ENEL Headquarters in Chile

Nestled in the shadow of the Andes mountains, the morning light struggles to reach the bustling streets of Santiago de Chile. Yet, at the city’s busiest intersection, the ENEL Headquarters stands out with its dynamic fusion of architectural and decorative lighting.

On the ground floor, pedestrians enter the lively Tobalaba Urban Market, while a few floors above, a sky lobby welcomes visitors into a markedly different atmosphere. Art takes centre stage, with pathways functionally illuminated by an invisible light source. All thanks to The Running Magnet track with Light Shadow module and Light Shadow Spots, combined to great effect.

This is the Chilean headquarters of ENEL, one of Italy’s largest corporations in the energy sector. Two primary challenges arose when developing the lighting for this project: achieving LEED and WELL certifications and working to a record lead time.

To meet these demands, Head of SV Lighting Design Felipe Vicuña chose Workmates, a high-efficiency luminaire with optimal lumen output and sleek design that complements modern workspaces. The in-track versions allowed for secure, straightforward installation—essential in a region prone to seismic activity.

Integrating lighting into the architecture presented further complexities. Acoustic ceiling panels required careful adjustments to allow space for power tracks, and with unassigned desk areas, all light sources needed to be adaptable, a requirement met by the Workmates in-track system. Visual comfort was another priority, easily solved by Workmates’ optimal, glare-free lighting.

"We wanted the space to be so much more”, explains Vicuña. By incorporating decorative lighting elements like Noctambule and Bibliotheque Nationale, the design team aspired to elevate the environment beyond functionality, creating a workspace that not only fosters productivity but also feels like home.