Lights are an essential part of any interior design. They not only add to the aesthetics of the space but are also essential in creating a pleasant and functional environment. If you're looking for a unique design that uses lighting to its fullest, integrating lights into a beam or blade ceiling could be the perfect solution.
Over the years of supplying beam or blade ceilings such as MAXI BEAM, ALUCLICK, WAVE BLADES or WAFFLEBLADES, SUPAWOOD has seen many ways of integrating lighting into beam and blade ceilings, which can be summarised into the following categories:
- Linear lights set between beams (aligned to face).
- Linear lights behind beam or blade at rear.
- Round or drum lights between the beams or blades.
- Light fittings recessed into the beams.
- Continuous linear LED strips integrated into the beams.
- Lights or skylights above an open beam ceiling with the light filtering through the ceiling.
Let’s look at each of these in more detail:
1. Linear lights set between beams (aligned to face)
This is a simple solution that involves suspending the lights between the beams. This simply requires ensuring it is a (relatively) low temperature light such as an LED and either matches the fitting size to the beam depth and gap spacing or utilises brackets to support it.
How can SUPAWOOD help? Besides supplying MAXI BEAM or ALUCLICK beams, this option does not require any customisation to the beams themselves.
Namaste Lounge Bar & Restaurant, North London UK
2. Linear lights behind beam or blade at rear
This is even simpler with the lights fitted into the plasterboard or acoustic backing behind the beam or blade ceiling, which would be recessed using the standard flanged detail of the fitting. Where the surface is an acoustic backing, such as SUPAWOOD's black SUPABAB backing, it is recommended that the fitting should be powdercoated black to ensure it doesn’t distract from the feature ceiling.
Note that this option will require consideration on the possible impact on lumination levels if the light cone of the fittings is partially blocked by the beams or blades. If the lighting is required for tasks or specific levels for compliance, involve a lighting designer in the design process.
How can SUPAWOOD help? Besides supplying MAXI BEAM or ALUCLICK beams, this option does not require any customisation to the beams themselves.
Macquarie University International College, North Ryde NSW
3. Round or drum lights between the beams or blades
In this option, lights are fitted to the plasterboard or acoustic backing behind the beam or blade ceiling or if it is an open ceiling, are suspended between the beams. When the bottom edge of the fitting is above the level of the blade or beam, this will create areas of focus on the beams that produce an interesting effect.
How can SUPAWOOD help? Besides supplying MAXI BEAM, ALUCLICK, WAVE BLADES or WAFFLE BLADES, this option does not require any customisation to the beams or blades themselves. SUPAWOOD can supply Black MDF plates for the light fittings to be fixed to where required.
Water Corporation HQ, Balcatta WA
4. Light fittings recessed into the beams
SUPAWOOD’s MAXI BEAMS are thick enough to have light fittings integrated into them. In this option, Supawood supplies beams with custom light cut-outs or notches to suit the desired light fittings.
How can SUPAWOOD help? SUPAWOOD can supply custom cutouts in MAXI BEAMs to suit your desired light fitting.
ANZ Sylvia Park, Auckland NZ
5. Continuous linear LED strips integrated into the beams
In addition, MAXI BEAMs can have continuous linear LED strip lighting integrated into the beams. This can even be curved as can be seen below in the IGA Romeo project.
How can SUPAWOOD help? SUPAWOOD can supply MAXI BEAMs with a linear groove sized to suit your specified linear LED.
Alternatively, SUPAWOOD can supply both beams and LED fittings, but since SUPAWOOD does not have lighting designers on staff, this is only recommended where the lighting is purely for feature purposes and not required to meet lighting needs.
IGA Romeo's Food Hall MLC Centre, Sydney NSW
6. Lights or skylights above an open beam ceiling with the light filtering through the ceiling
Beam and blade ceilings are particularly suited to open configurations that allow standard light fittings in the ceiling above to illuminate the space or to utilise natural light from a skylight.
How can SUPAWOOD help? Besides supplying MAXI BEAM, ALUCLICK, WAVE BLADES or WAFFLE BLADES, SUPAWOOD can provide framing details to suit the application.
Cairns Central Shopping Centre, Cairns QLD
Don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly customer care team to answer your questions and assist you with lighting integration for your next project.
Top image: Westfield Penrith, Fresh Food Market, High Street Penrith NSW
