Simulation–based evaluation of non–visual responses to daylight: proof–of–concept study of healthcare re–design

The discovery of a novel non-rod, non-cone photore-ceptor in the human eye that mediates a number of effects on the brain has sparked a growing interest in incorporating these non-visual effects of light into the design process of buildings. Appropriately–timed light exposure has the potential to stabilize and im-prove circadian rhythms, including sleep, and has di-rect stimulating effects on alertness and performance. The novel photoreceptors are more sensitive to blue light than the rods and cones used for vision, and re-spond differently to light intensity, duration, history and timing of a light exposure. The dynamic behavior of the non–visual system provides new challenges in evaluating lighting performance of buildings. In this proof–of–concept study, a novel model that predicts the non–visual responses to light is introduced. The model is used as a part of simulation–based framework for the evaluation of daylighting performance. The evaluation includes four different light pattern gener-ation methods used to investigate the influence of oc-cupants’ movements and activities on simulation re-sults. The framework is applied to the re–design of a healthcare facility. The results lead to new ideas and suggestions for future re–design.