Light defines how spaces feel long before architecture, materials or furniture are consciously perceived. It shapes orientation, atmosphere and identity. In 2026, good lighting is not about more technology, but about clearer principles. The following ten fundamentals form a solid foundation for meaningful, long-lasting lighting design.

Museum lighting always operates in the tension between atmosphere, conservation, and visitor guidance. Light determines how intensely exhibits are experienced, how historical spaces are perceived, and how easily visitors can orient themselves. For us, museum lighting means allowing architecture, the collection, and the curatorial idea to merge into a shared lighting narrative.

Gallery lighting determines whether art is merely visible – or truly moving. Light guides the gaze, shapes spaces, and influences how long people linger in front of a work. For us, gallery lighting means connecting architecture, curation, and perception in a way that creates an independent visual narrative.

As lighting designers based in Berlin and Antwerp, we create concepts that go far beyond compliance. Our mission is to design workplaces that enhance productivity, support health, and express a company’s identity.

💡 Lighting influences far more than visibility. It shapes perception, regulates the circadian rhythm, and contributes significantly to wellbeing. While regulations define minimum requirements, in practice, thoughtful lighting design can boost motivation, creativity, and health.

Light is far more than mere function. It is atmosphere, identity, and a decisive factor for well-being and health. Anyone who wants to work with focus and comfort in an office, workshop, or laboratory often asks the question: how many lux are actually needed? In this article, we provide an overview of the official reference values, place them in a planning context, and show why tailored lighting concepts go far beyond rigid numbers.

When we talk about workplaces, many people immediately think of ergonomic chairs, flexible working hours, or digital tools. But one thing is often underestimated: lighting. It's no coincidence that the Workplace Ordinance sets such clear guidelines for lighting. After all, light determines how we perceive spaces, how focused we are at work—and how comfortable we feel.

The night is not an empty black. It is a habitat, a guide, and a shelter for countless species, including bats. But where artificial light dominates the darkness, their behavior changes. Hunting routes disappear, roosts are abandoned, and entire populations come under pressure.

How is atmosphere created in the office – and why does indirect light play the leading role? At Studio De Schutter in Berlin, we see light not just as function but as the silent designer of identity and well-being. Indirect lighting lets spaces breathe, enhances focus, and makes even open offices feel truly comfortable.