A new world of work

Lighting

Optimum lighting results from the interplay of various factors – first and foremost, the right balance between daylight on the one hand and direct or indirect lighting on the other. One key parameter here is illuminance, measured in lux. In Germany, the Technical Rules for Workplaces issued by the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) define required lighting levels, with 500 lux being the minimum for most activities. However, recent studies suggest that twice this figure – 1000 lux – is necessary to obtain a pleasant atmosphere that will boost concentration. The BAuA has so far merely specified this level of illumination for particularly fine assembly work.

Numerous research projects have shown that not only brightness but also colour temperature has positive effects on employees. A 2023 study by a team from Switzerland and the UK, for example – albeit not representative – describes a correlation between higher colour temperature and increased cognitive performance.

New solutions through human-centric lighting

Ideal workplace lighting should above all take account of individual needs – and how these change in the course of the day. Conventional lighting systems quickly reach their limits here. This is where human-centric lighting (HCL) comes in: smart, precisely controllable lighting concepts make people their number one priority. Modern sensor technology, among other things, makes this possible.

Many companies have already tapped into the market for intelligent lighting solutions, launching innovative products designed specifically for office environments. ams OSRAM from Austria and Signify from the Netherlands are just two of the big players here. Their LEDs and technologies – spectral and ambient light sensors, for instance – create a pleasant atmosphere and adapt automatically to individual biorhythms. These features often entail integrating additional electronic components into the luminaires. Special polyurethane and silicone electro casting resins from Wevo provide solutions to do this. Depending on the requirements, these materials offer targeted protection against environmental influences, for example, or efficient heat dissipation.

Optimised indoor air for offices

Covid-19 prompted a far greater awareness of air quality in office environments. The importance of this goes beyond just viral aerosols, as figures from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show: indoor air pollution levels can be two to five times higher than those outdoors.

Well-known manufacturers like Panasonic and Honeywell sell innovative solutions to improve air quality. These range from mobile air filters and ceiling-mounted systems to upgrade options for existing air conditioning equipment.

The Finnish Naava Group has come up with sensor-controlled, AI-driven green walls that act as built-in air purifiers and humidifiers. Lighting and watering of the plants are fully automated. Furthermore, various indoor air parameters are continuously monitored and combined with information gathered from weather satellites to ensure an optimum indoor climate. An app allows the plants’ condition to be observed and adjustments made accordingly.

Adaptive sound masking for workplace acoustics

Sound masking in the workplace ensures that conversations in the immediate vicinity remain intelligible while those farther away become increasingly difficult to understand – and hence less distracting. Adaptive sound masking goes a step further: modern sensors and digital signal processing automatically adapt background noise to the current soundscape. The scores of electronic components that are needed for such technologies must be reliably protected against environmental influences, mechanically stabilised and the thermal load reduced – all tasks performed by Wevo’s customised potting compounds, adhesives and sealants.

As part of a non-representative study by Eindhoven University of Technology, an adaptive sound masking system was installed at two organisations for a period of two months without the employees concerned being informed about it. The findings of the before-and-after surveys showed clear benefits: raising the background noise level by between 10 and 13 dB(A) to around 42 dB(A) significantly reduced distraction due to intelligible speech. Noise-cancelling headphones, for example, were resorted to less frequently as a result. Positive effects were additionally observed when it came to short-term mental health aspects.

However, stress is caused not only by working environments that are too noisy but also by ones that are too quiet. This was proven by a study conducted at the University of Arizona. “Everybody knows that loud noise is stressful. But what was new about this is that with even low levels of sound – less than 50 decibels – the stress response is higher”, explains Esther Sternberg, the study’s co-author and Director of the Institute on Place, Wellbeing & Performance. The ideal noise level for focused work is therefore around 50 decibels – comparable to birdsong or moderate rain.

Temperature

When it comes to thermal indoor climate – comprised of temperature, humidity, air velocity and radiant heat – the BAuA has established that deviations from optimal conditions can lead to consequences such as discomfort, reduced performance or health issues. A recent study from Switzerland further confirms that the risk of accidents increases significantly at extreme temperatures above 30 °C. As a result, intelligent climate control solutions are evolving from mere comfort factors into strategic tools for employers.

At the same time, the integration of smart features like weather-responsive adjustments is emerging as one of the key drivers of progress in A/C technology. Draught-free air conditioning systems are similarly gaining in importance. Energy efficiency and user comfort further add to their attractiveness for both businesses and consumers. Wevo materials based on polyurethane, epoxy and silicone contribute decisively to the high durability of these sensitive components, for instance with their heat-conducting properties and their ability to dampen mechanical stresses such as vibration or shocks effectively.

Daikin Industries, Ltd., based in Osaka (Japan), is a major player in the global HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) market. The company achieved record turnover of 28 billion euros in the 2023 financial year. This was partly due to sales figures in the field of energy-efficient cooling solutions for commercial buildings, specifically offices, hotels and retail properties. Bosch Thermotechnology and Mitsubishi Electric are other important manufacturers in this segment.