Architecture, light, and circadian biology: A scoping review

The Science of The Total Environment, vol. 955, pp. 177212

Abstract

Light-dark (LD) can support or challenge the circadian organization of physiology and health. As an indoor species, the built environment inevitably influences the patterns and intensities of our LD exposures, thereby affecting health. We reviewed to what extent architectural features have been studied alongside LD and circadian biology. Systematic screening of literature from thirty-one databases identified n = 11 relevant human- and n = 19 relevant field- and simulation- studies; the latter included exploration of LD and architectural details with pertinent reference to circadian biology. Charting and synthesis concerned architecture, LD sources and metrics, circadian biology-related parameters, and health more generally. Human studies that investigate architecture, LD, and circadian biology together are limited by few participants, few architectural features, and few measurements. Most emphasis is on window-related aspects but must be judged as first explorations (i.e., not suitable to compare e.g., glazing vs shading vs position). Novel findings include the potential for time-specific alteration of blue light transmittance through windows. Circadian-light metrics (e.g., the Circadian Stimulus) are in use but analyses of links between architecture and circadian-light metrics together with biology are lacking. In conclusion, first empirical evidence links elements of LD, architecture, and circadian biology. Novel and necessary avenues of research are discussed. • First empirical evidence links architecture, light, and circadian biology. • Modifiable architectural features (e.g., glazing) affect light exposure and circadian biology. • The Circadian Stimulus is used in architecture, but applicability is lacking. • Research gaps include the interactions of conditions provided by and within architectural spaces.

Authors 6

1. Philip Lewis corresponding

   University of Cologne · University Hospital Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany. Electronic address: philip.lewis@uk-koeln.de

2. Rania Christoforou Aachen Medical Faculty Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Healthy Living Spaces Lab

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Healthy Living Spaces Lab, Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

3. Peiman Pilechiha Aachen Medical Faculty Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Healthy Living Spaces Lab

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Healthy Living Spaces Lab, Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Ursula Wild

   University of Cologne · University Hospital Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany

5. Marcel Schweiker Aachen Medical Faculty Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Healthy Living Spaces Lab Faculty of Architecture Chair of Healthy Living Spaces

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Healthy Living Spaces Lab, Institute for Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Chair of Healthy Living Spaces, Faculty of Architecture, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

6. Thomas C. Erren

   University of Cologne · University Hospital Cologne

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute and Policlinic for Occupational Medicine, Environmental Medicine and Prevention Research, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital of Cologne, University of Cologne, Germany