See the light

sciEntists havE known for some time that the human brain is regulated by its circadian rhythm, which responds primarily to light or darkness. Over a 24-hour cycle, cool blue light (day) causes the hypothalamus to suppress melatonin and so we are more energised and focused. Warm yellow light (towards sunset) enhances melatonin production so we become soporifific.

A recent study by a Dutch university, dubbed “Healthy Offiffices”, showed that adapting lighting in the workplace to follow human circadian rhythms resulted in an

18 per cent boost in reported performance and a 12 per cent spike in work accuracy, as well as a marked increase in reported happiness. (At night, though, too much blue light overstimulates the brain, which is why most smartphones now have the option of a yellow screen backlight aftfter dark.)

“Increasingly, the workplace will be regulated by sophisticated systems mimicking the body’s own natural circadian rhythm,” predicts British lighting designer Andre Tammes, who moved to Sydney to illuminate the Olympic stadium and stayed on to become a much-soughtaftfter consultant.

“Background offiffice lighting will automatically adjust its cool and warm appearance in accordance with the time of day, available daylight and periods of peak worker demand,” he says. “The appearance and intensity of localised task lighting will be controlled by the individual worker through an on-screen program.”