Lighting in Kindergartens: Towards Innovative Design Concepts for Lighting Design in Kindergartens Based on Children’s Perception of Space

Stavroula Angelaki,Georgios A Triantafyllidis,Ute Besenecker

doi:10.3390/su14042302

Stavroula Angelaki, Georgios A Triantafyllidis + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042302

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Abstract

Light is the foundation of the visual perceptual process that initiates the evaluation of the surrounding area. Linked to various aspects and rhythms of the body, light connects us to both the natural environment and the interior space. The process of perceiving and assessing space for children and adults with different viewing heights and viewing perspectives as well as the role of light to facilitate this are the key elements of this study. The paper describes general lighting design strategies for kindergartens, specifically developed to create an environment that takes into account the children’s scale and cognitive processes. The objective was to discuss environments that support the child’s spatial perception along with shape and object recognition by means of lighting design, for example by creating distinct, well-placed shadows. The proposed strategies are informed by a literature review on the concepts and interrelations of light, human physiology and the perception of scale and space. In addition, our process also included visits to kindergartens to observe and analyse existing lighting as well as the use of simulation programs to test lighting scenarios and their patterns/distribution of light and shadow. The outcome described in this paper is a proposal and strategy to take into account children’s vantage points when designing lighting in kindergartens that is still open to practical interpretations in real-world sites.

Highlights

IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
We looked at visual perception science and how the anatomy of the human eye influences the perceptual process as well as into concepts of spatial cognition, anthropometry and ergonomics
The main differences in ocular physiology between children and adults [11,44] are relevant to understand; until the age of three, children have a limited visual perception that is in progress, haptic perception dominates during the first stages of cognition development [18]

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Light is a medium of spatial transformation, allowing a designer to reveal, enhance, highlight or hide specific elements of space [1]. Light is a design tool linked to the ability of vision and the process of visual perception. The light that hits the elements in space to subsequently arrive at the user’s eyes enables and initiates the process of seeing. Seeing and perceiving are two different, though interconnected notions [2]

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