Lighting and views in buildings are essential for human health and well-being, influencing both visual and non-visual responses.
Humans spend **90% of their time indoors**, but indoor lighting often lacks the intensity, spectrum, and timing of natural daylight, while views of nature are often obstructed.
Impact of Light on Health
Light regulates circadian rhythms, which synchronize our biological clock with the 24-hour day. Disrupted circadian rhythms can cause sleep disorders, reduce cognitive function and increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
Light also has direct effects on alertness and mood. Exposure to blue-enriched light (300 lux, 5500K) in the morning improves cognitive performance and concentration, while low-intensity warm lighting in the evening promotes better sleep. For example, office workers exposed to blue-enriched fluorescent light reported improved alertness, mood, and sleep quality.
Benefits of Daylight and Views
Exposure to daylight offers various health benefits, improving sleep quality, reducing symptoms of depression, and even lowering blood pressure. Workers who have access to daylight report reduced drowsiness and improved physical activity.
For children, classroom views of green landscapes improve stress recovery and mental performance, supporting the biophilia hypothesis, which emphasizes our innate connection to nature.
Strategies for Healthy Lighting and Views
To optimize well-being, buildings should integrate high-intensity, blue-enriched lighting during the day and low-intensity warm lighting in the evening.
Access to natural light and windows with views of greenery further improves health, reduces mental fatigue, and enhances mood. Incorporating biophilic design, such as integrating natural elements into indoor spaces, can bring nature indoors, supporting physical and mental health.
By prioritizing balanced lighting and access to views, buildings can improve occupant health, mood, and productivity while fostering a deeper connection with the natural environment.
@CAMPUS CONTERN is:
- All our offices benefit from direct access to daylight, as part of the BREEAM certification requirements.
- Our indoor lighting is LED to ensure both energy performance and adequate brightness.
- We take care of our green exterior and have even transformed our gray parking emergency exit to resemble a green forest.
- We have a majestic green wall in the conference room to enhance the comfort of those who spend their entire day indoors.
Our Goal:
- To ensure our tenants benefit from a healthy and safe work environment. They spend a lot of time in our buildings, and it is our responsibility to do our best to reduce the causes of fatigue and absenteeism, and to promote concentration and performance.
- To protect our tenants from chronic diseases and play our part in the National Health Plan.
Source: “The 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building” Harvard School of Public Health – forhealth.org