What is HCL?

What does that mean? Very simple: the human being is at the centre of a lighting concept. At the beginning of the 21st century, researchers discovered a third photoreceptor in the human eye, which has nothing to do with the actual visual ability. In fact, it regulates our inner clock, controls the day-night rhythm and influences our well-being.

 

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING

With this discovery, it became clear that artificial lighting has to meet many more requirements than simply providing light. Regardless of the sector. Lighting in the workplace, for example, should motivate and promote concentration. At home, on the other hand, it should be cosy and pleasant at the end of the working day.

The biological effects of light cannot be ignored and are therefore increasingly being taken into account in the planning of lighting concepts.

 

 

THE NATURAL RHYTHM WITH HCL

HCL skilfully transfers the natural interplay of daylight, twilight and night to interiors and thus makes use of the biological effect of different lighting moods. Biologists, psychologists, architects and lighting designers now often work hand in hand.

Life is regulated by time and space. 365 days, 24 hours, day, night, seasons in different places – everything has a rhythm and a dynamic. In the course of time, man has become accustomed to this natural rhythm and the body has adjusted to it. With the HCL – Lighting Design we reproduce this biological process, even better: we can even change bad habits, we can adjust rooms with little or no daylight to it and with the artificial, dynamic lighting we can positively influence our life. Dynamic light brings more quality of life, performance and well-being.

 

 

HCL AND HEALTH FACTOR

Proper lighting also plays a role in the healthcare sector. Light therapy is used to treat depression and symptoms of fatigue, among other things. Dynamic light helps to restore the human bio-rhythm and to keep the inner clock ticking correctly. We can sleep better again, we are fitter in the morning and more concentrated at work. Hospitals and nursing homes are already working with HCL light concepts

 

VERY SHORT:

In the morning: Sunrise – it becomes bright, the body produces hormones to wake up and get fit

Midday: Daylight with a high blue component and luminosity, keeps us awake and concentrated

Evening: Warm sunset light brings the body down, relaxes and makes us tired

 

 

HUMAN CENTRIC LIGHTING CONCEPT

 

Thus, HCL lighting concepts use luminaires and lamps in various luminous intensities and colour temperatures that simulate the natural rhythm at different times of day. Decisive factors are the conditions that are simulated by daylight:

1. illuminance
2. direction of light
3. colour temperature

are three of many. Smart lighting control systems can be set up to control the system, which automatically regulate the process independently according to the time of year, day and time. Of course, this can also be controlled manually. Surely, infinitely variable and dimmable systems that don’t even attract attention are best.

HCL APPLICATION AREAS

3 useful applications for HCL concepts in which proven effects are achieved:

1. office / workplace
2. school / educational institution
3. at home

 

HUMAN CENTRIC LIGHTING IN THE OFFICE

Dynamic lighting according to the HCL principle is extremely useful, especially at workplaces with little daylight. Not only the light intensity alone should be considered, but also the direction of light and colour temperature. Stimulating, direct morning light at the start of work, cool, somewhat diffuse daylight to counteract the midday lull, slow fading away to warmer light colours towards the end of the day.

Various companies confirm an increase in performance and productivity of their employees, which outweighs the additional costs for an HCL concept. Also the general mood and the general well-being of the employees are said to have had a positive effect.

 

 

HCL IN SCHOOLS

Teachers and lecturers can select the right lighting scene for different requirements at the touch of a button.

• Cold white, relatively direct light for activating and waking up in the morning for the first lesson
• Natural, non-directional daylight for concentrated work and during examinations and tests
• Warm white light to calm heated moods and excited students after hectic hours or exams

Some studies have also shown amazing performance improvements in this area using dynamic classroom lighting. Not only decreasing error rates, but general effects such as sociable and balanced children.

 

 

DYNAMIC LIGHTING AT HOME

All these findings can of course also be applied to the private home. For this we need different light sources, which are used at different times of the day.

A good idea are daylight alarm clocks, for example, which use a simulated sunrise to get the body’s own hormone balance going. Large-area lamps with daylight of white colour temperature for rooms with little or no natural light. To support relaxation in the evening or in the bedroom, dimmable lamps with warm light colour are ideal.

In this way, we can adjust the lighting mood to our biological rhythm at home at any time and thus do something good for our health and well-being.

 

 

 

With the LED illuminants from SEGULA we can offer a good lighting solution for many applications!

Examples:

 

 

A beautiful tube from the SEGULA Bright Line – with a colour temperature of 4200 Kelvin and high lumen output of 4250 lumen. As a contrast, e.g. for cosy hours on the sofa, a golden Rustika with 2000 Kelvin warm white colour and vintage character. So we find the ideal solution for every room! For sure these can be a good idea for your light planning at home!

Another highlight is the SEGULA Ambient Line. Different light colours in ONE LED illuminant with the Ambient Dimming Technology! With the fully dimmable illuminants it is even possible to change the light colour while dimming. For every demand the right mood. In the video: The shapely Ambient Dimming LED lamp “Trumpet”, which not only cuts a good figure when illuminated!