ORO Editions

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Medical Behavioral Unit typical patient room

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2017

ZGF with Architecture+, architects AKF, lighting left

Lighting color and intensity varies through the day to support circadian health.

6:30 am, dim orange ambiance, gradually increases like sunrise. middle right

11 am, brighter blue light mimics mid-day daylight.

3 pm, warming afternoon light gradually decreases toward sunset, similar to sunrise, becoming very dim in the evening and dark at night.

photos Halkin/Mason Photography

Novo Nordisk NN2 Headquarters employs fifty baffled skylights in the atrium roof to deliver daylight to the building interior (ArcDog 2017). The dynamics of the daylight is supplemented by LED electric lighting that varies in "intensity, direction and color temperature" (Augustesen 2017). The lighting system supplements available daylight when needed—and during the evening and dark winter hours. A sophisticated control matrix was designed to vary the electric light based on the sky color and occupancy schedules. Ten programs operate at different times and seasons. The conditions are designed to "control the light in a rhythm and variation that makes us sense a dynamic without distracting us or stressing the mind and body" (Mondo Arc 2015).

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia utilizes a specialized lighting program to supplement daylight in all patient and staff areas to mimic outdoor lighting patterns and support healthy circadian rhythms, syncing sleep and wake cycles. The day starts with a dim orange ambient light in the early mornings, gradually working it's way up to a bright white light around noon, and mellows out toward the end of the day, dimming to the lowest levels possible for a hospital setting at night. Patients are given control over their lighting to modify brightness to their preferences. Just for fun, children can choose between a rainbow of accent light colors (Burling 2018, ZGF 2017).