A working environment befitting an international brand
TheeBay Belgium offices in Brussels are home to teams who spend most of their day in front of a screen. In this type of space, lighting is not merely a decorative detail: it has a direct impact on concentration, eye strain and everyone’s comfort.
The specific requirements for office lighting
An office is not a shop. It is not about showcasing a product, but about enabling people to work eight hours a day in good conditions. The EN 12464-1 standard sets out the framework, and Rodalight uses it as a starting point, not as a ceiling.
| Area | Reference illuminance (EN 12464-1) | Glare (UGR) | Colour reproduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workstations, writing, screen | 500 lux | 19 at most | Minimum IRC 80 |
| Meeting rooms | 500 lux, ideally adjustable | 19 at most | Minimum IRC 80 |
| Reception | 300 lux | 22 at most | Minimum IRC 80 |
| Traffic flows, corridors | 100 lux | 28 at most | Minimum IRC 40 |
These values are regulatory minimums. On a project such as this, the challenge is to meet them whilst ensuring uniform lighting, without any shadows or glare on the screens, and whilst maintaining a pleasant atmosphere.
The Rodalight approach: starting with the applications
Before selecting any lighting fixtures, the Rodalight team analysed the layout of the workstations, the ceiling height, the levels of natural light and how each area is actually used on a day-to-day basis. The eBay Belgium offices comprise several different types of space, each with its own specific requirements: rather than a single solution replicated throughout, each area was designed according to its specific use.
The open-plan office
This is the busiest area, where numerous workstations are situated on the same floor. The main challenge isensuring consistency: every employee must enjoy the same level of comfort, whether they are seated near the windows or in the centre of the room. Controlling glare is even more critical here than elsewhere, as in an open-plan office, everyone inevitably has several light fittings within their field of vision.
Closed offices
More tranquil and personal, these spaces require lighting focused on the workstation, providing comfort during long periods spent in front of a screen. The aim is to illuminate only the relevant area, without turning the room into a uniformly white, featureless space.
Meeting rooms
Discussions around the table, screen presentations, video conferences: the meeting room changes its purpose several times a day. The lighting must illuminate faces properly – which is essential for video calls – without dazzling or washing out the content displayed on the screen.
Corridors and passageways
Whilst corridors do not require such high levels of illumination, they remain essential for wayfinding and ensuring visual continuity between spaces. A passageway that is too dark between two well-lit areas creates an uncomfortable contrast, which the project sought to avoid.
The result: lighting you hardly notice
Good office lighting is the sort you no longer notice. Teams work in stable, comfortable light, screens remain easy to read, and the spaces take on a greater sense of visual coherence.
- Visual comfort: reduced reflections and glare at workstations.
- Uniformity: consistent lighting across all sets.
- Consistency between spaces: each area is lit according to its purpose, without disrupting the overall atmosphere.
- Energy efficiency and reduced maintenance thanks to the long service life and high efficiency of LED light sources.
Rodalight expertise: lighting as a tool for work
This project serves as a reminder that office lighting should be judged by how it is used, not by looking at a catalogue. Choosing the right luminaire means, first and foremost, understanding how people work within the space. It is this insight, backed by over 50 years’ experience, that enables Rodalight to provide lighting that is just right, rather than simply expensive.
Are you fitting out or refurbishing business premises? Discover our expertise in lighting for offices, meeting rooms and co-working spaces, or explore our full range of commercial lighting solutions. For a comprehensive project, our bespoke consultancy service covers analysis, design and project management.
