Part Two: Biophilic Design in Classrooms, Unlocking the Power of Light
The Secret Ingredient to a Thriving Classroom? Light!
Remember last summer's sunrise or sunset on your face? How did the light make you feel? Warm, energised, or relaxed? Imagine entering a classroom that feels more like a cosy, sunlit summer than a flickering, fluorescent box.
This isn’t just a dream. It’s the power of biophilic design, particularly the strategic use of natural and artificial light, to create an environment that fosters learning, well-being, and creativity.
In Part Two of our Blog on Biophilic design, we'll focus on the power of light, both natural and artificial. Light can dramatically transform classrooms and enhance students' learning experiences, boosting cognitive function and reducing stress.
Large Windows: A Game-Changer for Learning Environments
Large windows don’t just support biophilic design by providing a visual connection with nature; the defusion of Natural light isn’t just about vision; it has been shown to impact student performance directly.
“Daylight exposure in classrooms has been linked to improved student achievement and better health outcomes.”
Dr. Mariana Figueiro, Lighting Research Center.
While a broad statement, the evidence is undeniable if we look at the two studies:
Research by Heschong and Mahone found that students in classrooms with more daylight had test scores that were 7% to 18% higher than those in less-day-lit classrooms. They also found that students in well-daylit classrooms improved their test scores by up to 26% in reading and up to 20% in math.
They also discovered that students in classrooms with the most daylight progressed 20% to 26% faster in math and reading tests over a year than in classrooms with less daylight. Demonstrating light aided not only ability but also progression.
A study by Shishegar and Boubekri in 2016 found that schools using full-spectrum fluorescent lights or natural light observed an increase in student attendance, with students attending 3.2 to 3.8 more days per year compared to those in traditionally lit schools, which correlates with outcomes associated with outcomes or Browning and Ryan.
Browning and Ryan's biophilic toolbox from part one of our blog also shows that visual connection with nature and exposure to natural light help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, improving sleep patterns, mood, and focus. It also reduces Heart Rate, blood pressure, and visual comfort.
Are you a Ray of sunshine? – How light impacts your emotions.
Lighting affects more than the eyes; it also influences emotions and behaviour. Harsh, flickering fluorescent lights increase distraction & anxiety, which can lead to depression and other social issues.
In contrast, warm, well-distributed lighting can enhance mood and concentration, reduce stress, and improve cognitive and emotional performance.
Poor lighting has been consistently shown to increase students' cortisol (The stress hormone) levels, affecting student well-being.
That said, not all lights are equal, which leads me to dynamic lighting and how we have to adapt the lighting to fit the classroom activity; different tasks require different lighting intensities. Bright light provides the best results for reading and exams, while softer tones work better for group discussions and creative tasks.
The Philips School vision case study in Hamburg showed remarkable results from applying controllable adaptive lighting in a school environment and empowering the teachers to affect the lighting conditions. Reading speed increased by almost 35%, concentration improved dramatically and the frequency of errors dropped by nearly 45%.
Hyperactivity and aggression were also examined. Although the perceived reduction in aggression was not significant, video evidence showed a distinct change in levels of hyperactivity. Observed hyperactivity was reduced by up to 76% when pupils were given a mathematical problem to solve under the Calm lighting scene, a figure that the baseline measurement and control group did not even come close to.
“Lighting design should be as intentional as the curriculum itself. The right light at the right time can significantly enhance cognitive function.”
Mark Rea, PhD, Lighting Scientist
Different colour temperatures have different psychological effects. Cool white light promotes alertness, while warm light fosters relaxation and creativity. Four adaptive light settings should be considered for the task in the classroom.
Focus (4000-6000K cool white): Used for exams and reading tasks to enhance concentration.
Calm (2700K warm white): Employed post-recess to reduce restlessness.
Energy (blue-rich light): Activated morning/afternoon to combat fatigue.
Normal: Baseline for routine activities.
Artificial Lighting Done Right
While natural light is ideal, artificial lighting plays a crucial role, especially in existing classrooms with limited daylight access. The key is choosing energy-efficient, high-quality lighting that mimics sunlight's benefits without the drawbacks of traditional fluorescent bulbs.
We need to implement dynamic lighting in our classrooms, a system that can adjust both the intensity and colour of light. By doing so, we can create an environment that enhances mood and boosts cognitive performance among students. The ability to manipulate light not only fosters an engaging atmosphere but also promotes focus and creativity, ultimately enriching the learning experience.
Finally, we have to ensure there is enough light in our classrooms. The Lighting Impact Study examines whether current lux recommendations are good enough and how this could impact students' performance and well-being. This builds on a study by the University of Salford, which found that improving classroom lighting led to a 16% boost in student progress over a single academic year.
Practical Tips: What can you do?
Incorporate dimmable LED lights that offer both cold and warm tones to simulate the gentle variations of natural daylight. This thoughtful lighting choice can help establish a soothing environment, particularly benefiting younger children or students with sensory sensitivities. By adjusting the brightness and colour temperature, you can create a calming atmosphere that reduces anxiety and enhances comfort, making it an ideal setting for relaxation, or you can adopt colder tones during deep assessment work to establish focused learning—ensuring that these lighting systems are programmable and tunable LED systems that allow teachers to adjust brightness and colour temperature depending on the activity as well as mimicking the natural lighting patterns when in normal mode.
Maximise classroom windows and use reflective surfaces to distribute daylight evenly. Ensure that windows are free from obstruction and that blinds are only utilised when essential. Reflective materials can be as simple as satin pastel paint or the strategic use of reflective materials on display boards. Consider large vision panels for interior rooms that lack direct window access and even in the main classroom if the corridors are well-lit.
If designing a new building, ensure that you maximise daylighting into the building by considering building orientation south, facing classrooms north, facing corridors and break-out rooms. Next, ensure the optimum room geometry. A depth-to-width ratio 2:1 shouldn't be exceeded without a dual aspect or additional roof glazing to ensure suitable natural lighting. Finally, ensure that the lighting specification is programmable, kelvin adjustable, and lux dimmable to mimic natural lighting and tune for the appropriate activity to get the best out of the students.
A Brighter Future for Learning
While I have mentioned SEND (Special educational needs and Disabilities) and ASN (additional support Needs) as my preferred terminology, I would like to reiterate my mantra.
“Good design is good design for everybody.”
The above adjustments to learning spaces would benefit all students, especially those with neurodiversity or ASN. This is inclusivity in action, creating the optimum space for all. While such design comes at a premium, it's this sort of long-term thinking that will drive achievement, helping the UK become an intellectual powerhouse.
The impact of biophilic design in classrooms goes beyond the aesthetics of natural colours and shapes—there is nothing more natural than light! Biophilic design is about learning from nature to create an optimal learning environment that supports students' well-being and academic success.
Natural and artificial light play crucial roles in this transformation. Our schools can foster happier, healthier, and more productive classrooms by prioritising daylight exposure, dynamic lighting, and thoughtful artificial illumination.
By designing classrooms with nature in mind, we enhance education and shape the future of learning, drawing on 300,000 years of evolution. This is a reminder that our fundamental needs have remained constant despite the changes in the last century.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Natural light boosts cognitive performance and mood.
✅ Dynamic lighting adapts to different learning activities.
✅Cold, well-distributed lighting fosters focus and analytical thinking.
✅ Warm, well-distributed lighting reduces stress and anxiety and fosters creativity and communication.
✅ Artificial lighting should mimic natural daylight.
✅ The correct colour temperature enhances focus and relaxation.
✅By embracing biophilic design principles, schools can unlock the full potential of their students
