Fernández Molina offices have been transformed through an advanced dynamic lighting system designed to mimic the solar cycle. This cutting-edge solution not only optimises artificial light to improve employee well-being, but also boosts productivity. The lighting designers responsible for the project chose to collaborate with us due to our comprehensive approach, which integrates circadian science, design, and aesthetics. By translating the proven health benefits of natural light into artificial environments, we deliver a positive impact on human health.
Fernández Molina is a Spanish construction company founded in 1969, and headquartered in Madrid. It is known for its commitment to quality and sustainability, principles it applies to every one of its projects, including its offices, which hold the LEED Platinum certification.
This commitment extends not only to its clients but also to its employees, prioritising the creation of workspaces that offer the best conditions. As such, the offices are designed to make the most of natural light and window shades are automated to prevent glare at certain times of the day.
To enhance employee well-being, boost productivity, and ensure compliance with the WELL Building Standard, Ximena Rubio, project’s lighting designer, selected us to upgrade the lighting system. Our expertise and advanced technology guaranteed both compliance with the required standards and the delivery of dynamic human-centred lighting. This solution not only fulfils Fernández Molina’s project requirements but also adds value by using our system to prevent disruptions to employees’ circadian rhythms during the workday.
Lighting Design with XAL Luminaires
The main challenge for Ximena Rubio was creating a lighting design to retrofit the lighting system with minimal changes in the existing installation. The new system was required to focus on human needs, but also energy efficiency, by maintaining sensors that adjust lighting based on natural light levels and occupancy.
XAL MITA and BETO luminaires were used to create the lighting layout, chosen for their low glare (UGR < 16 / 19), high colour rendering index (CRI > 80), and adjustable spectrum through colour temperature, ranging from warm white (2700K) to cool white (6500K).
Lighting System Optimisation with KUMUX
The KUMUX Platform was key to creating and automating lighting profiles year-round, using AI algorithms that take into account factors like location, time of day, building type, lighting design, the luminaires spectral characteristics, and compliance with lighting standards. By adjusting the lighting based on these elements, the system helps create a more comfortable and productive environment, reducing eye strain and improving work efficiency.
For the project, our team developed a series of customised lighting settings based on the luminaires’ characteristics, to comply with the WELL Building Standard and Lighting Research Center guidelines. By applying the latest science of light and well-being for work environments, we created a dynamic system that optimises lighting based on the time of day to improve both employee efficiency and well-being.
In the morning, the configurations incorporate a spectrum of light rich in blue wavelengths to maintain alertness and concentration, improving performance and reducing fatigue. In the afternoon and evening, exposure to blue light decreases to protect the natural circadian rhythm, easing the transition to rest and promoting better sleep. These configurations, which continuously adapt throughout the day all year, not only increase productivity, but also prioritise employee health, minimising the risks of sleep disorders and stress.
Integration into Inventronics Control System for Dynamic Light Automation
Lighting automation is achieved by daily updating of light profiles in the Inventronics control system, which adjusts colour temperature (CCT) and brightness based on geolocation and seasonal variations. These pre-optimised profiles automatically adapt to the specific light conditions of each day, ensuring a comfortable and energy-efficient visual environment.
The system uses a DALI Pro 2 IoT controller to manage these parameters dynamically, together with daylight sensors. However, users can also control lighting manually with the DALI Pro Control app. Conventional switches allow users to enable or disable the dynamic lighting automation, as well as presence sensors that turn off lights in unoccupied areas to reduce energy consumption.
What Do Employees Say?
Surveys were conducted after the system was installed to evaluate its effectiveness. The results showed that 84% of employees were satisfied with the KUMUX system and would recommend it. Additionally, 50% of employees reported reduced eye strain, even when working with screens, improved sleep quality, felt more energised and noticed an increase in productivity.
Fernández Molina has demonstrated how investing in employee well-being can result in tangible benefits. The collaboration and the use of advanced lighting technology have created a healthier and more productive work environment, reaffirming the company’s commitment to its employees and setting a new standard in workplace design and optimisation.
This case study highlights the importance of appropriate lighting and offers a model for other organisations seeking to improve their teams’ well-being.
