Lighting Company's HQ Brightens Employee Experience

Ketra, the lighting manufacturer that has illuminated corporate spaces for Google, Pinterest, and BuzzFeed, unveiled its new Austin headquarters in February. The design of the new 28,000-foot space represents a collaboration between Ketra and its parent company, Lutron Electronics.

“Ketra HQ was designed by us—for us," says Horace Ho, co-founder and chief operating officer of Ketra. “By applying the Lutron HXL philosophy—a holistic, human-centric approach that uses lighting to elevate the employee experience—Ketra has created a dynamic environment to build the future of lighting innovation."

Designed with Light

It's no surprise that, first and foremost, Ketra's headquarters is designed with light at top of mind. A building shell comprised primarily of windows provides a strong foundation for the interior design. Glass walls maximize the connection to natural light, so even the interior spaces at the building's core offer a view of the outdoors.

Since too much sun can make computer work challenging, the team installed Lutron's automated shades throughout the space. These allow complete control of lighting conditions, including the ability to adapt to the sun's position throughout the day to moderate temperature and reduce screen glare. The shades are semi-transparent, so even when they're fully drawn, employees still have a view of nature.

“Many Austin employees lead an active lifestyle and desire constant connection to the outdoors," says Ho, who served as lead designer on the project. “Ketra HQ's design supports this connection."

Ketra's dynamic, tunable light system also plays a significant role in the space, amplifying sunlight with its Natural Light scene. By extending this Natural Light to every inch of the office, all employees have access, regardless of window proximity.

Plus, Ketra's lighting scenes are easily customized and programmed using Lutron's design software, allowing employees to control lights at different color temperatures and intensity levels as their space needs evolve. This provides ultimate personalization, design freedom, and future-proofing of the space, says Ho.

Creative Lighting Applications

Light guides all experiences at Ketra's headquarters, as creative lighting applications set the mood and shape the environment.

For instance, Ketra's colored light capabilities provide visual cues to distinguish conference rooms that are occupied. Once employees enter a space, they have complete control over the lighting conditions, enabling them to choose the ambience they prefer. These user-controlled, personalized work spaces empower employees to create the atmosphere in which they work best, says Ho.

In addition, Ketra uses light to create distinct zones or “rooms" within the open office layout. Layers and zones of light divide areas into fluid yet functional spaces.

“Ketra HQ taps into the growing trend of multipurpose spaces, with custom scenes and layered lighting that allow users to create a variety of different environments within the same space," says Ho.

For example, the team can transform a brightly lit office into a warm, cocktail-party environment or even an art gallery. The multifunctional Collaboration Studio—a resource for the local design community and customers—serves as a “work café" by day and an event space by night.

Murals by local graffiti artist Aaron Darling add even more color, and custom lighting installations—such as a 448-bulb stairway installation—highlight Ketra's unique culture.

“We are down to earth, yet we have an eye for design and want to work in a space that is stylish," says Ho. “A mix of tech, design, and art that reflects the broader Austin culture provides the ideal backdrop for building advanced tech with artistic elegance."

The Importance of Lighting Design

Lighting design matters—even for offices that don't specialize in light. According to a Future Workplace study, employees name natural light and outdoor views as the number one office perk, promoting well-being, engagement, and productivity.

“Office lighting helps all employees and won't fall to the wayside, as amenities like ping-pong tables or office gyms often do," says Ho. “Every employee gets to reap the benefits of lighting that can be tailored to their needs and help them feel more connected to nature, which can, in turn, boost company morale and productivity."

In addition, Ho contends that creative lighting applications can help offset traditional construction costs by shaping the visual perception of an office, such as providing an attractive finish for raw materials like concrete floors. Custom scenes and layered lighting can also establish multifunctional spaces without building additional walls.

“By investing in lighting, offices can maximize pre-existing architecture and avoid other building costs," says Ho.

While the majority of Ketra employees are currently working remotely, post-pandemic office updates may include spreading workstations farther apart and requiring advance appointments at the Collaboration Studio to ensure adequate social distancing.