When designing lighting, it is often forgotten that in nature, daylight comes from above and not in a point form. The entire sky functions as a huge glowing surface. However, in interiors, we often encounter the opposite – the luminaires shine sharply downwards (only the direct component) and the ceiling remains dark. We call this phenomenon the “cave effect”.
Psychological impact of a dark ceiling:
A dark ceiling subconsciously evokes feelings of crampedness, anxiety and reduces the perception of the height of the room. The brain evaluates the space as closed and less safe, which can lead to a faster onset of fatigue and a decrease in cognitive performance. In addition, the sharp contrast between the glowing luminaire and the dark background of the ceiling increases the risk of glare and visual discomfort.
Spectrasol Solution: Sky Simulation Using Indirect Light
Many of our luminaires, especially pendant and floor-standing luminaires, are designed with a so-called indirect light. This means that all or at least a large part of the light is directed upwards towards the ceiling and the light is reflected from it, creating the impression of a clear sky overhead.
This achieves several fundamental advantages:
- Visual enlargement of the space: The illuminated ceiling appears higher and more airy, eliminating the cramped feeling of a cave.
- Soft diffused light: The light is softly diffused throughout the room by reflecting off the ceiling. This creates a homogeneous environment without sharp shadows, which is most pleasant for the eyes and imitates the diffuse light of the sky.
- Reducing glare: By brightening the background behind the luminaire (ceiling), the brightness contrast is reduced. The eye does not have to constantly adapt between a bright source and darkness, which significantly reduces visual fatigue.
The indirect distribution of light is another piece in the puzzle of the qualities of our procognitive lighting. In addition to the key spectral composition for non-visual biological effects, how the light behaves in space is important. We create an environment in which you feel like you are under the open sky – exactly as nature intended for your well-being and vitality.
