Optimizing Lighting Design in Educational Settings for Enhanced Cognitive Performance: a Literature Review

Abstract

Lighting has more functions than simply illuminating spaces. For humans, light is the main signal that aligns our body's internal clock, regulating circadian rhythms. This process instructs our bodies to wake up in the morning, become alert during the day, and feel sleepy at night. Disruption of these rhythms can impact neurological and psychiatric health, including cognitive performance. We can utilize light for mood improvements and better cognitive performance to create a suitable learning environment for students in educational buildings. These non-visual effects of light need to be considered from the beginning of the design process, making an interdisciplinary effort necessary. Even with adequate light and dark, the human eye reacts differently under various conditions, influenced by light's photometric and colorimetric properties. While natural sunlight is ideal for aligning with our biological clock, it is not always sufficient, making artificial lighting essential indoors. LED technology offers promising solutions, catering to our non-visual needs in the absence of natural light and providing energy efficiency. This study reviews the literature that includes students' cognitive performance and well-being, energy efficiency, running costs, and environment-related issues such as light pollution. It aims to explore the impact of lighting design in learning environments.