LED applications have featured in previous articles on Flashlight.gr. This time we turn our attention to the solutions LEDs can offer in the more specialised field of retail, with the help of a few indicative lighting design case studies from Greece and abroad. In this article, we begin with the particularly interesting case of the lighting design and installation for the Aprivita stores in central Athens, carried out by DIAUS using products from TridonicActo.
The lighting that DIAUS designed for Aprivita’s flagship store in central Athens was so successful that it is now regarded as “best practice” and is gradually being adopted in the company’s other stores abroad.
Understanding the client’s needs
Apivita is one of the most established companies in the field of natural products, with a significant export business across the world (Europe, Asia, America). The particular nature of its products, which are renowned in Greece for their quality and natural ingredients (honey, propolis, royal jelly and so on), made the lighting design for the three-storey flagship store in central Athens a challenge. Because the products are so delicate, the lighting had to avoid exposing sensitive products and cosmetics to high temperatures. The lighting also had to show the products off in a striking yet natural way that would catch consumers’ attention. These particular requirements pointed to the use of the most advanced lighting technology: LEDs.
The design for this project was prepared by Dimitris Nasikas of DIAUS, while products from TridiconicAtco were used for the implementation.
The overall lighting concept succeeded in reflecting the company’s philosophy effectively. The general lighting provides soft, discreet and relaxing light in warm tones, while the products are highlighted with bright tones reminiscent of natural light.
The use of LEDs in the Aprivita project
There were many reasons why LEDs were considered the right choice for this project. First, whatever luminaires were used had to be invisible to visitors, or at least as inconspicuous as possible. In addition, there was not enough space on the shelves for temperature control systems, which, given the sensitivity of the products, called for particular care on the part of the designer. DIAUS therefore used P51-2W DL modules from TridiconicAtco, which could be installed directly into the wood of the shelf and which also offered ideal management of the temperatures generated.
Specialised solutions
In several areas of the store, special lighting solutions had to be devised to respond better to the particular conditions of the space. On the top floor, for example, the ceiling was very low because of the ventilation ducts, so to achieve uniform lighting with fluorescent lamps, EOS P212 40° DL chains from TridiconicAtco were used, with a wide light distribution (140°), neutral white T5 lamps and PCA T5 EXCEL lp control gear.
All the other 12V lamps chosen for the ceiling are handmade and fitted with TEone4all converters. In the display windows, two diffused-light fittings were created, controlled by DALI-3-RM-C. Red, green and blue T8 fluorescent lamps were also used, operating with PCA T8 EXCEL control gear.
Flexible and practical lighting applications
To manage the lighting of the space better, each light source or luminaire can be controlled individually. More specifically, DIAUS used a DALI x-touchbox, noted for its simplicity of use and flexibility, to control and programme the lighting and its changes. The installation is fully programmed, so there is no need for a member of staff to monitor it constantly. The lighting systems are synchronised to switch on and off automatically according to the store’s opening hours. Alternative programmes are also possible: for example, the display window luminaires follow a different “cycle/programme” on Saturday night (colour mixes and so on) from the one on Sunday night.
The Aprivita store shows how complex and particular retail spaces are when it comes to lighting design. At the same time, it highlights the importance of choosing the right luminaires in order to achieve striking results that meet the needs and style of retail clients.
