Good Design regards every aspect of the environment around it, as well as what it’s purpose is. A product should not only function properly for the client, but it should also consider the client itself. In recent studies and research, Lighting design has become an increased issue in health care. After reading the three various articles detailing the impact of light on the human body, it is clear to see that design reform is, inevitably going to ensue. A well-designed environment contemplates, not only the clients of the present, but also how the choices made in the present will affect those users in the future. A product that does not ensure safety to the clients should be reexamined until deemed suitable.
Anahad O’Connor’s article, ‘The Claim: Daylight Savings Time Can Effect Your Health,’ discusses the debated issue of Daylight Savings Time: the annual practice of altering the time by an hour. Though thought to conserve energy expenses, studies have shown that there may be a connection with the time change and certain health problems. The issues arise with the offset of the body’s natural clock, or the Circadian Rhythm (O’Connor, pg 1). Unable to adjust to the hour change, this internal clock is affected only by the environment. In other words, it is the light, not the time that powers our bodies. Daylight Savings may result in sleep disruption, therefore leading to health problems such as: heart problems and traffic accidents. I, for one, am intrigued by this article. Residing in a state that uses Day Light Savings, I find it difficult to imagine things any other way. Though I may be used to the changing of time, I am troubled by the studies mentioned above. It begs the question: when is the line drawn? Do people have to suffer physically to save money overall? Perhaps researchers should determine whether or not it is even worth the energy savings, and if it is, possibly attempt to find savings elsewhere. People should be able to function in their surroundings to the best of their ability.
The Study of Light and its effect on humanity is on the rise. Researchers are drawing surprising and upsetting conclusions on the subject at hand. ‘Lights At Night Are Linked To Breast Cancer,’ by Rick Weiss details the connection between lights at night and increase in breast cancer risks. According to the article, satellite images of well-lit cities had 37% more cancer reports than areas with little light at night (Weiss, pg. 2). This is due to the darkness-induced melatonin, a hormone that represses cancer. This article is both interesting and highly concerning. As students, we are faced with heavy course loads, which lead to long hours. Late nights are inevitable as well as sleep deprivation. It is now, in our youth, that we learn to manage our time sufficiently so that we have normal sleeping patterns, and aid our bodies. Nighttime bans on excessive amounts of lighting could be one solution, though rather impractical. As designers, we must find solutions to these problems at hand. More products should be designed to suppress damaging effects to the human body, products such as the energy-efficient fluorescent light bulb, which limit melatonin. It is through these designs that we can understand and improve the life quality of the human race.
The last article, ‘Influence of Architectural Lighting On Health,’ by Eve Edelstein examines the use of light in the built environment. It not only discusses the impact and negative effect of excessive light, but it also provides solutions to the problems faced. It is in our nature to respond to the patterns of light and dark, and we must respect the system our bodies have produced for us. According to the article, Health Care Facilities are of the Places that lighting control factors greatly into daily routine (Edelstein, pg. 3). Patients must have adequate light and darkness in order to recuperate. Staff, mainly those who work odd hours, must have accesses to dark and quiet spaces. Individual Light sources would be ideal for energy savings. Due to its solution-based content, I found this article to be most helpful. It sets an example of how design should be, a promotion of human health and general performance. The future of design depends on thinking such as this. We will need to adapt, for health remains the prodomidant factor.
The three articles above may discuss different aspects of lighting, but they all share a similar message: the re-evaluation of lighting design, and all that entail, is key to a healthy future. They ask, not only to look into the design of the products, but also to observe our lifestyles. Humans need to properly function in their built environments to the best of their abilities. If this is compromised, then a problem/ solution method of design need be discussed.
O'Connor, Anahad. "The Claim: Daylight Saving Time Can Affect Your Health". The New York Times. August 28, 2009
Weiss, Rick. "Lights at Night Are Linked to Breast Cancer". The Washington Post. August 28, 2009
Edelstein, Eve. "Implications: Influence of Architectural Lighting On Health". InformeDesign. August 28, 2009
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