Light has an impact on how people feel, function and recover. Integrative lighting is an overarching approach to lighting design that considers more than just the biological and emotional effects of light on humans. Integrative lighting aims to support the user's health and well-being, taking into account the natural day-night rhythm of humans.
From lux standards to human-centred lighting design
Traditionally, lighting is designed based on standards such as illuminance (e.g. 500 lux in offices), uniformity and glare limitation (UGR). The aim is to achieve functional and safe lighting. These visual requirements remain essential in lighting design, but light also has non-visual effects. Research has shown that light also influences circadian rhythms, alertness, and hormone balance. This shifts the focus from simply providing “sufficient light” to “the right light at the right time”, whereby light is used dynamically to improve the health and well-being of the user.
m-EDI and integrative lighting
Together with partners BrainLit and FluxPlus, we develop integrative 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 the traditional lux values that mainly 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 sufficient support for the biological rhythm. In specific applications, higher biological light values can be selected when required. With solutions such as Biocentric Lighting (BCL®), we can even achieve 1300 m-EDI and higher.
Where is integrative lighting interesting?
Integrative lighting can add value in environments where people spend long periods of time or where performance and well-being are key, such as:
Standards and guidelines
Integrative lighting is not a separate standard, but is in line with existing guidelines and certifications, for example:
-
ISO 8995-1 / EN 12464-1 (visual lighting requirements)
-
DIN/TS 67600 German standard: technical specification for the biological effects of light)
-
WELL Building Standard (circadian lighting design and health in buildings)
-
BREEAM (comfort, health and energy)
-
CIE S 026 (melanopic light values, mEDI)
Want to know more?
Would you like to know how integrative lighting can be applied in your project? Please contact us.