Thursday, February 28, 2013
Circadian Rhythm
As my research progresses, I'm finding that the Circadian Rhythm may govern things like SAD. The Circadian Rhythm is a whole sleep-wake cycle based on a 24-hour internal clock that originally followed the sun. As you get closer to the Earth's poles, Winter and Summer change the duration of day time. For most people, waking hours do not change with the seasons, so people are awake during the dark. Most buildings do not have enough light to simulate day time. This causes chaos with the Circadian Rhythm.
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Hey!
ReplyDeleteI found a video that describes the "organic clock" in our bodies and the clip also explains certain stages of a persons sleep and what the body goes thru
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zcSFA7ymo
Hope it helps!
I just took the Circadian Rhythm test and discovered that I am indeed a night owl. I think it would be beneficial to have more light in a building during the day, maybe that would help me feel more awake and productive during the day instead of relying on my lamp at night. Sunlight has a large affect on the population and I look forward to seeing where you take your research!
ReplyDeleteGood Video!!
ReplyDeleteLorne this is an interesting proposal. Im very curious to see what you come up with. I came across a pdf that talks about UV light inside the home hopefully this can be of some use to you...
http://www.hunterlab.com/appnotes/an09_01r2.pdf
Keep updating your blog its super interesting, and now you've got me curious!
This is a great topic. You should look at the amount of daylight in our class rooms during the different seasons. I know during the winter months when we are relying solely on the interior lights, I am a lot more tired throughout the day and not as productive. As soon as the sunshine pops out and shines through the windows it seems like the class atmosphere picks up slightly and everyone is more involved in class discussions etc.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Desiree, you should definitely try and apply your research to a classroom environment. Where you planning on using your research for strictly house design or were you planning on taking the extra step and looking into incorporating light into the design of institutional buildings? Light in institutional buildings could be an interesting hook for your project since we are in university and are therefore directly affected, either positively or negatively, by the amount of light in our classrooms. Continue with the good research!
ReplyDeleteYou may want to look into reasearch done in Sweden and Norway, Seaonsal Affective Disorder is a major problem there. Also "Cabin Fever" is a very real condition in places like Alaska where you can get snowed in for days on end. It would be interesting to see if there is Some correlation between "cabin fever", which is commenly thought of to be cause by being stuck inside for lengths of time, and SAD as well as whether lighting types would assist with this.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorne. Cool topic. There is an architecture studio in Italy which contains an intrinsic relationship with natural and artificial lights to provide visual comfort, regulate
ReplyDeleteinternal temperatures, and assist in the human perception of space and time throughout the changing seasons and circadian cycles. I thought you could use this design as some reference as you continue your research. http://www.designboom.com/architecture/traverso-vighy-tvzeb-zero-energy-building/
Hey Lorne, your topic totally made me think of my bed side lamp. Hah. I don't have one of the fancy light bulbs they sell, but their aim to produce a natural feeling artificial light might be worth a look at! http://www.ottlite.com/t-tech.aspx
ReplyDeleteHey Lorne
ReplyDeleteI agree with Desiree & Teralynn on using our Classroom, or even multiple classrooms on campus to compare rooms with many windows, with those with hardly any. Also how the color of the room can aid in reflecting light or help in absorbing it and thus reducing the ammount we actually perceive. You could come up with a set of questions and ask random students, or even talk with their proffessor, possibly a professor in our program, to take 5 minutes of their class time to have everyone in the class do a little survey on your very topic. It would give you enough info to make comparison graphs to support your research.
Interesting topic! There's a lot to talk about with light and architecture since they are directly linked to quality of life, & affects everyone!
Hey Lorne
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about your research project and began to wonder if it was possible to amplify artificial light to a better level with different paints and colors. I recall Walter talking about the reflection ratings of different paints and how the light reacted to different colors and sheans, It might be possible to enhance the quality of light in a room using alternative wall coatings and or light fixture placement.