Kwanjeong Library has the world’s largest OLED lighting installation

The world’s largest OLED lighting installation can be found at Seoul National University (SNU) in the newly opened Kwanjeong Library located in the heart of Gwanak campus. OLED (organic light-emitting diode) lighting has been lauded for being energy efficient and comfortable to the eyes. Made from organic material, OLED lighting creates a soft diffused light that is said to be the closest to natural light. These are some of the reasons why OLED lighting is becoming increasingly competitive in the market.

Apart from being an aesthetically innovative building, Kwanjeong Library is also a practical one. With 1,100 OLED light panels installed for reading lights, this library can be described as a most user-friendly library.

The individual OLED light panels used measure 320mm x 110mm with a light efficacy of 60lm/W. With a lifetime of 40,000 hours, these light panels are highly energy efficient. In addition, the brightness of the lamps can be easily adjusted with dimming control ranging from 300lx to 850lx. Each OLED light panel is only 0.88mm thick. With their aluminum casing the lamps still remain slim at just 2.2mm in thickness.

With 1,100 OLED light panels installed for reading lights, this library can be described as a most user-friendly library

Manufactured by LG Chem, OLED lighting resembles natural sunlight. However, because it does not emit ultraviolet light, electromagnetic radiation associated with eye fatigue, individuals can enjoy studying without an added burden on their sight. Furthermore, OLED lighting does not produce blue light which is known to cause eye damage. In addition to the health aspects, OLED lighting is also environmentally smart. As mentioned above, OLED lights are energy efficient and also generate less heat than electric, fluorescent or LED lights. At the same time, in terms of design, OLED panels are highly flexible. Because OLED light panels are one-tenth the thickness of LEDs and one-fifth of their weight, they can be applied more creatively.

Individuals studying in Kwanjeong Library’s reading rooms can do so with a sense of serenity and the benefits of these OLED light panels have been noticed by students. JIN Yongbak, (College of Business Administration) expressed his views on the environment created by the lights. “Usually when I study for long periods of time the strain on my eyes caused by the fluorescent lights impedes me from continuing. But Kwanjeong’s OLED lamps have significantly reduced that burden. The lights make it feel as if I were studying outside under the evening sun.”

Written by OH Jung Eun, SNU English Editor, josefinaoh@snu.ac.kr
Reviewed by Eli Park Sorensen, SNU Professor of Liberal Studies, eps7257@snu.ac.kr
Proofread by Melora Brett Briana Johnson, SNU English Editor, morningcalm2@gmail.com