Light in school buildings

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Light in school buildings traditionally is from a combination of daylight and electric light to illuminate learning spaces (e.g. classrooms, labs, studios, etc.), hallways, cafeterias, offices and other interior areas. Light fixtures currently in use usually provide students and teachers with satisfactory visual performance, i.e., the ability to read a book, have lunch, or play basketball in a gymnasium. However, classroom lighting may also affect students' circadian systems, which may in turn affect test scores, attendance and behavior.[1]

Exposure to light, or lack thereof, plays a significant role in

spectrum has maximal effect on human circadian rhythms. Research has shown that when these patterns are disrupted, individuals are more susceptible to ailments such as breast cancer, obesity, sleep deprivation, mood disorders, and other health problems.[2][3][4][5]

According to

luminaires with consideration only for visual needs. Several aspects of building performance, including lighting, are fundamental in providing an environment that is conducive to learning. Facility aspects such as security and safety, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, visual comfort, and acoustic comfort conditions can affect attendance, teacher turnover rates, and occupant health.[6]

A university building designed to be primarily lit by daylight during operating hours.

Studies regarding whether daylight improves student performance (e.g., higher test scores) are inconclusive. The Heschong-Mahone Group's studies between 1999 and 2003 reported early on[8] that daylight increased academic results by 20%, but because their model was used incorrectly, it was later demonstrated that there was no significant variance due to sunlight.[9][10]

A 2009 study showed that when students were not exposed to daylight in the early part of the day, sleep times were pushed later into the evening/night.[11][12]

Measuring light

Typical measurements of light have used a dosimeter. Dosimeters measure an individual's or an object's exposure to something in the environment, such as light dosimeters and ultraviolet dosimeters.

Application and effect

Ongoing research in the light and health field will have implications on school architecture and design because studies show that it is necessary to expose students to short-wavelength light during the early part of the day to maintain circadian entrainment. Implementing "circadian light" treatment could be in the form of windows, skylights, or blue indoor lighting fixtures or blue light therapy devices.[13][1] There is also evidence that exposing rooms to natural daylight will make a room feel larger and more comfortable.[14] However there are tradeoffs, as direct penetrating sunlight can have negative effects on productivity and comfort.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b National Research Council, "Lighting and Human Performance" Chapter 5 in Green Schools: Attributes for Health and Learning. Washington, D.C.: The National Academies Press, 2007.
  2. PMID 3548332
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  3. PMID 11405333
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  4. PMID 11604480
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  5. PMID 12783938
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  6. ^ a b "Energy Star Building Upgrade Manual Facility Type: K–12 Schools Chapter 10" (PDF). Energy Star.
  7. ^ IEC Handbook
  8. ^ Heschong-Mahone Group. 1999. Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance. Fair Oaks, CA: Heschong-Mahone Group.
  9. ^ Boyce, P.R. 2004. Reviews of Technical Reports on Daylight and Productivity. Troy, NY: Lighting Research Center. Available at www.daylightdividends.org
  10. ^ Heschong-Mahone Group. 2003. Windows and Classrooms: A Study of Student Performance and the Indoor Environment. P500-03-082-A-7. Fair Oaks, CA: Heschong-Mahone Group. pp. viii
  11. PMID 20150866
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  12. JSTOR 1132351
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  13. ^ "Press Releases | LRC Newsroom".
  14. ^ Robbins, C.L. (1986). Daylighting Design and Analysis. New York, NY, USA: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
  15. ^ Eric Brossy De Dios, T.R. (2010, February 1). Integrating Daylight into School Design From the Start. Light Moves American School and University.
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