In schools, the quality of lighting directly affects concentration, eye strain, and the well-being of both students and teachers. When well-designed, lighting becomes a true educational tool, capable of aligning with the rhythms of the day and sustaining attention over time.
Designing lighting for a school involves more than simply ensuring sufficient light levels. It requires balancing multiple uses with strict regulatory requirements.
Classrooms have specific requirements regarding glare and light uniformity. A controlled UGR reduces eye strain during prolonged reading and writing tasks. Furthermore, by varying color temperature and intensity throughout the day, it supports students’ circadian rhythms: cooler, more stimulating light in the morning, and warmer, more soothing light at the end of the day. This approach helps improve alertness in the classroom and facilitates transitions between teaching periods.
Some Technical Guidelines
Each area of a school has its own specific needs, and Clarma is able to accommodate this diversity. Classrooms require uniform lighting without glare on work surfaces; libraries and reading areas benefit from soft, ambient lighting; while hallways, courtyards, and common areas prioritize durability and ease of maintenance, while also aiding wayfinding and ensuring safe movement. Added to this is energy management, a central pillar of any school’s specifications: occupancy sensing, automatic dimming based on natural light, and centralized control significantly reduce energy consumption—a particularly critical issue for public authorities and institutions subject to environmental targets.
Clarma designs custom lighting solutions for educational institutions, from daycare centers to universities. Our team supports project owners, architects, and local governments from the initial sketches through to commissioning, drawing on a broad network of partners to meet the regulatory and budgetary requirements specific to each project.
A high-performance light fixture, available in several sizes to accommodate the specific needs of classrooms. Its microprismatic PMMA diffuser provides uniform and comfortable lighting, with a UGR rating of <19 that ensures optimal glare control—an essential factor in maintaining visual comfort for both students and teachers over the long term.
Recta pendant light, featuring simple, minimalist geometry, made of die-cast aluminum. Its light, filtered by a mirrored reflector to provide direct-indirect illumination, offers uniform, efficient, and glare-free lighting, with a UGR < 19. Ideal for use above a conference table or work surface, it ensures excellent visual comfort and a pleasant lighting atmosphere.
Voltaire Middle School Cafeteria, Geneva
Classroom at Henri-Dunant Middle School
Henri-Dunant Middle School Auditorium
July 1, 2026
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