Solar superforces Inside

Circadian lighting, also known as integrative lighting, aims to create a lighting environment that mimics natural daylight. The natural daylight provided by the sun is crucial for people's circadian rhythm, sleep quality, mood and productivity.

Circadian lighting allows luminaires to mimic the natural light that varies throughout the day, from morning to evening, for example through light colour and intensity. In the middle of the day, the lighting can be bright and bluish when the sun is highest in the sky, while in the evening it gradually changes to a warmer, more subdued and amber-coloured light to mimic the sunset, which creates a smooth transition to night lighting. By mimicking the sun's natural light, the lighting can help support the circadian rhythm of patients and staff. This can improve sleep quality at night and increase alertness during the day.

At Mary Elizabeth Hospital, circadian lighting is implemented that can be controlled automatically via sensors and a control panel. The lighting can therefore be customised according to the needs and function of specific areas and environments in the hospital.

Without light and rest, the hero is no good!

Illness or hospitalisation can be associated with pain, stress and anxiety, which can disrupt patients' sleep rhythms. Circadian lighting and night lighting can support hormone production, which affects circadian rhythms and can help promote regular and deep sleep. Sleep and rest are crucial for patients' recovery and healing.

Patients' mood and mental wellbeing are also affected by lighting. Research has shown that human exposure to light is crucial for the brain's production of hormones such as the stress hormone cortisol and the sleep hormone melatonin. The brain's hormone production is regulated by the colour temperature and intensity of light, where bright blue light supports the production of cortisol, while dim amber light supports the production of melatonin. Therefore, the specially developed night lighting helps support the natural production of melatonin hormones.

From biology to technical reality

When developing the luminaires for Mary Elizabeths Hospital, we at Teamtronic work with complex technologies and components that make it possible to meet the extraordinarily high demands placed on the innovative building. In our own lighting laboratory with advanced measuring equipment, we continuously test the development of the luminaires to meet requirements and standards.

"Among the technical specifications for healthcare lighting, we work extensively with melanopic edi and photopic lux. In its simplicity, this is how much a light source affects the human circadian rhythm. In this project, the focus is on achieving specific melanopic lux at certain times of the day," says Mathias Joachim Larsen, Teamtronics Project Manager at Mary Elizabeths Hospital, and elaborates: "When working with melanopic edi, the colour spectrum and intensity of the light is of particular interest when designing lighting that provides the best biological response."

As part of the quality assurance process, Teamtronic sends the thoroughly tested luminaires for third-party testing at Bolls Consulting & Test Centre, which has offered professional testing and engineering services since 2001. In connection with Mary Elizabeth's Hospital, Bolls conducts thorough tests of the luminaires' lumen, CRI, kelvin, spectral distribution, light distribution, UGR value and flicker test.

With the third-party test, the results are documented and a test report is submitted as documentation and quality assurance that the luminaires comply with all applicable requirements and standards.

Read more about our third-party testing procedure for Mary Elizabeths Hospital here

Visualisation of patient rooms at Mary Elizabeths Hospital - Photo: Capital Region of Denmark, Mary Elizabeth Hospital 

The brain's hormone production of the stress hormone cortisol and the sleep hormones serotonin and melatonin is regulated by the colour temperature and intensity of light, among other things.