University of Oregon Publishes White Paper on Light, Views, and the Workplace Experience

The white paper, “The Impact of Lighting and Views in the Workplace of the Future,” explores how light and the visual environment impact performance, comfort, and satisfaction of the occupant

Today, the University of Oregon published a new white paper, “The Impact of Lighting and Views in the Workplace of the Future.” The paper concludes that daylit spaces with controlled lighting and views can improve occupant well-being, workplace productivity, and satisfaction by positively influencing various physiological and psychological processes. Lighting and views also impact property value and employee recruitment and retention.

Light and the visual environment impact nearly every facet of an employee’s life. Lighting directly influences mood and performance during the day and the quality of sleep at night. As new evidence expands the understanding of how specific characteristics of light and views affect human behavior and health, the emergent consensus is that increased access to light, particularly bright daylight, and views during the day can improve productivity and well-being. Occupant interactions with light and views also significantly influence the user experience within the built environment, impacting interrelated physiological and psychological responses. 

“In the past, we spent a lot of energy trying to make our lighting systems as uniform as possible.  We now know that it matters when, where, and how much light we are exposed to, and the field is working to develop lighting systems that offer more holistic benefits,” says Siobhan Rockcastle, co-author of the white paper and Director of UO’s Baker Lighting Lab.  Personal shading and electric lighting control systems can help realize the benefits of daylight and views while significantly improving comfort, satisfaction, and energy performance.

“The demand for daylight, views, and personal controls are continuing to increase in the workplace,” says white paper co-author, Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg, PhD., Director, Institute for Health in the Built Environment. “At the Institute for Health in the Built Environment, we believe that enough is known about the influence of the visual environment on human well-being and performance to recommend action.”  The white paper discusses literature indicating the value of daylight indoors to support of healthy circadian rhythms and improve sleep quality. However, the paper cautions against over-generalizing what are currently highly contextual and typically discreet findings.

We now know that it matters. The white paper recommends a measured approach to lighting practice, utilizing natural daylight where possible and electric lighting, patterned on the cycles of the natural environment, that reinforces the body’s natural rhythms. This approach should be dynamic. Studies show occupant preferences vary drastically in different contexts and the ability to respond to these changes is a key predictor of user satisfaction. Furthermore, lighting should not be evaluated only with respect to visual-task performance. The experiential qualities of daylight, as well as the natural connections fostered by views, have the potential to significantly improve aspects of health and mood.

To learn more about the emerging evidence and our interpretation, read our whitepaper here.

“The Impact of Lighting and Views in the Workplace of the Future” white paper, which was sponsored by Lutron Electronics, was presented at the Illuminating Engineering Society Annual Conference in Louisville, August 2019.

Photo © Eric Laignel of Perkins and Will