Health and wellness
Every day, new research, case studies, design guides and standards highlight the significance of daylight as a primary source of interior lighting, wielding the power to profoundly impact health and happiness.
A daylit environments offers a dynamic interplay of natural illumination. This not only stimulates the senses, but also plays a pivotal role in regulating vital biological processes. For example, with daylight, the environment creates a space for optimal neurotransmitters production, such as serotonin, which is a “feel good” chemical known for influencing mood, well-being, and overall mental health.
The human circadian rhythms are the body’s natural clock. When an individual is exposed to the natural fluctuations of daylight, a remarkable interplay unfolds between the external environment and the intricate neural pathways of the brain. This interaction triggers the release of essential neurotransmitters in response to the ever-changing intensity and spectral composition of daylight throughout the course of the day. These neurotransmitters, acting as messengers, play a pivotal role in directing the body to awaken and become alert during the daylight hours, while facilitating the transition into restful sleep as darkness descends. It also imparts a positive impact on diverse bodily functions, including the regulation of eating habits and digestion, maintenance of optimal body temperature, harmonious hormone release, and other vital physiological processes.
A study by Dr. Alan Hedge,1 a workplace design expert and professor at Cornell University, found that natural daylight has been shown to decrease eyestrain by 51 percent, drowsiness by percent, and headaches by 63 percent.
Case study: The Independent School District 544
The Lincoln School, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, undertook the ambitious task of repurposing a sprawling 8,361 m2 (90,000 sf) structure. Once home to a Target store, the team embarked on a journey to redesign the space, resulting in the newest campus of the Independent School District 544.
Understanding the impact of daylight on human well-being, the district made a deliberate choice to incorporate a thoughtfully planned daylighting design using advanced tubular daylighting devices (TDDs) into this adaptive reuse project. By adopting an innovative top-down daylighting approach, the district successfully transitioned into this previously windowless space. The big box facility was transformed into a highly functional and luminous location, infused with an abundance of natural daylight, creating a healthy and inspiring atmosphere for students and staff alike.
