One of the things you have to recognize as a global lighting design practice is that the quality of the natural light is different at the equator than it is in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and if you are lucky enough to have ventured far north or far south then the light and the natural light phenomenons are truly inspiring and wonderful to behold.
The higher latitudes are defined by long summer days and long winter nights, the light and the weather define the psyche of the people and most definitely the warmer end of the spectrum is the preferred light source with homes invariably lit at 2700K. This cultural response to light is most interesting to us as lighting designers as it varies from country to country and region to region. It must also be the attraction to the candle in the window, drawing you out of the cold, the warmth of the fire, and the protection of flame torches of yesteryear.
The star of the natural light show is the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, but we find equally as interesting and inspiring, the midnight sun, the mind boggles as to how the internal body clock manually adjusts! The play of light on ice, water, and snowscapes, the sun low and evocative in the ‘night’ sky.
The Aurora Borealis is on our bucket list and I am sure the list of all that are interested in light, this visually stunning play and dance of lights caused by electromagnetic fields in our atmosphere, we have traveled to the north of Sweden and Finland and are still yet to see them and it is extremely rare for this natural phenomenon to reach parts of Scotland in the UK.
Another fabulous inspiration of the Northern Hemispheres is the naturally dark skies, huge skies, as far as the eye can see skies, chock full of stars, you have not lived until you have experienced and stood underneath the full vista of the Milky Way!
