Natural Light Could Be the Best Medicine

With their design for a hospital room that maximizes the benefits of natural light, researchers from the Technion Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning are exploring how incorporating natural light into inpatient wards affects various aspects of health and wellbeing. The research could add credence to studies showing that such integration reduces medication consumption, shortens hospital stays, improves sleep quality, alleviates depression and stress, and even lowers mortality rates. They aim to bridge the gap between clinical outcomes and architectural decisions, bringing science directly into hospital design.

Under the supervision of Professor Guedi Capeluto, master’s student Rinat Hadashi Gannon conducted research using new tools and methods to evaluate natural light in inpatient rooms to provide design guidelines for improved inpatient health. The pair found that even slight architectural changes, including full-opening windows, overhands and adjustable blinds, and light shelves can improve daylight availability in the wards.

Using this information, Hadashi Gannon created a model room using a computer simulator. To ensure the accuracy of the computer simulations, she took measurements of natural light in inpatient rooms at Soroka Medical Center that were then used to calibrate the model. They chose a side lit two-bed inpatient room to take into account the differences in light exposure between the patient closest to the window and the patient further from the window.

Prof. Capeluto and Hadashi Gannon believe the model could contribute to the evaluation of natural light performance in the built environment and can also be applied in other contexts such as work environments and educational institutions. They also think their model can guide and benefit design and positively impact the psychological and physical state of users, their alertness and concentration, and aspects such as performance, health, and wellbeing. Ultimately, their goal is to inspire architects and healthcare providers to view light not just as a design element but as a critical component of healing.