Human centric lighting

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Light is more than a medium that enables us to see. Light determines our mood and sleep-wake rhythm – it stimulates us and calms us down. It is essentially responsible for the acceptance of our spatial surroundings.

The transition from “conventional” electric light to digital LED technology is a paradigm shift that is taking place at a rapid pace. For engineers, this means adding new “quality features” apart from managing physical variables and known criteria such as contrast and glare, writes Professor Andreas Schulz, Licht Kunst Licht; IALD.

Circadian Rhythms

Improved Productivity Human Centric Lighting

Energy Savings and Sustainability Mood

Visual Activity

With the advent of Human Centric Lighting (HCL), aspects such as the colour temperature and intensity of the light, combined with illuminated material and human perception, play a new role. In addition to the visual impact and energy efficiency, it is now about optimising the biological and emotional impact of light on human beings. The focus is on the users of light and their specific requirements. The latest publication from licht.de – licht.wissen 21: Guide to Human Centric Lighting (HCL) – aims to provide guidance and instructions for architects, engineers and lighting designers who are facing new challenges. It is designed as a tool to help them implement HCL and illustrates clearly what the term human centric lighting covers. Practical examples show how designers can develop HCL concepts for different room scenarios and use-cases such as industry, school, office and residential applications. The guide further covers the requirements of a modern society with flexible working days, shift-work or early start of school days.

More and more consumers and customers are becoming aware of the importance of modern lighting. Market research conducted by the international consulting firm AT Kearney forecasts that human centric lighting will gain a significant influence on the lighting market in the medium term.

The demand for HCL is steadily growing. Engineers and architects need to be prepared to meet the new demands of their customers. A modern lighting design needs to have an HCL-compliant design process in place that is systematic and with a long-term effect. Such a design can enhance productivity and people’s well-being. The important aspect here is that one

has to take a comprehensive view of all factors – from colour temperature to light direction – and align them with one another.

In addition to the visual and biological impact, the emotional impact of light in a room must be given a strong emphasis. Engineers and architects need to be aware of these aspects and to integrate them into their planning process from the outset. licht.wissen 21: Guide to Human Centric Lighting (HCL) is an excellent place to start. See www.all-aboutlight.org for free download. Q

About licht.de Frankfurt-based licht.de has circa 130 member companies in the lighting industry under the umbrella of ZVEI, the German electrical and electronic manufacturers’ association. In addition to financial support, they also place the specialist knowledge of their lighting experts at its disposal. wlicht. de’s mission is to provide impartial and authoritative information on good lighting design.