Lighting in sustainable, healthy buildings
Jul 20 2021
The concept of a green building - buildings that have a positive impact on the climate and the environment - is now becoming an industry standard rather than just a goal.
The theory is being consolidated in new, practical building and renovation projects sponsored by both public and private institutions.
In order for us to enjoy cities where most buildings are sustainable, we need the involvement of different sectors, and the lighting industry is no exception. Green buildings are a holistic process that affects the design, construction and use of these sustainable buildings. We need the involvement of different parties in order to ensure that buildings’ energy efficiency will be harnessed to their full potential.
For some years now, several organisations have been working to achieve the goal of having sustainable buildings that help to both care for the environment and curb climate change. This awareness is driven by regulatory changes, but also by the demands of a society that is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of caring for the planet's health as well as its own, both physically and emotionally. Not only that, but it is also more aware of how different spaces – namely offices or homes - affect environmental sustainability and personal well-being.
Among the initiatives that are being carried out in order to achieve sustainable and healthy buildings are those of some non-profit organisations such as the World Green Building Council, whose aim is to coordinate and provide assistance to the different sectors involved in the task of making these spaces a common reality. Through these organisations, it is possible to consult and obtain various certifications referring to different areas of construction that guarantee their environmental sustainability. One such example is the Spanish VERDE certification, which is an added value for newly constructed or refurbished buildings.
GREEN HEALTHY BUILDINGS
The sustainability of buildings is not only about energy efficiency, but is a goal that also covers the health and well-being of the people who live in or use them. The design, construction and use of sustainable buildings is focused on achieving green buildings that are good for the environment, as well as healthy homes that are good for people's lives.
An example of this type of green, healthy building is the Slow Building Barcelona in San Cugat del Vallés (Barcelona), where the lighting design is conceived in terms of energy efficiency, and also as a way of providing comfort and well-being.
Another example of green, healthy lighting is the new Wellbeing Technology from LAMP. This technology is based on an LED light source integrated into the luminaire, which is a light source that reduces consumption compared to previous light sources (non-LED), with the extra bonus that it focuses on providing well-being for users.
Because of this, it reduces the more harmful emissions of artificial light, while optimising the emissions that activate circadian stimulation, achieving artificial lighting that helps to simulate the cycles of natural light that affect our biorhythms. At the same time, it offers high light quality, with a high colour rendering index (CRI 97) and a high R9 index of over 80, making it an ideal solution for certifications focused on people's physical and mental well-being, as in the case of the WELL Health-Safety Seal.
LIGHTING IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
In order to talk about sustainability, we need to go beyond simply the architecture of green buildings. Their design and construction are very important to lay the foundation for the interior and exterior of the sustainable building, but another key factor is how resources are managed on a day-to-day basis.
Lighting contributes to the sustainability requirements that define green buildings in a number of different ways. These requirements include the use of natural resources, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and non-toxic and recycled materials, as well as the need to consider the quality of life of those who will live or work in the buildings. Lighting in green buildings takes into account all these characteristics with, for example, the use of low-consumption luminaires, the use of recycled materials such as in the Stormbell 80 luminaire, the combination of artificial and natural light, and the versatility in the types of light used to adapt them to the needs of the different areas and spaces in the buildings.
One way to control energy consumption without neglecting the needs of the buildings and their occupants is smart lighting, which uses new technology to optimise resources and, in this way, they help to achieve the desired near-zero consumption.
Trends in the lighting sector point to digitalisation and connectivity as forms of control that ensure responsible energy consumption. Lighting management should help to ensure that the energy consumed by a building is what it really needs.
Smart lighting, in addition to offering tools for energy-efficient management, also provides flexibility, enabling versatile solutions that will offer greater comfort and well-being.