Webinar: Designing Lighting for Human Biology: An Exploration of the Impact of Lighting on Health and Well-Being in a Post-COVID World

As the COVID-19 pandemic has played out on the world stage, health and wellness have become a top priority for individuals and organizations everywhere. This presentation will explore the relationship between lighting, human biology, and well-being in a post-pandemic world. Research in the field of chronobiology, the science of biological rhythms, has shown that light is a synchronizing agent that regulates the region of our brain that controls our circadian rhythms. A human-centric approach to circadian lighting is at the forefront of emerging design trends as the world prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional well-being in the built environment. LED, UV, and circadian technology are positioned to lead the digital-first approach to enrich human experience and health.

Findings on specific light wavelengths and colours have further enhanced our understanding of how light and illumination have both a biological and behavioral impact on us. Appropriate lighting quality and rhythm promote wellness by matching our biological 24-hour clock. We have evolved to respond to natural cool and warm light cues that keep us alert during the workday or lull us to rest in the evenings. Intentional lighting interventions can be applied to promote healthy circadian rhythms, match our biological needs, and sync the human clock with the clock on the wall.

By unpacking “physiological architecture” and its implications for industry professionals, we will discuss the benefits of considering how illumination levels, wavelengths and perceived colour impact our health, mood, productivity, and cognitive acuity. By understanding the science of light and its impact on human biology, we can learn how to best support health and wellness in the post-COVID-19 world.

AIA accredited talk for 1 Learning Credit.

SPEAKER: Victor Quezada, MFA, MIES, Lighting Artist
Victor is a Lighting Artist at AES. He has specialized in lighting design since 2008 when he founded Render Light and Planning, Inc. Victor holds an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts and has a strong background in visual and conceptual art. His design and product expertise contribute to a project’s overall beauty and sustainability and facilitates the aesthetic integration of the lighting solution with the overall architecture and built environment.

Registrations costs will be donated to Sunrise Healing Lodge Society here in Calgary. Sunrise Healing Lodge Society has provided Indigenous-based programs dealing with addictions in the community. We help men, women, and their families recover from the destructive effects of alcohol, drug, and gambling addictions.