Recent developments in architecture and construction have prompted the integration of various qualities such as health, wellbeing, and environmental compliance to the design process. As the industry continues to delve into the different possibilities within the said aspects, research works and theories are being put to the test through application or simulation. A recent discussion among experts reveals that differences in lighting specifications could further improve the design of a building, thereby, improving the wellbeing of the occupants of the building.
Elizabeth O. Lowrey, the principal and director of interior architecture at Elkus Manfredi Architects in Boston, emphasized the importance of the matter when she stated that the lighting design of the environment could dictate if people would prefer to stay in an area or not. Later, Lowrey added that it all goes back to making people feel good and look good.
Mariana Figueiro, director of the Lighting Research Center (LRC) and a professor in the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, reports that more clients are leaning towards lighting design which could better the health and wellness of building occupants.
This new demand in proper and good lighting design has prompted manufacturers to come up with products that are attuned with the human body's circadian rhythm.
Since the dawn of time, human bodies and their biological processes have been influenced and regulated by natural phenomena. Daylight and one's internal body clock are among the natural factors that help the human body perform processes such as the release of hormones. However, recent developments in technology have shown that even electric lighting can drive the circadian system of a human body.
According to experts, lighting has non-visual effects on human bodies and minds that are mostly positive but could be negative at times. The disruption of the circadian rhythm of the body could be caused by certain activities that involve using a light source at the wrong time. An example would be the use of electronic devices when in bed. The disruption of the circadian rhythm of the body brought about by the untimely exposure to gadget screens is said to be one of the probable causes of health problems such as depression, some metabolic diseases, and cancer. Disrupting the body's circadian rhythm could also affect a person's blood sugar and energy levels.
Figueiro stated that even if there is a lot to be studied and yet to be discovered about the human body's circadian rhythm, 30 years of previous research on the matter have proven that proper lighting can affect sleep quality, food, and the health of a person.
Metrics and tools that can help professionals apply circadian rhythm in their design process are being developed at the LRC. Through their analytical tool, different types of lighting are being compared to come up with the best solution for a designed space. Studies conducted at the LRC have revealed that those who were exposed to higher circadian stimulus during their work hours felt less depressed and had better sleep quality.
Figueiro pointed out that natural light sources, such as daylight, are still the best source that could affect the circadian rhythm of the body. However, because most people spend their days inside poorly lit rooms or offices, the circadian system is not fully activated because of the low lighting levels.
This would put supplemental lighting as an essential element in interior design. These accessories, brought about by recent technologies and advancements, are fixtures that work in tandem with natural daylight. Some luminaires have integrated photosensors which could maintain consistent lighting levels through the use of automatic dimming. Tunable white light systems are also available via LED technology which can mimic daylight patterns. Some designers also use layers of light to mimic the effects of natural light. The concept is that natural light is uneven, unlike artificial lighting.
Figueiro added that offices with daylight have more value than those that are poorly lit. In essence, offices with good circadian lighting are valued at higher prices as well.
