In a world increasingly dominated by artificial environments, the importance of reconnecting with nature has never been more crucial. Xander Cadisch, head of the independent research arm Light Tribe of Phos, is on a mission to illuminate the science behind biophilic design and its profound impact on human behaviour. He explores the electromagnetic spectrum explaining how light is part of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, which includes radio waves, microwaves, infrared, and ultraviolet. - As you move from red to violet in the visible light spectrum, the wavelength gets shorter and the frequency increases. He goes on to share WHY this is important to us when we design spaces.
Xander explains how we emerged out of the sea and how our eyes still carry those salt water ducts which are reminders of where we evolved from. He goes on to explain the evolutionary journey that has hardwired our brains to respond to the natural rhythms of light and colour. "We've always had these intrinsic links to the rising and setting of the sun and all these different colour variations and intensities and wavelengths that the sun gives us at night, at daytime, and then removed at night."
However, the modern human now spends a staggering 90% of their time indoors, deprived of this vital connection. "It's less than the legal requirement for maximum security prisoners," he says. This disconnect has profound consequences, as our eyes and brains are wired to thrive on the sensory experiences found in the natural world.
"Light is one of the main guiding forces to the world around us," he says. "Potentially 80% of how we interact with the world around us comes from what we see." From the way certain wavelengths can influence our mood and productivity, to the importance of shadows and contrast in creating a sense of harmony, the science behind lighting design is complex and often overlooked.
He cites the example of a study in Sacramento, where simply turning employees' desks to face a window tripled their productivity, with the business making an additional $3,000 per employee.
The solution, he believes, lies in embracing the principles of biophilic design - not just adding plants, but carefully considering texture, colour, and the interplay of light and shadow.
By reintroducing the "organized chaos" of nature into our built environments, he argues, we can unlock the full potential of our senses and improve our health, wellbeing, and productivity. It's a vision that could transform the way we design the spaces we inhabit, one wavelength at a time.
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