Lighting is a crucial part of cabin design, and getting it right requires designers to balance artificial and natural sources, as well as form and function, finds Guy Bird.
When it comes to aircraft cabin lighting design there are a lot of variables to consider. Lighting fixtures not only have their own appearance, but the light they emit impacts the look of other objects within the space, as well as passengers’ moods. There are many functional requirements. Another piece of the puzzle is how natural lighting plays into the mix, a factor that can influence the design of window treatments. Form and function must be brought into balance.
“Lighting designers need to consider both qualitative and quantitative aspects of light,” says Elizabeth Harvey of Elizabeth Harvey Design. “The qualitative aspect is the aesthetic – ensuring there is a pleasing ambience within the space – while the quantitative aspect revolves around providing adequate light levels for whatever the purpose, with higher levels for tasks such as food preparation or reading, to lower levels to induce a relaxed mood for sleeping. Every aircraft I design follows these principles.”
Three kinds of lighting
Senior interior designer Agnès Guiu weighs in: “You have at least three kinds of lighting on board: that integrated in the architecture (mood lighting, ceiling dome lighting, spotlights, washlights in kick-strips, etc.); decorative lighting (chandeliers, wall and floor lamps, etc.) and natural light from the windows. A good lighting concept creates a subtle combination and sensitive complement between lighting sources, following the different moments of day and night to make your trip even more enjoyable.”
A great cabin design harnesses natural light adeptly. Guiu emphasises the impact: “There’s no life without light,” she says. “Its intensity provides vital information about day or night and it has a great impact on your biological cycles. Natural lighting is an essential part of the interior’s harmony. Think of the beauty of a ray of sun popping out of the windows, and how a view of the outside reduces the feeling of claustrophobia. Light and shadow enhance the volumes and magnify the interior design concept.”
Natural light patterns
However, there are challenges, as noted by Alexander Craker, a VIP aviation industry expert with more than 20 years of experience. “Natural light in a business jet is constantly changing with the aircraft’s altitude and direction,” he comments. “I try to use specific materials and finishes in close proximity to the natural light sources in a way that reflects this light, illuminates design details, enhances the passengers’ well-being, and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.”
Harvey points out another benefit: “If you maximise daylight penetration, you can also significantly reduce the use of artificial lighting, which means lower energy consumption and a minimised environmental footprint.”
While natural light cannot be harnessed, Harvey believes biophilic lighting can fill in some of the gaps. “I am particularly interested in human-centric lighting,” she says. “That is, evaluating the correlation between light and well-being, especially as it relates to sleep and wake cycles, cognitive performance and so on. Biophilic lighting can integrate natural elements into indoor environments, mimicking natural daylight patterns and incorporating dynamic changes in intensity and colour temperature throughout the day.”
Harnessing natural light can also involve careful thought around the design of window treatments. “If you take standard aircraft windows, they are quite small and we understand for technical reasons there is not much we can do about that,” reasons Guiu. “One of my ideas is to work on the window panels to provide the feeling of larger windows. A full-height translucent Lexan screen positioned behind the horizontal louvres and standard windows – homogeneously illuminated from bottom to top and on both right- and left-hand sides – provides the aspect of a full-height window and will totally change perceptions of space on board. Full-length, horizontal, dark-tinted Lexan with up-and-down wash lights can also create a futuristic aspect.”
Supporting flexibility
Meanwhile a recent project recounted by Craker illustrates how lighting can support the flexibility of a space. The design included a large, multi-use dining, conference, lounge and bar area. “This is a complicated space to illuminate as the lighting system has to be adaptable to support a wide range of activities,” explains Craker. “This includes providing sufficient brightness for reading and working, as well as softer lighting for rest and entertainment. Adjustable intensity and colour temperature were essential features, along with a CMS that allows passengers and crew to customise the lighting settings.”
As part of creating such an implementation, the work includes “developing user-friendly interfaces for individual light adjustments and preset scenes for different scenarios,” says Craker.
Craker acknowledges the importance of strong collaboration with other disciplines in meeting the design goals of a project, and in the effort to futureproof the lighting system. “Working with experts from the completion centre, CMS and lighting vendor will significantly enhance the lighting experience,” he says. “This includes using the latest smart lighting systems that respond to environmental changes, wireless controls and the use of innovative materials and designs to create unique lighting effects.”
Parallel worlds
How does business aviation compare to other industries in terms of lighting expertise? Craker is honest in his appraisal. “When you look at the work done in architecture, where you have firms dedicated only to lighting design, they are really at the forefront of what can be done to influence the environment, a person’s wellbeing and behaviours,” he says. “The automotive industry also has designers who are dedicated to nothing else other than lighting design, with enormous multimillion dollar resources. The yacht industry has the advantage of being able to leverage and incorporate technologies from both of those industries, where we are more constrained by the requirements of certification and as a result are further behind the curve. However, we still have access to the same simulation tools to understand how lighting can influence a space and in that respect it forces us to become more creative to achieve the same results with fewer resources.”
Art and science
Elizabeth Harvey would like to see lighting treated as both an art and a science. “I imagine a fusion of skill and approach, and lighting designers being employed to produce incredible lighting experiences with intelligent lighting schemes that harmonise with the cabin design, as well as with other lighting conditions and human factors,” she explains.
In summary, with creativity and certification-know-how, designers can transform business jet cabins through light. As Guiu concludes: “Dull lighting will make the most beautiful interior look dull, but beautiful lighting will make a dull interior look much better!”
This feature was written by Guy Bird and first published in the July 2024 edition of Business Jet Interiors International. Click here for the full version.
