Human centric lighting, smart software and multi-award winning hardware with an eye-catching design; this is the result of the partnership between Eelectron and Panzeri. With the scientific support of the Politecnico di Milano.
We talk about this to Federico Panzeri, the company’s general sales manager.
Light and well-being. They are very closely connected. How does light influence people?
We see a close correlation between natural and artificial light and people. I made the distinction between natural and artificial because we, as a company, deal with artificial light, but the concept can be extended to any area. Light influences a person’s well-being. In the workplace, we study the most practical layout to ensure workstations are near the windows. For the last ten years we have been designing with LEDs that have made a positive difference. Human centric lighting is now an established concept with dynamic white light and, so the possibility of changing the colour temperature of the light according to daily parameters and latitude, contributes towards increasing the well-being of the person who is always at the centre of the design, whatever the space, whether at home, in a hotel or the office.
Since when have you taken an approach based on well-being?
As far as the world of hospitality is concerned, it started with our collaboration with the Matteo Thun studio, so about two years ago. It then culminated in the layout of the Grand Hotel Elle Decor at its fourth edition, which was held in October at Palazzo Morando in Milan. Matteo Thun, from South Tyrol, comes from a cultural context that is very much focused on well-being and personal care which he has also transferred to the light fixtures he has designed for us.
While for the office world, on the other hand, it is linked to the OTOMO project, developed with Eelectron, which has given us the opportunity to rethink some of our products by revamping them accordingly.
How did the partnership with Eelectron come about?
We were already in touch with the company and had already been working on some shared ideas on IoT. We were able to continue them and develop the OTOMO project thanks to the participation in a European funding call for which we also involved the Politecnico di Milano which supported us from a scientific point of view and validated our ideas.
Tell us about the OTOMO project.
The idea was to transform a light, our award-winning Jackie design, and adapt it to IoT technology but without detracting from its design. It was quite a challenge to integrate lots of technology in a pre-existing object that was not conceived for this purpose. Thanks to Eelectron’s experience, we successfully developed a sensor device measuring just a few centimetres which was fitted into an aluminium die cast without modifying the original dimensions of our product.
Can all the lights be turned into smart objects?
Obviously, it is easier with objects that don’t have a very distinctive design or lights like Giano; the latter was developed for the OTOMO project and already has space for housing the sensors. It was much harder with a table lamp like Jackie.
Are you planning on expanding the system to other light fixtures?
The product can be extended to a wide range of light fixtures. But we are currently limiting the offer to a table lamp, Jackie and a pendulum light, Giano, which are ideal for meeting office lighting requirements.
What is OTOMO’s strength? The breadth of its applications.
How does the market view an office automation system like OTOMO and who is it aimed at?
OTOMO is a multi-function system, an important one-of-a-kind innovation with a great strength: the breadth of its applications. In this initial stage, we have seen considerable interest from forward-thinking business owners who understand its scope. The system can bring benefits not only in energy consumption but also in storing data and information which can be used to improve the management of workplaces.
Another group of interesting stakeholders are specialised resellers because they realise that having access to a unique system that can give them an edge in the market.
What are the current scenarios for office lighting?
The stigma of an environment is irrelevant now: there are offices that look like hotel lobbies or lounge areas where you can comfortably work on armchairs and sofas. The proposal ranges from decorative, for reception areas in particular, to architectural. We are in a privileged position to take on this market because we have a technical product that is, however, easy to understand and supported by the decorative line that is part of our corporate tradition.
Warm or cold light. What is the trend?
Generally speaking, the choice of the average colour temperature depends on a geographical factor. Northern countries prefer warm light and the closer you get to the equator, the choice is for colder temperatures. In recent years, however, there has been a migration to warmer colour temperatures both in the residential and tertiary sectors. To give you an example, not long ago a temperature of 2700° Kelvin was standard for homes whereas now it is around 2200°.
This applies to offices as well. In the past, a temperature of 4000° to 4500° Kelvin was standard whereas now this has dropped to 3500°. There is still a clear-cut distinction between homes and offices where you mainly work with colder light which, according to scientific studies, is the best for boosting concentration.
Office. Up to 30% savings on light?
Download full article for free
A Milano Politecnico research tells you how.
