In the quest to make buildings more fun, more inviting and create the ideal environment why not take a look a Biophilic Design. While this concept has been around since the 80's, it never gained a lot of interest until the WELL building standard was developed. We took a look at Soft Form Lighting and how they can help achieve Biophilic Design by using large form surfaces that double as a light fixture.
Soft Form Lighting creates a series of standard sizes like 1x4, 2x2, 4x4 , but can also do any custom rectilinear shape. The Primary lens material is fabric, making it easy to maintain, wash, and refresh the look in your space over time.
For a quick breakdown on the WELL Building standard (#54) for Circadian it is listed below:
PART 1 Melanopic Light Intensity for Work Areas
VERIFICATIONLight models or light calculations demonstrate that at least one of the following requirements is met:a.At 75% or more of workstations, at least 200 equivalent melanopic lux is present, measured on the vertical plane facing forward, 1.2 m [4 ft] above finished floor (to simulate the view of the occupant). This light level may incorporate daylight, and is present for at least the hours between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM for every day of the year.b.174For all workstations, electric lights provide maintained illuminance on the vertical plane facing forward (to simulate the view of the occupant) of 150 equivalent melanopic lux or greater.
PART 2 Melanopic Light Intensity in Living Environments
In all bedrooms, bathrooms, and rooms with windows, one or more fixtures provide the following:a.During the daytime, 200 or more equivalent melanopic lux as measured facing the wall in the center of the room 1.2 m [4 ft] above the finished floor. The lights may be dimmed in the presence of daylight, but are able to independently achieve these levels.b.During the nighttime, lights provide not more than 50 equivalent melanopic lux (to the extent allowable by code) as measured 0.76 m [30 inches] above the finished floor.
PART 3 Melanopic Light Intensity in Breakrooms
Workplaces where employees spend most of their time in spaces with light levels limited by work type (such as restaurant servers or hospital ward workers) have break rooms which meet the following requirement:a.Lights provide a maintained average of at least 250 equivalent melanopic lux as measured on the vertical plane facing forward at surfaces 1.2 m [4 ft] above finished floor. The lights may be dimmed in the presence of daylight, but are able to independently achieve these levels.
PART 4 Melanopic Light Intensity in Learning Areas
At least one of the following requirements is met:a.Early education, primary and secondary schools, and adult education for students primarily under 25 years of age: Light models (which may incorporate daylight) show that at least 125 equivalent melanopic lux is present at 75% or more of desks, on the vertical plane facing forward 1.2 m [4 ft] above finished floor (to simulate the view of the occupant). This light level is present for at least 4 hours per day for every day of the year.b.139Ambient lights provide maintained illuminance on the vertical plane of equivalent melanopic lux greater than or equal to the lux recommendations in the Vertical (Ev) Targets in Table 3 of IES-ANSI RP-3-13, following the age group category most appropriate for the population serviced by the school. For example, art studios in primary and secondary school are provided with 150 equivalent melanopic lux from the electric lights.
Learn more about WELL at: