Day lighting in Healing Spaces

Abstract

The intent of this research is to explore how architecture can enlighten healing or provide spaces where healing can take place. The healing environments, make wellness centres less stressful and promote faster healing for patients and improve well-being for their families, as well as creating a pleasant, comfortable and safe work environment. Light impacts human health and performance by enabling performance of visual tasks, controlling the body’s circadian system, affecting mood and perception, and by enabling critical chemical reactions in the body. Natural light should be incorporated into lighting design in healthcare settings, not only because it is beneficial to patients and staff, but also because it is light delivered to people at no cost and in a form that most people prefer. Study involves comparing healthcare settings in warm and humid climatic zones and how day lighting plays an important role in healing. Appropriate day lighting thus impacts outcomes in healthcare settings by reducing depression among patients, decreasing length of stay in hospitals, improving sleep and circadian rhythm, lessening agitation among patients, easing pain, and improving adjustment to night-shift work among staff. The appropriate positioning and optimisation of windows/ openings in the workplace and access to daylight have been linked with increased satisfaction with the surrounding environment.