LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - SMART GLASS Smart glass is a new and trending technology which utilizes an electric current to transform glass from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button. An info graphic is shown to the right of how the technology works. It is apparent in the comparison photos to the far right that when white smart glass is used, it enhances the amount of light that is exposed in the room, making the space brighter. Since the glass is opaque, there is little to no glare as well. The bottom left photo displays how smart film can be applied and removed to any glass. This is ideal for existing schools as to not replace any windows, rather add to the current ones. The last photo in the bottom right is a case study from a school which used the smart glass technology in order to block the direct sunlight from bothering students, but did not obstruct the view to outside. While smart glass is already an existing technology, there are ways to take this idea further which is discussed on the next page.
LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - SMART GLASS Since students are starting their days earlier and earlier, their circadian rhythm is not properly aligned. In the info graphic to the left, high alertness starts at 10AM. Today, students are expected to be fully alert many hours before 10AM. Using futuristic technology to assist this issue, schools can use a new smart glass technology which will manipulate the sunlight to align with the students circadian rhythm. The glass will adjust in color, temperature, and intensity. This can also be assisted with interior lighting which uses daylight harvesting technology and LED color changing lights. This will be explained later in this section.
LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - CIRCADIAN STUDY In a study conducted by Philippe Rahm architects, they found that “a yellow colored glass envelope, block(s) the wavelengths of the light responsible for the fall of the melatonin in the body” which “reproduces a true physiological night while being luminous.” Therefore, the yellow tint of the glass surrounding the occupants created an effect of sleepiness. Philippe also found that “blue glass of which wavelengths block the secretion of the melatonin in the body. It is thus a kind of perpetual day, for action”. Therefore, the blue tint of the glass would create an effect of liveliness. Utilizing information from this study, designers can manipulate a classroom to fuel student’s energy earlier in the day, as well as keep them going towards the end of the day. Essentially the circadian lighting would align with the student’s schedule.
Philippe Rahm, Split Time Cafe
LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - SMART FINS In Copenhagen, Denmark, Ørestad College, built by 3XN architects, employs a fin system which reacts to daylight and moves according to the sun angle. These fins help to allow ample lighting into the building without any extreme or direct glares. If schools installed this fin technology on the exterior of their windows with colored glass, it could mimic the circadian lighting patterns and help students stay alert and focused. If the fins were yellow on one half, and blue on another half, they could change the student’s circadian rhythm. Not to mention the fins display a beautiful facade in the evening.
3XN Architects, Ørestad College
LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - DAYLIGHT REDIRECTING Daylight redirecting film is a great new invention by 3M. Instead of installing expensive light shelves, schools can now install a piece of film to the top part of a window, and it will redirect the sunlight to reflect off of the ceiling. This technology is great for many reasons: • Light shelves and daylight redirecting blinds as previously used, do not illuminate as many footcandles as the daylight redirecting film. • There is no direct sunlight beating down on the occupants near the windows • The occupants can close blinds underneath the film in order to prevent all direct sunlight shining down on them while keeping natural light exposure. (Shown to the right) • Schools can also install separate blinds over the film as well if they need an option to make the room completely dark for a lecture or film. When the light redirects onto the ceiling, it is able to shine further into the space, therefore bringing more natural light into the room. When combined with the light harvesting technology explained on the next page, there is a possibility for extreme energy saving.
With film installed, open and closed blinds
Without film installed, open and closed blinds
LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - DAYLIGHT HARVESTING Daylight Harvesting is a new technology which measures the amount of daylight shining throughout a room, then dims the interior lighting accordingly, to save energy. This is beneficial not only for the energy bill, but also for the students. If the lighting is too intense for some students, this will benefit them. This is a separate system which is installed in addition to the existing lighting fixtures. The sensor can be placed on a ceiling or wall and is virtually unnoticeable. There can also be individual sensors hooked up to each individual light, with different settings on how bright each space needs to be. For example, there is more of a need for brighter light directly over desks rather than aisles.
LIGHTING FUTURE IDEAS - SMART INTERIORS Imagine a ceiling consisting of only square lights, and as you walked through the room, the lights followed you. The lights could also extend down as a task light if you needed it. That is the idea behind this technology using individual OLED lamps. Originally, the designer created these lights to flow in mid air, creating the effect of a stingray swimming in the ocean, seen in the photos below. These lights could be the most creative and technologically advanced type of lighting ever installed in a classroom. The lights would react to body heat or movement and use light only where the occupants needed it in order to conserve energy. Since these lights use OLED technology, they can change in color gradually throughout the day to trick the body into a healthy circadian rhythm.
ART+COM Studios, Manta Rhei