Light affects how people feel, function, and recover. Integrative lighting is a comprehensive approach to lighting design that takes a broader view of the biological and emotional effects of light on people. The goal of integrative lighting is to support the health and well-being of users, taking into account the human body’s natural day-night rhythm.
From lux standards to people-centered lighting design
Traditionally, lighting is designed based on standards such as illuminance (e.g., 500 lux in an office), uniformity, and glare control (UGR). The goal is to create functional and safe lighting. While these visual requirements remain essential in lighting design, light also has non-visual effects. For example, research has shown that light also influences the circadian rhythm, alertness, and hormone balance. As a result, the focus is shifting from simply “sufficient light” to “the right light at the right time, ” where light is used dynamically to improve the user’s health and well-being.
m-EDI and integrative lighting
Together with our partners BrainLit and FluxPlus, we develop integrated lighting solutions that, where necessary, go beyond standard guidelines such as 250 mEDI. m-EDI (melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance) is a measure that indicates the extent to which light stimulates the human biological rhythm. It is used to assess the biological impact of light in indoor spaces, in addition to traditional lux values, which primarily describe the visual quality of lighting.
Guidelines such as the WELL Building Standard specify a value of approximately 250 m-EDI during the day as an indication of adequate support for the circadian rhythm. In specific applications, higher biological light levels may be selected when the situation calls for it. With solutions such as Biocentric Lighting (BCL®), we can even achieve 1,300 m-EDI and higher.
Where is integrative lighting useful?
Integrated lighting can provide added value in environments where people spend long periods of time or where performance and well-being are key priorities, such as:
Standards and guidelines
Integrative lighting is not a separate standard, but aligns with existing guidelines and certifications, such as:
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ISO 8995-1 / EN 12464-1 (visual lighting requirements)
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DIN/TS 67600 German standard (technical specification for the biological effects of light)
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WELL Building Standard (circadian lighting design and health in buildings)
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BREEAM (comfort, health, and energy)
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CIE S 026 (melanopic illuminance values, mEDI)
Want to know more?
Would you like to know how integrative lighting can be incorporated into your project? Please contact us.