Abstract
Light via our eyes influences visual performance, visual comfort and visual experience, but also affects several health related, non-image-forming (NIF) responses. New metrics have been developed to quantify the NIF effects of light. In order to incorporate these in lighting design practice, simulation tools are required that are able to process information about the spectral distribution of light sources and materials. However, most of the tools currently used for daylight and electric light simulations simplify the spectrum into RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour values. This paper presents an overview of the currently used programs for simulating the NIF effects of light in building design and discusses the possibility of using existing spectral rendering software as an alternative. A review of literature shows that mostly Radiance or Radiance-based programs have been used so far, but new user-friendly tools could employ existing spectral rendering tools. As the NIF effects of light gain greater importance in lighting design, new simulation workflows are needed. This paper aims to support the development of future workflows by presenting the current state-of-the-art.
Highlights
An increasing amount of research during the last years indicates that light does stimulate the human visual system, but it triggers several non-image-forming (NIF) responses that are related to health and well-being [1]
The ocular photoreceptors that drive the NIF responses have a peak spectral sensitivity at the short wavelength bluish light, which differs from the sensitivity of the visual system, but there is evidence that other photoreceptors contribute to these responses [5]
Lark was developed for daylight simulations, but it could be modified for electric lighting simulations since its code is open source
Summary
An increasing amount of research during the last years indicates that light does stimulate the human visual system, but it triggers several non-image-forming (NIF) responses that are related to health and well-being [1]. Due to the different spectral sensitivities, the photometric quantities such as luminance and illuminance are no longer suitable to fully describe light To address this issue, the International Commission of Illumination (CIE) has adopted five α-opic metrics which are weighted with the sensitivities of the currently known photoreceptors in the eye (S-, M-, L- cones, rods and ipRGCs) [6]. The International Commission of Illumination (CIE) has adopted five α-opic metrics which are weighted with the sensitivities of the currently known photoreceptors in the eye (S-, M-, L- cones, rods and ipRGCs) [6] The implication of this for lighting design is that it is important to describe and calculate light radiometrically
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