Work category

SEEING THE LIGHT – NATURALLY

In many workplaces only small amounts of daylight enter. This can be especially true for hospitals, where a lack of daylight in corridors may affect both patients and staff members.

Hospital corridors have become much more than transport areas, and a lack of daylight – especially when combined with deficient lighting – can have consequences for the health of staff members and as well as the mood of patients.

The Danish designer Carlo Volf, who has been working with lighting for many years, experienced hospital lighting as deficient while admitted to an area facility for a couple of days.

The experience led him to the development of so-called "lightmachines" controlled by computer and a daylight sensor, which are coordinated to create changes during the day and the year.

At the same time, this "dynamic lighting" helps saving energy, which makes it a win for the hospitals, their staffers and patients.

Acknowledgements: Realdania Fonden, Sophus Fonden, A & E Danielsens Fond.

COMPUTER AND DAYLIGHT CONTROLLED LIGHTING
ISSUE:	Deficient hospital lighting affects the wellbeing of hospital patients and staff.
INTENT	Computer and daylight controlled “Lightmachines” create a more natural lighting improving everyday life in hospitals and saving energy at the same time.
WHO:	Designer Carlo Volf with Louis Poulsen Lighting A/S and Light Makers A/S.