Sustainable lighting: a comprehensive guide for businesses and private spaces

Sustainable Lighting

A comprehensive guide for businesses and private spaces

Sustainable lighting does not begin with the luminaire. It begins with the question of how much light a space truly needs and why. Planning determines whether light works in the long term, remains atmospheric, and conserves resources.

Truly sustainable lighting concepts emerge from the interplay of actual demand, daylight, control systems, and durable solutions. Efficiency alone is not enough—the decisive factor is the mindset behind the concept.

Actual demand instead of over-dimensioning
Daylight as the primary resource
Scenes and time-based control for everyday use
Durable, repairable systems
Reuse and upcycling instead of replacement
Fewer luminaires, placed clearly and precisely
Our approach: Sustainable lighting means designing spaces that function reliably over time—technically, atmospherically, and culturally.
 
 
 
 
case-study-sustainable-lightg-Impact-Hub-Berlin-CRCLR-House_Studio-DeSchutter-Lighting_Studio-Bowie_003_web.jpg
case-study-sustainable-lightg-Impact-Hub-Berlin-CRCLR-House_Studio-DeSchutter-Lighting_Studio-Bowie_003_web.jpg
case-study-sustainable-lightg-Impact-Hub-Berlin-CRCLR-House_Studio-DeSchutter-Lighting_Studio-Bowie_003_web.jpg
case-study-sustainable-lightg-Impact-Hub-Berlin-CRCLR-House_Studio-DeSchutter-Lighting_Studio-Bowie_003_web.jpg
case-study-sustainable-lightg-Impact-Hub-Berlin-CRCLR-House_Studio-DeSchutter-Lighting_Studio-Bowie_003_web.jpg
 
Case Study

Impact Hub Berlin at CRCLR House

Project Type: Co-working space with sustainable and circular lighting
Realised: 2022 · Project size: 1,800 m²
Client: Impact Hub Berlin and TRNSFRM eG
Architecture: LXSY Architekten
Project phases: LPH 1–8
Scope: architectural & emergency lighting, daylight studies, and bespoke luminaire development
Photos: Studio Bowie

At Impact Hub Berlin in the CRCLR House, sustainable construction meets a clear architectural attitude. The project is part of a Europe-wide network of co-working spaces that deliberately create environments for social, ecological, and sustainability-driven companies. Accordingly, both architecture and lighting design consistently followed a shared guiding principle: circular, resource-efficient, and designed for long-term use.

The industrial character of the former warehouse of the Kindl Brewery was deliberately preserved. Open co-working areas, private offices, meeting rooms, lounges, and a café form a diverse working landscape. Workshops and maker labs expand the program with spaces for exchange, production, and collaborative work. The lighting design supports this diversity without fragmenting it visually.

A central element of the concept was holistic daylight and artificial lighting planning. Studio De Schutter carried out extensive daylight studies that influenced not only the placement of luminaires but also the spatial organization. Where daylight is insufficient, artificial lighting complements it in a targeted and energy-efficient way. The results of these analyses formed the basis for switching groups and time-based control systems.

Circular design and cradle-to-cradle as the planning foundation
Upcycling and reuse of existing luminaires
Approximately 70% recycled, upcycled, or sustainable materials
Modular “light hacks” made from standard components
Mock-ups to optimize glare and energy consumption
E27 and E14 sockets as a flexible system

The circular approach required a more intensive planning process than usual. Many luminaires originated from remaining stock, previous projects, or were deliberately modified. One example is the large, round surface-mounted luminaires on the mezzanine level, which were originally designed as recessed luminaires and were given a second life here. Despite this approach, standards, certifications, and visual quality were consistently maintained.

For the work areas, we developed bespoke lighting solutions using reclaimed wood and standard components. Direct and indirect light components ensure uniform, glare-free working conditions. Textile coverings and tests with different materials helped reduce UGR values while creating a warm, calm atmosphere.

Impact Hub Berlin at the CRCLR House demonstrates that sustainable lighting design is not a compromise. On the contrary: clear principles, creative solutions, and a holistic perspective create design freedom. The project is an example of how circular lighting concepts can already be implemented today—cost-aware, functional, and with a strong spatial identity.

 
Case Study

Eisenbahnstraße – attic conversion in Berlin Kreuzberg

Project type: Residential · Realised: 2021
Architecture: LXSY Architekten · Size: 250 m²

The attic conversion follows the principle of thinking light and architecture as one. The goal was to create a flexible, residential atmosphere with a clear design language.

Different light sources, precisely placed spotlights, and a ring-shaped pendant luminaire create depth, calmness, and flexibility of use—even with changing furniture layouts.

Dim-to-warm solutions in the bathroom and indirect lighting elements in the living area create a calm, high-quality lighting atmosphere.

Contact us.
If you have a project in mind or are already planning something concrete, we support you from the initial idea through to implementation. Together, we develop sustainable, functional, and atmospheric lighting concepts.

 
220422_DG-EISENBAHNSTRASSE_118 (1).jpg
220422_DG-EISENBAHNSTRASSE_118 (1).jpg
 
 
 
 
more news
Sabine De Schutter

Founded in Berlin in 2015 by Belgian born Sabine De Schutter, Studio De Schutter reflects the strong belief that architectural lighting design is much more than just lighting up the built environment.

As independent lighting designers, the studio's focus is on user-centred design, because design is about creating meaningful spaces that positively affect people's lives. Studio De Schutter work focuses on creative lighting for working spaces, custom fixtures for heritage buildings to workshops and installations for public space.The studio's motto = #creativityisourcurrency

Sabine teaches at the HPI d.school, Hochschule Wismar, is an IALD member and the ambassador for Women in Lightingin Germany.

Studio De Schutter wurde 2015 von der in Belgien geborenen Sabine De Schutter (*1984) in Berlin gegründet. Die in Berlin lebende Designerin studierte Innenarchitektur in Antwerpen und Barcelona, hat einen zweiten Master-Abschluss in architektonischem Lichtdesign (HS Wismar) und studierte Design Thinking an der HPI d.school in Potsdam.

Das Studio De Schutter zeigt, dass es beim architektonischen Lichtdesign darum geht, Wahrnehmung zu formen und Erfahrungen zu schaffen. Für Studio De Schutter geht es beim Lichtdesign darum, eindrucksvolle Umgebungen zu schaffen, die das Leben der Menschen positiv beeinflussen. Der Benutzer steht im Mittelpunkt ihres Ansatzes und deshalb lassen sie und ihr Team sich nicht durch konventionelle Beleuchtungsstandards einschränken. Sie arbeiten eng mit ihren Kunden zusammen, um die Vision des Projekts und die Nutzerbedürfnisse zu verstehen und sie mit Licht zu akzentuieren. Das Studio De Schutter hat kreative Lichtlösungen für Arbeitsumgebungen, Lichtkunstinstallationen und kundenspezifische Leuchten in seinem Portfolio. Heute ist es ein vierköpfiges Team von internationalen Power-Frauen, die sich alle leidenschaftlich damit, wie Licht den Raum, die Erfahrungen und Emotionen formt, beschäftigt.

Sabine De Schutter lehrt an der Hochschule Wismar und ist Botschafterin für Women in Lighting (https://womeninlighting.com) in Deutschland.

https://www.studiodeschutter.com
Next
Next

How lighting makes art visible – without overpowering it