The light that the heart wants
Virtual Reality research by Zumtobel: The effect of light on psychology in city buildings
Whether we are in the Grand Canyon or in a crowded city center, our environment has a significant impact on our thoughts, emotions and psychological reactions. From there, Colin Ellard, Neuroscientist and Director of the University of Waterloo Urban Facts Laboratory, named his most recent book “Places of the Heart Ever.
Inspired by Ellard's experience, Zumtobel tested the future-oriented virtual reality method for psychological light application research in the outer space. To this end, the company's products in the new outdoor luminaire portfolio have been integrated into the Ludwig square in the center of Darmstadt, Germany. The validity of this experiential attempt has been proved. According to the data obtained, human beings can be psychologically supported at night by light and design compositions.
The dynamism, intensity, distribution and color of the light affect our emotions and behavior in every aspect of life. Therefore, lighting design in the city requires interdisciplinary studies, especially considering the factors that will affect psychologically. From the German Geological Research Center in Potsdam Christopher Kyba criticizes the way many science disciplines work on their own and demands the introduction of a “Night Institute“.
Introducing its new outdoor product portfolio, Zumtobel always follows a single goal through Human Scale Lighting: The measure of lighting is human! At night, with the help of light creates a filter effect that people perceive their environment. This filter moves between the individual and the reality of the night. However, lighting design for the night is often made according to technical possibilities or economic considerations. On the one hand, scenarios are based on the theory that olursa the more the better,, and on the other side, there are increasing ideas of creating lighting that will prevent light pollution. In both groups, it leads to lighting solutions that alienate the environment in urban areas and cannot find the balance between nature and human. Such light solutions are far from our needs, interaction and expectations. The history, social relationship and identity of the place to be illuminated are also ignored.
Light and other design parameters affect emotions. Emotions affect the quality or duration of being in the urban environment. Based on these assumptions, Zumtobel made observations according to the objectives of “Human Scale Lighting ve and investigated the effect of light on people's emotions at the virtual Ludwig square in Darmstadt. Psychological factors were based on the opposite pair of adjectives (Semantic Difference).
The idea of research on the display of light in the urban outdoor area
Dr. Zumtobel is an expert in the field of light simulations for the idea and implementation of the research study. He convinced Roland Greule (Lichtplanungsburo Greule, Hamburg / Germany). Greule's Media Technique, HAW Hamburg, DMI Faculty also set up the screening. He also took charge of the experiment. Other areas of expertise for the project were the support of a Master's Psychologist, Torsten Braun's lighting design office and lighting designers from Limburg, Germany.
An element of the design of urban structures is the orientation and order associated with selectivity in perception and the formation of a hierarchy of perception. According to Kevin Lynch, the city planner, he creates five images of a city: roads, borders, focal points, icons and spaces. Pedestrian zones or central locations are important for cognitive perceived maps of a city. For this reason, Ludwigs Square was chosen in Darmstadt for psychological studies on perception of 21 subjects. Professor from the Technical University After a study with Annett-Maud Joppien, it was decided to take this part of the city. As part of a workshop, the professor's graduate students in architecture, construction and design developed night light scenarios under the direction of experts and created footage related to the field via Photoshop software. The mentioned procedures were the first step in VR images in the research. The review was aimed at the following goal:
1. Outdoor light research at night, in particular the accuracy of the Virtual Reality Method to understand the effect of light on human psychology.
2. Planning recommendations for lighting design and examination of other architectural influences in central urban areas: In addition to light intensity planning for perception and emotional support, measures for urban construction such as integration of urban furniture were also considered. In addition, the new Zumtobel luminaire family “Supersystem outdoor” and “Nightsight” products have been evaluated for the effect of luminaire design and light distribution.
3. Two-stage research imaging: In the first part of the research, two-dimensional projections with different quality categories were compared (Photoshop, Relux Suite and Unity 3D). It was seen that more laborious visualizations gave more qualified evaluation.
In the immediate follow-up of the main experiment, the Oculus Rift goggles were used to determine the psychological values of the nine light scenes with up to three perspectives. Free movement of persons was not possible in this installation.
Bringing abstract values to measurable values for psychological light and perception assessment
In the stage of making light scenes measurable through VR (Virtual Reality), Lam and Flynn's psychological light evaluation results were taken as a basis. Lam described the criteria for a psychologically successful lighting design to meet human needs. For example, spatial or temporal orientation criterion, consistency, focus on specific activities, connection with daylight. Added some complementary thoughts to the outside area. He stated that criteria such as safe acting, orientation, security, pleasure, rest and warning would support the selection of environmental information. In the light of day, the environment is perceived very easily, especially if the detection process is included in the design concept. On the other hand, lack of information occurs at night due to physical, ecological and financial constraints. Therefore, according to Lam, the main task of artificial light at night is to reinforce valid information and to cover invalid information. At this stage, luminance planning is achieved by fine-tuning a foreground and background. According to Lam's results, façades, ie backgrounds, should be reasonably illuminated according to basic needs such as safe road lighting. On the other hand, the architectural elements on the front are important for a city to show itself. Therefore, for example, the central points or special meeting points for orientation must be appropriately highlighted.
Lighting designers often refer to a “classic ındaki in the 70s of the last century in psychological indicators of the effect of light. Professor of Kent State University. John Flynn argued that psychological methodology should be studied interdisciplinary. For example, he used Semantic Differential related to multidimensional scaling. Flynn's research ideas on assessing the effect of light show her expertise in light and psychology. After a factor analysis, the results of the psychological effects of light can be interpreted in three areas: u Evaluative Impressions / Pleasantness örneğin (eg relaxing / disturbing, beautiful / ugly, interesting / monotonous), “Perceptual Clarity” (eg light / dark, clear / and "Spaciousness" (for example, large / small, large / narrow).
The Bartlett School of Architecture later re-evaluated the results of a research group from University College London. However, Hawkes evaluated only two independent dimensions, which he called brightness and interest (nonconformity).
Canadian light researcher Jennifer Veitch still appreciates Flynn's creative work, which is an integral part of the IESNA Lighting Handbook. However, it also points to the methodical shortcomings of his research.
The psychological effect of light in the virtual outdoor space was measured by deriving from the results shown for the Zumtobel research. A reliability analysis proved that the scheme of bringing these abstract values into measurable values is a reliable basis for the establishment of future VR research. However, the resuscitation was incomplete. This deficiency coincides with the expression of subjects who often use words that contradict their sedative / revitalizing qualities in nighttime perception assessment. The subjects point out that both adjectives can find positive responses and do not form extremes. In research, the resuscitation indicator can be detected from time to time by a controllable study and a significantly reliable neuro-psychological measurement method. This is reflected in recent research initiatives on the effect of light.
Evaluation of light scenes through virtual reality (VR)
Six different light scenes were used for the virtual reality master experiment. For reference, Zumtobel's ers Supersystem outdoor ”luminaire product line and other light building blocks were used. A holistic composition was formed. The composition included illuminated fountains, trees and cubes as seating furniture, as well as a low level of facade lighting in the reference case. In all subsequent test scenes, a component was changed according to the reference state. For example, seating cubes were not illuminated or the facade was made brighter. An alternative product from the “Supersystem outdoor” or “Nightsight” luminaire family was used for basic lighting. The lighting design on the images remained in the background. Therefore, there were no significant differences in the assessment of the height of the luminaire or comparative luminaire for light scenes or the appearance of the luminaire product group.
Results of category types for psychological perception assessment
- Luminous Size
The problems of the sedative / stimulating factor pair have been mentioned previously. The bright reality virtual reality scene, as expected from a reference scene, has a significantly more refreshing effect. In addition, the staging of cubes, trees and fountains has a revitalizing effect. These design elements have the role of stage builder and building builder in the context of urban buildings at night as well as at night. Urban outdoor lighting design focuses mainly on lighting power / luminous intensity and equal illumination of horizontal surfaces. However, nightly perceived staging components need to be added to evaluate the brightness of an entire image. According to the experience gained from this research, urban environments can be considered as well-lit only when a design idea that covers a wide range of components is applied. In general, if the composition is enriched with a small spot of light, such as the statue of Bismarck in the fountain in our example, the squares receive a better assessment. This also applies to the illumination of building facades. In fact, the scene seen, the perceptible components of urban design, or the orientation or configuration (sitting cubes, trees, fountain) give a more matte appearance.
- Interesting degree size
A holistic composition of light creates an intimate effect and provides an advantage for emotional impact in almost all elements. In addition, an even distribution of light intensity creates a positive effect by placing it on the ground relative to the light / dark areas applied horizontally. When the additional components (sitting cubes, fountains, trees) that make up the image are not opened to perception, an uncomfortable atmosphere is created.
An unrealized tree and a virtual reality scene without an orientation point (fountain) in the center are considered ugly or negative.
An integrated image with light, a VR scene that creates a reference scene and emphasizes the figure in the fountain with light, has an immediate positive effect. There is no significant difference in the assessment of the degree of innovation. In the ranking of all the reviews, Bismarck's face, shown in an extraordinarily beautiful light, goes up in the ranking.
Scenes with illuminated sculptures and the idea of a holistic lighting design were considered relaxing. However, the high radiation intensity on the building facades has a negative effect. This test scene was evaluated as uncomfortable. In contrast, bright vertical areas were necessary for the “order” indication. They gave information that the environment was designed. The designed / un-designed expression pair provides indirect information about direction in the urban environment. The illumination of the whole Bismarck statue was perceived as a well-designed environment.
When the fountain disappears in the dark, there is a tendency to think that the environment is not designed (last row). The stage with the dimmed seating cubes also creates an undesirable feeling.
A well-structured environment does not require high radiation intensity differences on the roads. The “Supersystem outdoor” luminaire family of the company was an important part of this research. The product meets various design requirements very well, because the up and down tubes allow flexible distribution of light on other staging components, as well as horizontal and vertical areas. In this way, the sensing process starts and the environment is enhanced by contrasts. Important orientation points, such as the monument, can be highlighted by the innovative family of luminaires and precise light guidance, which allows for the desired intensity of radiation or detection planning.
Results and Forecasting
The VR study showed that a holistic light composition, which brought a wide range of perception effects, positively contributed to the formation of emotions related to a square and thus promoted the quality of presence and direction in the urban environment. Another finding showed that psychological constructs used for perception assessment in urban environment through VR were working reliably. In interdisciplinary studies with city planners, a future-oriented city can be researched. For the sense of identity, direction and security, the addition of seating furniture to the city's night view, the integration of trees and the illumination of icons are very important. Based on these results, city planners are investigating whether human-like sculptures in the public sphere affect emotions and behaviors during the night-time process. Such stone figures can be perceived as a guard or a sculpture can reduce the sense of loneliness.
The answer to this kind of question was obtained from a research on virtual reality scenes with a combination of psychological evaluation. It is possible to plan the quality of a square through the VR and thus determine in advance. In the study, subjects immediately perceived light quality and good light technique. Simple light design ideas gave bad psychological values. Visible and important areas and objects need to remain detectable in the dark. This aims to preserve the identity of the place. Environmental psychologists are talking about a setting here. The subject here is the objective assessment of the mobile person, their physical environment and the personal assessment of their actions in a particular environment.
Use of Virtual Reality research in light and perception research
The advantage of virtual reality research over a field survey is that it can be performed immediately and can be set up effectively. In addition, interfering variables such as weather, temperature, crowd of people or length of day can be eliminated. The statements obtained through this virtual reality research invite other uses of architecture to reflect. For example creating real and virtual light showrooms. Pattern creation can be reduced with Virtual Reality (VR). Now, every sector presents three-dimensional images of their new products in a VR room. The virtual room is an exciting area in the future that can show how the environment affects emotions, especially in the context of architectural psychology, and how to improve human experiences and behavior. New technology and measurement methods offer the chance to improve people's quality of life with the impact of nature and successful optimization of the structured environment. With VR and other imaging software, the common language of different disciplines becomes easier. This is the only way to create a ’Places of the Heart Coll (Collin Ellard) light from Lux or Lumen.
22AXX
GloFX Color Therapy Glasses – Chakra Mood Light Therapy Chromotherapy Glasses
