Should the Light be Static or Dynamic?

Abstract

The lighting design in workplaces environments involves/demands a multidisciplinary knowledge. Despite the several studies in this area of knowledge the reality shows that the lighting layout in indoor environments only considers the need for seeing. Nevertheless, the light is the basis of other needs of the human being, such as non-visual like the circadian rhythms. Both the visual and non-visual effects affect our wellbeing and health. To accomplish tasks without spending our energy in fighting the unfriendly environments we must achieve a well-designed indoor environ design that compensates our needs and fulfil our expectations. Besides the lighting codes, which are mostly related with lighting metrics, it is important to respond to our needs, both physical and psychological, and understand activities and individuals requirements. We spend more almost 90% of our life time in indoor environments without realising that we are putting our health in danger. Natural light provides us, not only the energy that allows us to see, but also the vitamin D that help maintain our health through our skin and eyes, moreover ultraviolet and infrared radiation also has an impact in our wellbeing. Artificial light should provide us the same composition and not withdraw of its spectral composition. The visible light, goes from the violet (short wavelength) to red (long wavelength) over the day and changes occur also along the year - on winter there is much less light available than in the summer. Meteorological conditions and geographic location (latitude) have impact on the light and how it affects our body and mind, in different ways. So, why is the indoor lighting static, once literature reveals the benefits of a dynamic light such as natural one? This paper aims to study the “do's and don’ts” of a lighting design in a workplace. To achieve such goals the research will be conducted throughout literature review.