In their shoes (or bed ;-) – and the pros and cons of incandescent lightbulbs

In their shoes (or bed 😉

I spend a lot of time looking at lighting from a patient’s or resident’s perspective – that includes what they see while lying down in bed, as many do for hours on end.

There is some excellent research on visual discomfort and ceilings in offices – here are a couple of conference papers – one from the CIE in 2019 – Visual discomfort associated with ceiling luminaires: Observations, trends and challenges 2009 -2018.

And a more recent piece – The Impact of Interior Lighting on Health and Visual Comfort.

And a growing number addressing the unique demands in the healthcare sector – Analysis of ward lighting environment and design of comfortable ward lighting, Barriers and facilitators of workplace visual comfort from the perspective of hospital staff: a qualitative study.

But those insights are rarely reflected in the spaces I see – it’s often a pretty uncomfortable picture – downlights and panels dropped into an M&E consultant’s grid with little or no regard for the position of the pillow, and the occasional shallow headboard light that delivers a disorienting line of light in the top of the visual field while lying down – or deep shadows acros the face while sitting up, making communication with a loved one or a carer even more demanding.

So it was a delight to see this bonkers ceiling treatment at the Mama Shelter hotel in Hackney.

I’m not suggesting for a moment that we add graphics to the ceilings in care settings – although why not if the situation permits?

But I am suggesting we can, and should, do better for those who have so little choice about where they spend their time and where they direct their gaze.

The first fairy lights really were for fairies… 

Greetings from the place where the term ‘fairy light’ was first coined back in 1882: the Savoy Theatre in London’s Strand. Sir Joseph Swan, a British-born inventor, was commissioned to create miniature lights to add sparkle to the dresses of the lead fairies on the opening night of the Gilbert and Sullivan musical Iolanthe – The secret history behind YOUR Christmas tree: How fairy lights began on the West End stage, tinsel emerged in Germany in the 17th century and Queen Victoria popularised baubles.

Question…

If LEDs are so bad for us, shouldn’t we just go back to old-fashioned incandescent lights? 

I’m often asked this question. 

And the answer is: 

Yes if you look at that spectrum from the bedside lamp in my B&B in Canterbury last week –  especially if you compare that with the spectrum from the bathroom downlights or the ‘upgraded’ bathroom bulkhead.

But check out the scorch marks on the lampshade – a timely reminder of the safety risk from the heat given off byf these old technologies – and the environmental cost too.

LED’s as they’re currently engineered cannot deliver those infra-red wavelengths, but a good-quality full-spectrum LED with the right optics and a high-quality driver and compatible controls can deliver beautiful, comfortable, elegant lighting without costing the earth.

Wishing everyone a magical holiday and a healthy and peaceful, bright and brilliant year to come.