When designing a wellness spa, seen by EGOLUCE, lighting plays a fundamental role
Light has a major influence on the human mind and mood, as several studies on Human Centric Light have shown. Lighting also has an important impact on the perception of an environment: a softly lighted space is ideal for more relaxing activities, while a brightly illuminated space is perfect for more dynamic activities.
Massage and relax areas are generally poorly illuminated: the natural light is completely obscured to provide customers with the privacy they need to feel comfortable. The ideal light for these areas is soft, suffused and often indirect to stimulate feelings of relaxation and wellbeing in customers. The recommended colour temperature is therefore very warm, between 2000K and 3000K, but even more suitable would be the use of dimmable systems to adjust brightness according to the needs.
On the contrary, in the areas used for the beauty treatments it is necessary to have a high quantity of light with a cold colour temperature, between 3000K and 4000K. In this case, the lighting is functional and it is essential to have an optimal vision, so the light sources used must also have an appropriate colour rendering index (CRI>90). In these spaces it is preferable to use directional luminaires with direct light such as spots with a narrow beam angle and lenses to reduce spurious light. The attention paid to the lighting design of swimming pools and sensory showers is always subordinate to the choice of high-performance and scenic luminaires with a high IP rating. For the products to be inserted in humid environments the most suitable material is AISI 316L stainless steel, as it is very resistant to chlorides. Swimming pools can be illuminated by LED spotlights positioned along the edge of the pool to enhance their shape and design, or it is possible to enhance the perimeter with continuous LED bars recessed in the pavement.
Another solution is to use underwater light sources placed inside the pool to create a suggestive effect of diffused light in the water. Coloured lighting using RGB spotlights can also be used to take advantage of the benefits of colour therapy: coloured lights have extraordinary health benefits for the body and mind. The RGB lighting system can be controlled remotely by a home automation system to create extraordinary plays of light in a simple and direct way.
In modern spas, the tepidarium works as a rest area at the end of a treatment, allowing the body to gradually adjust to a lower temperature and rehydrate with herbal teas and drinks. The pleasant temperature in the tepidarium helps to relax the muscles and release tension, especially when equipped with heated benches or ergonomic chaises longues. To increase the feeling of relaxation, soft, indirect lighting is also recommended in this space.
A good lighting design for outdoor spaces is essential to create an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere but the function of light is also to emphasise particular architectural details to
make the space more attractive. Light can enhance volumes and give new life to even the simplest architectural elements such as stairs, walkways, balustrades and handrails. Light becomes an architectural element itself, but without neglecting its emotional character.
