Conference article

Indoor Ecology (IE) is an emerging research field that aims to develop new approaches and technologies which allow indoor environments and occupants to dynamically co-adapt to each other in order to enhance human wellbeing and productivity while simultaneously optimizing energy efficiency. The central idea in IE is that humans; building systems and the interior environment form a single; integrated complex ‘ecosystem’. One way to IE optimization is though lighting; especially daylighting and daylight simulation. Current approaches to energy-efficient buildings emphasize only limited aspects of interior lighting; such as the carbon footprint; without regard to the multiple effects lighting has on human health; wellbeing and productivity which must be considered if truly sustainable interior spaces are to be designed. This paper documents five ongoing investigations which study various aspects of the lighting-human interaction in a variety of circumstances. For example; students in the classroom setting are exposed to wide changes in lighting as well as inadequate light during early classes; likely affecting attention; retention and performance. Subjects displayed a marked preference for natural lighting when given the option; supporting a general hypothesis that daylighting might be a solution to the twin problems of promoting health and productivity while decreasing energy use.

Daylighting; Low-energy lighting; Visual acuity; Health; Wellbeing