One of the elements of nature that can be used to generate sustainable projects is natural lighting. We have hit this key for a long time and in today’s post we will list the biological effects that light has on the human organism. According to the researcher Cláudia Rioja, “light is a potent biological and therapeutic agent, fundamental for life on our planet. Without it would not be possible many metabolic processes that result in growth, behaviors and perception of the environment.
Recent findings point to a new sensory system in the eye that detects the effects of light and acts directly on human neurobehavioral activity. Based on this fact, we currently seek to establish parameters regarding the architecture and lighting relationships of environments associated with health and well-being of users. These points also take into account aspects of performance, visual comfort and aesthetic appreciation of space.
The vision and the consequent perception of light are the main responsible for the human being to apprehend the space around them and their qualities are determinant in the behavior of the individual in its relations with space and vice versa. “For those involved with architectural and lighting projects, the focus of interest should be on the relationships of melatonin production with light / dark cycles and on how the interference caused by natural and artificially illuminated environments, as well as their relation to the reduction of Levels of cortisol and adrenaline, “points out Claudia.
Points such as these need to be on the agenda in lighting projects for companies and businesses, as both the effects of natural light and artificial light influence the interaction of the individual with the built environment. Studies in the field prove that light increases agility and performance, both day and night and influences the regional functions of the brain.
With the modern world and the constant use of artificial lighting, little consideration was given to how much this light altered the 24-hour circadian rhythm of humans, that is, their relationships with day and night. “The proper functioning of the human circadian clock is important for healthy living,” adds Claudia. With regard to visual comfort there are several criteria related to visual perception, such as contrasts, angle of vision, glare and levels of illumination. All of them can interfere considerably in productive activities and cause health maladjustments, influencing the evaluation and, consequently, the affective relations waged with the place, be they positive or negative .
It is important to take into consideration what effects are projecting on customers and employees due to the type of lighting used in your establishment and / or company. The levels of lighting and distribution of light in the environments contribute to the distribution of people and groups in function of personality, task and environment.
