Pfarré Lighting Design was commissioned to develop a lighting master plan for all thirteen Globus department stores throughout Switzerland beginning with the flagship store in Zurich. These are the results...

With thirteen sites and a company history going back over 100 years, Globus is Switzerland's largest and most successful group of high-end department stores. As long ago as 1996 Gerd Pfarré was given a design brief aimed at improving the lighting situation and product presentation. In 2003, in the context of a complete redesign of the main branch in Zurich, Pfarré Lighting Design was commissioned to develop a lighting master plan for all the sites.

Analysis
When considering the new lighting concept, Pfarré started by making an assessment of the initial situation and a comprehensive analysis of the lighting requirements. In the context of the planned refurbishment, the aim was to develop an overall atmosphere providing a sense of direction for all branches with a high level of originality, so as to optimise the spatial, presentational and shopping experience. The factor of external appearance was included in the lighting design from the outset.

Under the old situation, clashing visual effects caused serious problems: the eye was overloaded with the diversity of products and contrasts were blurred. Too many bright and sometimes reflective surfaces, uncomfortable direct and reflected dazzle, annoying reflections and a disquieting ceiling design with too many different types of light fitting had adverse effects on the shopping experience, on shoppers' ability to concentrate on the products and, consequently, on the time customers spent in the shop. These are typical problems encountered very frequently in the retail trade.

Shop concept
The new Globus shop concept addressed these problems by using matt, sometimes deliberately dark surfaces on floors, walls and ceilings. Spaces were divided up generously and a clear space left between the partition walls and the ceiling. Clear-cut, minimalist use of forms and selection of materials for shelves, displays and counters support the presentation of products and create well-balanced individual vistas and panoramas within the sales floors. The colours and reflective properties of surfaces and materials show off products to far greater advantage - provided they are correctly lit.

According to Pfarré's observations, the need for a restful shopping experience is directly linked to the development of a relationship with the product. The 're-creation' and deepening of this relationship in a visually balanced environment was a key theme of the lighting plan.

Daylight
In department stores, lack of natural light is always a consequence of the fact that windows reduce the space available for presenting goods. In the past, shops have done without natural light. Pfarré Lighting Design's concept, on the other hand, shows that it is extremely important to involve natural light in the design. Providing a link with the outside world significantly improves the atmosphere and quality of the surroundings for customers and staff. Customers spend longer in the store. This opens up new possibilities in terms of lighting design, and the energy advantages are obvious. Another advantage is that opening stores up to the light of day - in the true sense - also projects the 'contents' to the outside world; an inviting sense of openness and activity can clearly be demonstrated. Last but not least, customers on the 5th floor now have a superb view of the city centre. Daylight is filtered through screens; in the evening these screens provide a restful background for the displays.

Artificial light - the "Lighting Superstructure"
The lighting concept is based on large light panels which are inserted in the supporting grids and coordinated with the shop design. The panels are accompanied by lighting channels down both longitudinal sides. The lighting channels are also designed to accommodate technical components, which usually spoil the appearance of a ceiling, such as air conditioning and ventilation units, sprinklers, loudspeakers, emergency lighting and surveillance cameras. The luminous ceiling is made especially to order. Samples of several variants were produced to determine the optimum relationship between grid dimensions, width of members and light transmission. Fluorescent light fittings laid parallel to the channel indirectly illuminate the main reflective surface above the ceiling grid via specially made, asymmetric reflectors. An acrylic diffuser mounted directly on the grid ensures proper and even light distribution.

technical information
Lighting Consultant: Pfarré Lighting Design
Lighting specified: Cardanic lighting fixtures, custom made indirect reflectors, fluorescents: RD-Leuchten AG; Martin Professional Imager projectors; custom made ceiling by Phonex Gema