The Spirit of Things, Biophilic Light in Urban Environments

Abstract: This thesis looks to human biophilic response to natural environments, seeking to uncover methods to aid human health and well-being in urban environments. Light is explored as a source of soft fascination and as a tool to support cognition based on attention restoration theory and mind-wandering. Its biophilic potential is primarily linked to the direct visual experience of light itself but also to the ability of light to influence spatial perception. This forms the theoretical basis for a lighting design concept for an underground subway station in Stockholm. The concept draws inspiration directly from dappled light pattern found in nature which is translated for the urban environment. To contextualize the concept and its underlying theory it is related to a selection of project examples. Evaluation and analysis of the examples is used to define and point out an existing tradition of biophilic lighting design.