Exposure to natural light during the daytime may enhance employee performance, but many work areas lack access to sufficient daylight. Rather than running the overhead electric lights at full power, consider adding user-controlled tasklights at workstations. We’ve rounded up the latest fixtures whose innovative technology and streamlined design takes desktop illumination to a new level.
Aerelight
The growing body of research around OLEDs (organic LEDs) is enabling the next-generation, ultra-flat light sources to be used in commercial products. Designed by a team of engineers from the Toronto-based OTI Lumionics, Aerelight is shaped by the thin and flexible nature of OLEDs. The luminaire offers warm light at 2900K and an integrated wireless charging pad. The frame, which is fabricated from a single piece of anodized aluminum, is responsive to touch for controlling on–off and dimming functions.
LoTek, Artemide
A painted steel base and aluminum head reflect the industrial inspiration of this desktop luminaire by Spanish designer Javier Mariscal. Designed in 2010, LoTek became available in the U.S. market this September. The 288-lumen fixture outputs light at 3000K and can be turned on and off and dimmed from a touch control on the fixture head that is fitted with an infrared proximity sensor. The fixture is 24 7/16” tall and has a maximum reach of 39 3/8”.
Polo, Marset
Barcelona, Spain–based designer Joan Gaspar expanded his Polo tasklight for Marset to include a wall-mounted version. The trim head of the 7W LED fixture outputs 520 lumens at 3000K, bathing workspaces in warm light. Its lacquered aluminum body and diffuser are offered in black and white colors.
Goldman, Flos
Designer Ron Gilad reimaged the iconic Emeralite banker's lamp for Flos with a streamlined frame and a Wall Street–inspired name. The minimalist Goldman’s aluminum construction is offered in the signature brass-finished frame and green-hued diffuser as well as with a black nickel–finished frame and a gray-tinted diffuser. The 8W fixture is fitted with 42 LEDs to offer 420 lumens at 2700K.
Tivedo, Luceplan
Two injection-molded polymer arms connect with a pantograph expansion joint to enhance the range of motion of the Tivedo luminaire by British industrial designer Sebastian Bergne for Luceplan. A swivel head is fitted with a conductive-thermoplastic heat sink that is molded to look like woven fabric and absorbs heat from the fixture’s integrated LEDs. Consuming 9W, the luminaire outputs 715 lumens at 3000K. It can be specified with either a table base or a fixing pin to integrate with a work surface.
Gira, Estiluz
Spanish lighting manufacturer Estiluz has edited and re-launched its 1978 Gira tasklight. The fixture’s painted, cast-iron base supports a chrome-plated stem and an anodized-aluminum shade that can be swiveled and tilted, respectively, to direct light onto the work surface.
