiency In this future, lighting does more than shape atmosphere. It helps organisations understand, manage, and continuously improve it. Creating Workplaces That Truly Support People As organisations rethink how they define workplace success, lighting offers a powerful way to move beyond metrics and towards mood. By designing for vibrancy – not just utilisation – workplaces can become environments that feel alive, supportive, and genuinely human. Want to learn more about how our lighting could enhance the vibrancy of your workplace? Speak to us.
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The Crucial Role of Lighting in Stimulating Workplaces
A recent WORKTECH Academy report challenged the industry to think more deeply about how workplaces can inspire creativity, innovation, and wellbeing. With hybrid working now the norm, many organisations are re-examining how their offices can be an attractive and productive space. This raises a key question: what design considerations help create stimulating workplaces – and how can lighting play a central role? Experts Matthew Thorpe, Architecture & Design Team Manager at Fagerhult, and Jean Hewitt, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at Buro Happold, share their insights. From Functionality to Experience Offices are often designed to meet basic functionality, such as providing sufficient lighting for reading, maintaining uniform brightness across the floor plate, and ensuring compliance with regulations. While practical, this can overlook the emotional and creative potential of a workspace. As Matthew explains: “The best offices are always well considered. The lighting accentuates the finishes, enhances the architecture, and evokes a sense of ambience on entering. That’s when a workplace feels exciting.” Lighting influences not only how a space looks, but also how it feels – whether cosy, energising, calm, or collaborative. When coordinated with architecture, interior design, and acoustics, lighting transforms the office from a space where employees feel obligated to be into a space they want to be. Comfort and Inclusion While lighting can stimulate creativity, it must also support comfort and wellbeing. Jean notes that people experience lighting differently depending on factors such as neurodiversity, age, or health conditions. “Neurodiversity, age, and health conditions – such as autism, ADHD, or the menopause – can all create hypersensitivity to lighting,” she explains. “So, while we want workplaces that are engaging, it’s important to balance that with comfort. Stimulating doesn’t mean overwhelming.” Her work with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) demonstrates how adjustability can make a workplace more inclusive. In their London office, clusters of four desks were fitted with shared overhead lights that could be adjusted for brightness and colour temperature. At the individual level, each person also had a desk lamp with the same controls, allowing them to fine-tune their own space. “For some, it wasn’t the brightness but the whiteness of the light that was difficult. Having this two-layered control – both at the cluster and desk levels – was transformative. People even preferred coming into the office because the lighting was better than at home.” Personal control and thoughtful design enable workplaces to cater to a wide range of needs, ensuring everyone feels empowered to thrive. Lighting as a Design Catalyst Lighting’s impact goes far beyond visual clarity. It shapes how people interact with space, how they feel during the day, and how they collaborate. Matthew calls lighting a catalyst for atmosphere: “Natural light is the best – dynamic and changing throughout the day. If we can bring elements of that indoors, such as integrating Human Centric Lighting (HCL), offices feel more invigorating and natural.” Jean adds: “We’ve seen brilliant people hindered by the wrong lighting. Adjustable, high-quality light not only supports focus and creativity, but it also ensures everyone can participate fully.” Design Considerations for Stimulating Workplaces There are many ways to approach lighting design to achieve the desired impact, these include: Layered lighting: Combining ambient, task, and accent lighting creates depth and variety. Matthew notes: “By layering light and giving people options, you make a workplace more visually interesting without major structural changes.” Zoning with light: Adjusting brightness and tone distinguishes areas for focus, collaboration, or relaxation. Human-centric lighting: Mirroring natural rhythms supports alertness and wellbeing. Personal control: Through smart systems, desk lamps, or dimmers, individuals can fine-tune lighting for comfort and satisfaction. Jean highlights: “The perception of what the ‘majority’ need is a myth. Many people benefit from adjusting their lighting. It’s not niche – most people appreciate it.” Integration with design: Lighting should complement architecture, finishes, and acoustics to create a coherent environment. These strategies enhance stimulation while supporting inclusivity, offering tangible benefits for both employees and organisations. The Workplace of Tomorrow Looking ahead, flexibility will remain a key driver. Offices must adapt to changing demands, and hybrid working patterns. Adjustable, modular, and sustainable systems – such as Control Track Versa – will play a central role in this shift. Matthew stresses the importance of sustainability and personal control: “We’re competing with home offices now, where people have control over their light and often sit near a window. Offices need to offer the same – if not better.” Jean adds: “After the initial wow factor of a big office space, what really matters is whether people feel comfortable. Lighting that can be fine-tuned to personal needs helps people flourish.” Lighting is Central to Stimulating Workplaces When integrated thoughtfully, lighting shapes atmosphere, supports wellbeing, and enables creativity. It is both a design catalyst and an inclusion tool, helping organisations create offices that people want to visit. As Matthew concludes: “Lighting isn’t just about enabling people to see – it’s about enabling them to thrive.” With lighting at the heart of design, workplaces can move beyond functionality and become spaces that energise, connect, and inspire.
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