Good ergonomics helps people to perform better. In an office environment, besides furniture, desk height, climate controls, windows, having the good light is paramount. Good Lighting, preferably in the form of a daylight system, has been scientifically proven to increase productivity.
Light expert Maarten Loerakker: “In a workstation analysis, ‘light’ generally doesn’t play a prominent role. Making sure that the lighting complies with the standard value is about as far as it goes. That’s a great shame, because there are many gains to be had. For the party purchasing the light and the staff working in it”.
Greater wellbeing and higher productivity
How can you use lighting to have people perform to best effect at work? In the Netherlands we generally work under striplights, which literally provide a mass of light. Many people complain about that amount of light, and justifiably so if we consider our visual system, our eyes and how it is all processed in our brains.
With natural light that fits in with our physiology and biology, we simply feel more comfortable. It just suits us. This translates directly into fewer complaints: reduced eye problems, tension headaches and concentration problems. And consequently, less sickness absence. Daylight systems, such as those designed by Loerakker, prevent irritation and discomfort, support the biorhythms of working people and contribute to higher productivity.
Clients’ experiences
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We have now found the best lighting for my very visually impaired wife that she can manage with. Not completely, but this is already a fantastic improvement.
Annemie and Jan Evers,
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Maarten has a deep understanding of the relationship between energy-efficient lighting, health and lighting design. In his presentations, he shares his insights and knows how to make them experienceable in his lighting studio. Good luck and enjoy the upcoming meeting!
Samuel de Vries,
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Maarten Loerakker is professionally good, the lighting workshop was excellent. Bonus was the presentation custom solutions Maarten showed. For me it was a successful afternoon.
Bert Klaaysen,
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It was an informative and useful meeting. Short, powerful and clear. I look forward to seeing the new products being developed.
Esther Canisius,
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What a wonderful solution!!! We are very happy with it! Even I notice how calm the light is and so wonder how much trouble you have from the fluorescent lights anyway (htz frequency?). Also the possibility of dimming is a godsend! I hope my assistant can continue working with this for a long time. Thanks for all the good care and the skillful and smooth assembly!
Marjo Voogt,
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Our dark workplaces with high ceilings have been turned into very pleasant light workplaces by Loerakker Led line light boxes. The light automatically adjusts to the light from outside and we can also adjust it ourselves. What’s nice about these lamps is that light shines upwards onto the ceiling and reflects back down. This indirect light is pleasant and not tiring for your eyes. We are extremely happy with them!
Mirjan Gelinck,
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We never realised how poorly lit our office space was. Until the fitters of Loerakker came to hang the luminaires: what an incredible difference. So much calmer for your eyes, so much more comfortable. Ideal when you’re behind a Mac all day.
Conny Schot, de bakker | creative consultants
Experiences of ergonomics
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When we have a project with HunterDouglas’s HeartFelt®ceiling, we strongly prefer Loerakker’s lighting because it always gives a clean result and they have a lighting solution for every ceiling variation.
Bovero,
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“Installing and programming the lighting was very easy. Especially adjusting it later to the user’s preferences is wireless, easier, and faster than expected!”
ByMJ,
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Maarten understands how light and lighting helps people work better. His Loerakker led line generates a cloud of light and does not give dis-comfort in terms of light emission. In addition, the series also focuses on the direct component. The design looks nice, the functionality is high and the price-performance is a very neat one.
Paul Settels,
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We have been working with Maarten for a long time and we really enjoy working together. Because in more than 70% of the offices we visit in response to complaints, lighting plays a
Kent Visser, Visser, consultants in ergonomics
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Three simple principles for a good lighting system
1. We would all love to be a in ‘cloud of light’
Like the natural daylight outside. Without strong cast shadows, just diffuse light all around. Daylight systems approximate this light in the best possible way. They get the best out of ourselves.
2. Eyes work by the grace of variety
When they have nothing to do, we fall asleep. So we supplement diffuse light with illuminated, direct light: we keep it lively, not dull. It makes it easier to stay focused on your work.
3. A good balance between hard and soft light: working with major contrasts is not comfortable
Your eyes need to work too hard and you become uncomfortable: dry eyes, tension headaches. So we work with a customised system for every specific room that, if needs be, changes with the amount of daylight that comes in.
Would you like to know what you can do now?
Get informed about the implications of correct (and incorrect!) Lighting for your people and their performance by light expert Loerakker.
Dim strong light sources
Do you suffer from dry eyes and tension headaches? We often blame the climate-control system of the office, or a bad night. However, this is just as easily caused by light that is too strong. Our eye automatically looks for the strongest light source and then returns to the screen. If we do this continuously, and we do because it is automatic, you build up plenty of tension in your eye muscles, those muscles strain other muscles in turn, and before you know it you have a pounding headache. So dim lights that are too strong.
Reduce contrasts
The same happens when the contrast in the room is too great. With direct light, such as striplights, there are many shadows. Your eyes work even harder, because they are constantly moving to bridge the differences.