Carlo Volf: Good Lighting is a Basic Human Right

Architect Carlo Volf emphasizes the importance of prioritizing light in every construction project, including future hospitals.

However, it is important to note that light should not be deprived of its essential qualities by energy films and coatings. Instead, natural daylight should be utilized in relation to the orientation of the building and should work harmoniously with the necessary artificial light. Currently, Carlo Volf is working on a PhD thesis titled "Light and Well-being in the Interplay between Daylight and Artificial Light".

— Light is fascinating because it holds significant meaning for humans. The idea that our eyes are not only a window to the world but also a window into ourselves makes sense when considering the numerous signals our eyes transmit to the rest of our bodies. In this context, light is one of the most influential factors in our well-being. The latest research consistently supports the positive impact of daylight on our overall health and highlights how our circadian rhythm is stimulated by natural-spectrum daylight. Our immune system, in the form of Thymus cells, is strengthened by sunlight. Daylight is crucial for both our mental and physical well-being. So, I ask: How can light, which is so closely connected to our well-being, be treated so insensitively in many buildings where people spend 24 hours a day, such as hospitals? Good lighting is a basic human right, says Carlo Volf.

Light and its impact on health in hospitals

The connection between light and health is fascinating, according to Carlo Volf. He explains that architects and doctors have historically prescribed light and fresh air as healing factors. However, the modern-day hospital is often characterized by lower ceilings and larger, deeper structures, resulting in diminished natural daylight. To compound the issue, artificial lighting often lacks proper colour and shadow rendition. A research project conducted in 2009, focusing on lighting studies at Rigshospitalet, found that both patients and staff demand improved lighting conditions.

— By utilizing better light sources and dynamic/daylight-integrated lighting, significant improvements can be achieved with relatively minimal investment, leading to tangible operational savings. In my PhD thesis, I continue to focus on hospitals, specifically in patient rooms, as patients and staff inhabit these spaces around the clock, he says.

Diminished daylight through treated windows

— Today, we have a deep understanding of the positive impact that daylight has on our overall well-being. It is paradoxical, then, how little pure daylight actually enters our buildings, says Carlo Volf, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing natural light in construction projects.

— Today, windows often consist of three layers of glass with either argon or krypton in between. Additionally, various energy films and coatings are used, preventing certain parts of the light spectrum from entering. This alters and diminishes the normal spectral distribution of daylight, depending on the amount of glass present in a building. The new energy and insulation requirements mean that heat cannot escape. In summary, this results in a situation where we receive "incorrect" daylight with a compromised spectral distribution. Through the use of coatings and tinting on glass surfaces, the light output can be reduced by up to 85%, he explains, adding: 

— My hope is to apply my research in practice by recommending the use of "pure" glass - and influence both architects, engineers, and other planners of future construction.

Light with healing and cost-efficient value

— My fascination with light stems from years of working with light and form. I view light as a catalyst for shaping the world around us. Without light, there would be no form. Light is never a passive medium, but an active participant. This holds true for both architecture and human well-being. My PhD thesis explores both aspects, encompassing practical investigations and theoretical analysis. In the final stages, the practical case studies and theory are intertwined in a concluding and visionary section, says Carlo Volf, before he concludes:

— In the last months of 2011, I will conduct a series of psychologically evidence-based experiments focused on hospital lighting and its impact on patient well-being and recovery. This research is being conducted in collaboration with Canadian environmental psychologist Jennifer Veitch from the Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada. The aim is to delve deeper into how patients and hospital staff perceive the relationship between natural and artificial light in terms of orientation, and how it can be balanced.