In the field of domestic architecture it seems that the usual way of understanding artificial light is to understand it as an element of support to natural light. We look for light on the facades to get the maximum benefit from sunlight and all interior spaces are left as something residual, for areas such as the traditional closed bathroom, rooms with little lighting and where rest is more important than daily activity. In this apartment we want to occupy and inhabit all the space, both the space closest to the facades and the interior spaces, always keeping in mind the essence of architecture that seeks natural light to create healthy spaces full of energy.
Thus, the most static rooms that need good natural lighting are distributed on the two facades of the building. The morning light invades the entire living-dining room and the afternoon light enters the bedroom and the study. In the central part, less grateful for natural light, artificial light becomes important in the service of the whole space. The interior space is defined by a central piece of furniture that organizes and distributes the house. This piece of furniture allows separating and unifying the space with two linear routes and a circular route while flexibilizing the spaces for greater or lesser privacy. In this sense, it is an element that allows different activities and is built from the integration of light in its architecture so that its function is even richer and more complex and offers greater possibilities to inhabit the space. The linearity of the space is perceived with the architectural and lighting elements, which mark the guideline of connection between the rooms located on the facades. The light is projected with Insolit’s technical-decorative luminaires and programmed to obtain different scenes that accompany the different routines of domestic life.
We always understand that the DALI system is used for large buildings such as hotels and offices or for spaces that require a change of scenes such as restaurants and bars or luxury residences. In this case DALI is applied in this 100m2 apartment with the intention that the same space can be inhabited in different ways creating general scenes without losing the possibility to flip the switch and individually control certain light points. In this way, the apartment has been equipped with pushbutton panels that control all the luminaires at the same time, allowing you to leave a specific lighting in each of them by pressing a single button. This allows you to get home and decide the scene depending on the use you will give to the space. For example, if the intention is to cook at the same time you want to use the dressing room the lighting will be general with more pronounced light intensities in the work area and cabinets.
On the other hand, if the intention is to host your guests, the lighting will be much dimmer and will focus on the passage areas, leaving the dining table well lit and elements of the house illuminated, such as a painting or the guest bathroom fixtures, generating contrasts and visual comfort. We can also activate the switches to control independent luminaires to facilitate a punctual use of the space. The quality of the light of the Insolit luminaires and the possibility of manufacturing customized luminaires for this project has allowed us to obtain an exclusive result. The Stick minimalist projector designed by Josep Lluís Xuclà in white and bronze finishes has been used.
As special luminaires, linear luminaires have been manufactured that combine a linear light, an integrated Stick spotlight and a kit of 6 spots to mark the floor with focal spots of light. These luminaires have been arranged and aligned with the central furniture of the project to emphasize the paths and to understand the whole space as unique.