When we think of a car service center, we usually imagine a strictly functional space, designed for efficiency and technical processes. However, the Coasta de Est project in Bucharest demonstrates that things can be viewed differently.
Designed by Hype Project, under the coordination of architect Adrian Ianculescu, the Coasta de Est service center is an example of a commercial space where architecture, technology, and lighting contribute to building a complete experience for users.
A car service center that goes beyond traditional functions
From the very beginning, the client wanted something different from the classic image of a car service center.
"It was a project we initially didn't want to take on, because we don't do commercial design. But Bogdan, the owner, wanted it to be totally different and insisted on us building a service center at the level of Hype Project.
We had the freedom to create the space as we envisioned it, starting from the idea that it wouldn't just be a place where cars are repaired, but also a space for events, community, photoshoots, and video productions," mentions architect Adrian Ianculescu, Hype Project.
This approach influenced all design decisions, including the lighting strategy.
Lighting as an element of space organization
For this project, Design Radar provided suspended lighting profiles with Chip-on-Board (COB) technology, chosen for both their technical performance and visual impact.
One of the project's particularities is the use of light to delineate work areas. Each service station is highlighted by a suspended luminous frame, which visually organizes the space and contributes to an orderly and contemporary image.
Thus, lighting is no longer just a functional necessity, but becomes part of the interior architecture.
Why COB technology profiles were chosen
In commercial spaces with intensive use, operating and maintenance costs are just as important as design.
The solution chosen for Coasta de Est offers several advantages:
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extended service life;
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uniform light distribution;
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reduced maintenance costs;
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minimal intervention over time.
Compared to solutions based on classic LED strips, profiles with COB technology reduce the need for maintenance and eliminate repeated costs associated with replacing strips and installation operations.
For a space that operates daily and requires operational continuity, these benefits become essential.
The right light for a car showroom
In the main area of the service center, a color temperature of 4000K was used, a neutral white light frequently preferred in showrooms and commercial spaces.
This offers:
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accurate color rendering;
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excellent visibility for technical activities;
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visual comfort for users;
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a professional and contemporary image.
In a space dedicated to automobiles, the quality of light is essential both for the team's activity and for client perception.
One of the most high-tech car service centers in Romania
In addition to the lighting solutions, the project also integrates an advanced automation system.
"The light is controlled via an app, through a KNX system. I think we can say that it is one of the few fully automated car service centers in Romania, if not even in Europe," specifies Adrian Ianculescu.
Integrating lighting into a smart building ecosystem allows for the control of lighting scenarios and the adaptation of the space to different uses: technical activity, events, filming, or photoshoots.
Design Radar × Hype Project
The Coasta de Est project demonstrates that lighting can contribute decisively to the identity of a space.
When it is thought out from the concept phase, it not only illuminates, but organizes, highlights, and transforms the user experience.
For this project, the collaboration between Hype Project and Design Radar pursued exactly this objective: creating a functional, technological, and memorable space that exceeds the expectations associated with a traditional car service center.
