Summary
This study presents a simplified action protocol for lighting designers to simultaneously optimize both photopic (visual) and melanopic (circadian) illuminance in real spaces, using a classroom as a worked example. The protocol examines how wall/ceiling/floor reflectance, luminaire placement and distribution, and LED spectral power distributions interact to affect both horizontal and vertical illuminance, enabling more practical implementation of circadian lighting standards.
Key Findings
- Vertical illuminance (relevant for circadian stimulation via the eyes) behaves differently from horizontal illuminance and must be explicitly considered in circadian lighting design.
- Variations in surface reflectance, luminaire spatial distribution, and LED spectral power distribution all meaningfully affect the melanopic contribution of a lighting installation.
- The study provides a step-by-step simplified protocol that bridges traditional photometric calculation methods with emerging circadian lighting standards, reducing the complexity barrier for lighting designers.
Categories
The Science of Light: Develops a practical protocol integrating melanopic and photopic criteria into lighting design, with analysis of spectral power distribution, melanopic EDI, and circadian-relevant illuminance metrics.
Student Learning: Uses a real classroom as the design case study, directly informing circadian-aware lighting design for educational environments.
Author(s)
A Sánchez-Cano, J Aporta
Publication Year
2020
Number of Citations
26
Related Publications
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
Student Learning
- The impact of light from computer monitors on melatonin levels in college students
- The role of the circadian system in the etiology and pathophysiology of ADHD: time to redefine ADHD?
- Decreased sleep quality in high myopia children
- Early electronic screen exposure and autistic-like symptoms
- ADHD 24/7: Circadian clock genes, chronotherapy and sleep/wake cycle insufficiencies in ADHD