Innerscene + WELL Building Standard (v2)
Realistic Sky and Sun Optics that Help Projects Achieve WELL Light Features
What is WELL?
The WELL Building Standard™ v2 is a performance-based certification focused on people’s health and well‑being across ten concepts, including Light. Projects (not products) earn points by meeting feature requirements verified through documentation and performance testing. In lighting, WELL aims to minimize circadian disruption, support sleep and alertness, and ensure visual comfort and quality.
Learn more about WELL
Why Daylight Matters?
From light to Circadian Synchronization
Daylight is a dynamic blend of visible and non‑visible wavelengths that has shaped human physiology and behavior. Beyond enabling vision through rods and cones, light sets timing signals for our internal clocks via intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs).
These cells are most sensitive to blue‑enriched "sky" light and synchronize the brain’s master clock, which in turn coordinates organ systems and cellular rhythms.
Research‑Backed Light Targets
In 2022, an international panel of circadian experts published recommendations:
Daytime:
≥ 275 EML (≈ 250 m‑EDI) for the duration of the active day.
Evening (2–3 h before bed):
≤ 11 EML (≈ 10 m‑EDI)
Sleep:
≤ 1 EML
Target Ratio:
25:1 between day and evening light
Formula:
EML = M/P × vertical lux at the eye
Innerscene Advantage:
With an M/P ratio up to ~1.6, Circadian Sky and Virtual Sun can deliver the required EML more efficiently than conventional luminaires (~0.5 M/P).
Melanopic Ratio (MR) & Melanopic Lux (overview)
- Lux: measures illuminance (photopic, vision‑weighted).
- Melanopic Lux: quantifies light that stimulates melanopsin receptors, relevant to circadian effects.
- Melanopic Ratio (MR): melanopic (at the eye) relative to photopic; a high MR indicates more circadian‑effective light per lux.
Why this matters: Evidence links daytime melanopic light to circadian alignment, better alertness and cognitive performance, improved mood, and sleep quality. It is also used in managing circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Proper dosing supports visual function; insufficient/poorly timed dosing can disrupt rhythms.
Adjustable CCTs & MR (day vs evening)
Light fixtures with adjustable CCT can shift MR. Higher CCTs (more blue content) generally increase MR, enabling higher melanopic lux at lower photopic lux. This is useful for meeting daytime EML targets with less glare/energy, and conversely for reducing melanopic stimulation in the evening.
Where it matters: homes, patient rooms, hotels, and evening venues—anywhere occupants may sleep within ~3 hours of exposure.
Room example: 10×10×10 ft, desk at left wall, 2×4 Circadian Sky centered; heatmaps show m-EDI at sitting height for four scenes at different CCTs and dimming levels.
Vertical vs Horizontal Illuminance (why both matter)
- Horizontal illuminance (desks, counters, floors) supports visual tasks; WELL v2 specifies minimums for comfort and visual performance.
- Vertical illuminance (walls, faces) supports perception of brightness/contrast, facial recognition, and—critically for L03—captures at‑eye exposure that drives circadian response.
Feature L03: Circadian Lighting Design
Up to 3 points. Thresholds apply to all workstations, ≥4 hours/day, starting no later than 12:00.
All spaces (except dwelling units & guest rooms)
| Tier | Threshold | With Enhanced Daylight (L05 Pt 1 or L06 Pt 1) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ≥ 150 EML (≈136 m‑EDI) | ≥ 120 EML (≈109 m‑EDI) | 1 |
| 2 | ≥ 275 EML (≈250 m‑EDI) | ≥ 180 EML (≈163 m‑EDI) | 3 |
Dwelling units & guest rooms
| Tier | Threshold | With Enhanced Daylight | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ≥ 150 EML (≈136 m‑EDI) | ≥ 120 EML (≈109 m‑EDI) | 1 |
| 2 | ≥ 275 EML (≈250 m‑EDI) | ≥ 180 EML (≈163 m‑EDI) | 3 |
Innerscene Advantage (daytime cues with comfort)
What Innerscene provides
Circadian Sky (diffuse "sky" optic) and Virtual Sun (focused "sun" optic) deliver daytime sky cues and controlled visual balance. Scenes are tunable across a broad CCT range (~2,200 K → 40,000 K) so design teams can raise or lower melanopic ratio (MR) as needed for day vs. evening use. Typical MR up to ~1.6 enables more melanopic stimulus per lux than conventional office LED spectrum (≈3500–4000 K).
Design + verification support: IES photometry (vertical & horizontal), SPD + published M/P (MR), EML modeling at eye, UGR guidance, flicker statement (~40 kHz PWM), BIM/Revit families, submittal templates.
Beyond L03: Innerscene's Broader WELL Contributions
While L03 Circadian Lighting Design is the core feature where Innerscene's high-melanopic sky/sun optics directly support daytime EML targets, our products can contribute to up to 12 WELL v2 features across the Light and Mind concepts.
From L01 Light Exposure and L02 Visual Lighting Design through glare, balance, and quality, and into Mind features like M02, M07, and M09, Innerscene provides the spectral data, photometry, and visual strategies to help design teams align with WELL requirements.
L01 Light Exposure (precondition)
Goal: ensure appropriate indoor light exposure at the eye. Innerscene: high-M/P daytime scenes; provide IES + vertical-eye EML calculations for layout-specific verification.
Extending Contributions Beyond Light
Innerscene's impact is not limited to the Light concept. Our products also support selected Mind features in WELL v2 that emphasize connection to nature, restorative spaces, and overall well-being. These are presented separately from the Light feature list for clarity.
M02 Nature and Place (precondition; partial contribution)
Goal: Maintain a consistent connection to nature.
Innerscene: Sky-like apertures (ceiling or wall) provide reliable blue-sky cues in deep-plan interiors.
M03 (project-dependent; confirm title/scope)
Note: M03 is not included in the provided guide; contribution depends on the project's selected Mind feature.
Action: Confirm the exact WELL v2 M03 title/scope to determine applicability of lighting.
M07 Restorative Spaces (1 pt; partial)
Goal: Create spaces that support restoration and stress relief.
Innerscene: Warm, low-MR scenes and expansive sky views help foster calm, restorative environments.
M09 Enhanced Access to Nature (1 pt; partial)
Goal: Expand access to outdoor nature, including "blue-space."
Innerscene: Virtual sky views extend perceived access to sky and daylight deeper into the plan.
The Next Step
Supporting circadian health, comfort, and connection to nature is at the heart of WELL—and it's at the heart of Innerscene.
Our Circadian Sky and Virtual Sun products give design teams a practical way to bring WELL concepts to life—delivering measurable circadian performance, visual comfort, and a natural sense of daylight in any space.