Conference article

Daylighting; Daylight Simulation and Public Health: Low-Energy Lighting for Optimal Vision/Visual Acuity and Health/Wellbeing

E. V. Ellis
Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

N. B. Handly
Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

D. L. McEachron
Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

A. Del Risco
Florida State University, Tallahassee, USA

M. Baynard
Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

Download articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.3384/ecp110572064

Published in: World Renewable Energy Congress - Sweden; 8-13 May; 2011; Linköping; Sweden

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 57:42, p. 2064-2071

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Published: 2011-11-03

ISBN: 978-91-7393-070-3

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

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.

Keywords

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

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