University of Oregon Evaluates Impact of Daylight, Views, and Controllable Lighting

LDS 20 Rsch 400

Oct 22, 2019

By Craig DiLouie

In August 2019, the University of Oregon published a whitepaper, The Impact of Lighting and Views in the Workplace of the Future. The paper concludes that daylighted 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, the researchers said.

“If current trends hold, the demand for daylight, views, and personal controls will only increase,” the paper’s authors write, “and design solutions that integrate natural elements with intuitive control and automation technology will be highly favoured.” The authors include Paul Ward, Jeff Kline, and Kevin Van Den Wymelenberg of the university’s Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory and Siobhan Rockcastle of the Baker Lighting Laboratory.

Key assertions

The researchers supported their conclusions with a deep review of peer-reviewed journal articles, research, and employee surveys. These conclusions hinged on five key assertions:

  • Greater access to daylight and views correlates with greater productivity.
  • Views, particularly views of vegetation and water, increase property value.
  • Occupants value daylight and views, which contribute to employee retention and may aid recruitment by influencing initial space impressions.
  • Shading control systems can have a significantly positive impact on occupant comfort.
  • Personal dimming control improves occupant satisfaction, while colour tuning offers potential to influence mood.

Granular design

“In the past, we spent a lot of energy trying to make our lighting systems as uniform as possible,” said Rockcastle, Director of the University of Oregon’s Baker Lighting Lab. “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.” Specifically, 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,” said Van Den Wymelenberg, Director, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, 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 whitepaper 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 related to light and health.

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.

Personal dimming and shading

Lighting and shading controls give occupants the ability to control daylight and optimize local lighting conditions to preference and task. The whitepaper references four studies correlating personal dimming controls with increased occupant satisfaction. It then cites multiple studies demonstrating occupants are more satisfied when they have shading controls, though pointing to evidence suggesting an optimal solution is a hybrid automatic-manual system.

“Personal controls can be considered an integral part of a careful daylighting scheme that also considers building form, aperture size and orientation, interior space layouts, furniture designs, daylight and solar controls, and integrated lighting controls,” the researchers stated in their conclusions. “We recommend a complementary approach, based on such a scheme, using a combination of automated solar and electric lighting control systems along with personal controls with automated system overrides. This approach can help modulate illumination, glare, solar gain, access to view, and circadian stimulus to produce individualized, comfortable, and healthy visual environments.”

Read the whitepaper, which was sponsored by Lutron Electronics HERE

Craig DiLouie, LC, is Education Director for the Lighting Controls Association. Reprinted with permission of the Lighting Controls Association, www.lightingcontrolsassociation.org

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE Expands Ontario Presence with New Specification Agent

    LEDVANCE is pleased to announce the appointment of Sterling Architectural Products Ltd. (Sterling Lights) as their new specification agent in Ontario. This partnership strengthens LEDVANCE’s presence in the region and reinforces their commitment to serving the professional lighting design and specification community with innovative, reliable lighting solutions. With decades of experience and a service-driven mindset,… Read More…

  • May 29, 2025 - Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka Wins Three 2025 Red Dot Awards for Product Design

    Eureka is pleased to announce that its Velia, Cirra, and Junction luminaires have each received a 2025 Red Dot Design Award for Product Design. It is the 11th consecutive year that Eureka products have been honored with this prestigious award, which is a testament to the company’s consistency and relentless drive to design exceptional luminaires.… Read More…


Design

  • The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    The Difference Between Accent, Ambient & Task Lighting: Ultimate Guide

    In interior design, lighting is not just about brightening the room. Sensitive lighting layout is the key in the whole aesthetic atmosphere. An outstanding lighting solution will not rely on one type of fixture. Rather, it is through the combination of different types of lighting. Accent, ambient, and task lighting are three basic types of… Read More…

  • Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors Enhance Their Office Space, Incorporating State-Of-The-Art Lighting Solutions

    Graphic Office Interiors, a renowned office design and furnishings company serving Vancouver Island since 1966, embarked on a unique lighting project for their personal office in Saanichton, BC. This project marked the first collaboration between Kelly Inglis of Mac’s II Agencies and Graphic Office Interiors’ in-house registered interior designer, Laura Harlos. Known for their exclusive Steelcase furniture line, modular moveable… Read More…


New Products

  • Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    Amico: SOLAR ECLIPSE – 2X4 Multi-Functional Luminaire

    The Solar Eclipse Series provides a multi-functional luminaire that supports the demands of the hospital environment. The sleek and modern design merges architectural aesthetics with exceptional lighting performance to improve patient comfort while maximizing clinical efficiencies. This architectural patient room fixture offers reading, ambient, and exam functionalities and an optional night light. Multi-functional capabilities provide… Read More…

  • Signify: Unleash Colors from Your TV Screen with New WiZ HDMI Sync Box

    Signify: Unleash Colors from Your TV Screen with New WiZ HDMI Sync Box

    Signify has announced the release of new TV sync features and products for its smart lighting brand WiZ, enabling users to effortlessly immerse themselves in a world of dynamic colors and moods. With the new WiZ HDMI Sync Box with TV backlight, users now have an easy and affordable way to sync lights to their… Read More…