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Lighting Controls B.V.
Ambachtstraat 3
4143 HB Leerdam
Netherlands
Lighting Controls Belgium B.V.
North Industrial Park 27
9100 Sint-Niklaas
Belgium
Human Centric Lighting
Lighting in spaces where we work, learn and relax should be tailored to our needs. Lighting can be tuned to mimic natural daylight, meaning lighting works in harmony with our body's biological (circadian) rhythms. Circadian lighting ensures that people benefit from improved mood, productivity and concentration, and reduces workplace health problems such as eyestrain and headaches.
Wellbeing
The 'Living Lab' case study in London showed that users were 38% calmer, relaxed and at ease after being exposed to circadian light for four weeks.
Sleep quality
Circadian lighting has been proven to have a positive effect on the duration, quality and timing of sleep patterns.
Productivity
Circadian lighting that provides greater visual comfort has been linked to perceived productivity increases in various workspaces.
Why apply Human Centric Lighting?
Humans have long depended on one light source: the sun. Nowadays, however, we spend almost 90% of our time indoors. This means we see much less natural light, which has a major impact on our biological clock, also known as the circadian rhythm. This clock regulates our sleep-wake rhythm and depends heavily on how much light our eyes catch.
Traditional lighting does not take our well-being into account. It often provides a fixed light level, which is unnatural. Modern, human-centred lighting uses dynamic functions such as adjusting brightness and colour temperature (DALI Type 8). This type of lighting can mimic natural light, helping to better support our biological clock. Using human-centred lighting in offices, schools or hospitals, for example, creates a healthier and more pleasant environment for everyone in the room.
Light over time
Light over Time is an innovation within Helvar's 'organic' Human Centric Lighting solutions. The software feature is an addition to the comprehensive Designer programming software. Light over Time is a graphical function that can be used to create a dynamic cycle based on light colour and light intensity.
A tailor-made dynamic cycle
A person's activity, age and location are some of the factors that influence what lighting is needed in a person's environment. Through Light over Time, a fully customised cycle can be created for any situation, depending on the environment and the user's needs.
Applications of Human Centric Lighting
Lighting that supports when it is really needed
Human Centric Lighting is commonplace in healthcare environments such as hospitals and nursing homes. Studies have shown a correlation between human-centric lighting and an increase in activity levels, as well as a reduction in recovery times due to dynamic lighting.
In dementia wards, human-centred lighting was found to reduce 41% in screaming, agitation and crying¹, while in general care facilities, regulated colour temperatures can promote stable sleep patterns, which in turn has a positive impact on length of stay.
For many of us, the office sometimes feels like a second home
Most of us who have ever worked in an office have also experienced poor office lighting first-hand. Poor lighting negatively affects our mood, performance and general well-being. It even leads to eyestrain, fatigue and headaches.
Studies have shown that circadian lighting has a positive impact on moods, productivity and motivation. In a recent study by Staples UK, it said Respondents' 80% that good lighting in the office was important to them, and 32% of people said they would be happier at work if they had better lighting in the office².
In any learning environment, concentration is essential
It is much easier for students (and teachers!) to stay alert and focused if they work in an ergonomically designed environment. For example, starting the day with brighter, cooler white light can energise a classroom and encourage activity. But by dimming to warmer white light later in the afternoon, it is possible to encourage more relaxed discussions and relaxation for the day. By creating precisely tuned circadian lighting profiles using a human-centred lighting system, it is ultimately possible to influence student productivity and performance.
Where else does our well-being matter?
Well, everywhere! Whether you work in a warehouse, a hotel, a shop, an airport, a museum or a cruise ship, your eyes still respond to light. Circadian lighting can help create a natural atmosphere in hotel rooms, helping guests get a good night's sleep. For the same reason, it has been shown to have a beneficial effect on night workers in warehouses. Some airports have even introduced premium lounges with circadian lighting to reduce the effect of jet lag and give travellers new energy...
Case study: Acute care clinic, GGZ Drenthe in Assen
Clinic Acute Care of GGZ Drenthe in Assen is fully equipped with a Helvar Imagine system. Nice functionalities have been applied, such as biodynamic light control in the patient rooms and displaying the position of the doors on a floor plan on various touch screens.
More information or an offer for your project?
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