Name: Unpacking The Rainbow Connection – Lighting Design for Human Health and Wellbeing
Start: 2026-09-16T12:00:00-0500
End: 2026-09-16T13:00:00-0500

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Unpacking The Rainbow Connection – Lighting Design for Human Health and Wellbeing

Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

TBA

For decades, architectural lighting design has focused on vision and aesthetics. More recently, however, discoveries and a growing understanding of the connection between light, human circadian biology and certain chronic health issues have challenged lighting designers to also account for how light affects physiological wellbeing. Considerations related to the intensity, direction, duration and timing of exposure to short wavelength blue light has altered both product and practice. Now, the industry is beginning to learn that wellbeing isn’t just influenced by blue light, but also far red and near infrared (NIR) radiation. New products, bold claims, and nascent science offer an intriguing story of how an NIR-rich interior lighting spectrum like sunlight could improve cognition, boost mood, reduce pain, repair tissue, and more. This presentation will introduce the science of photobiomodulation, outlining what is currently known and what could change in the future. It will also cover how lighting practice might change, and what to watch for as the science emerges.

Designing with photobiomodulation in mind will be a substantially different exercise than designing for vision or even for circadian effect. This is primarily because photobiomodulation works through the mitochondria present in living cells rather than only through the eyes. Thus, there are important discussions about the dose of light, where it is delivered, and how it can function independently of lighting for vision. There are also broader questions about accounting for potentially large increases in energy use, balanced with the potential benefits to society. This presentation will help attendees be at the forefront of what could be the next major disruption to lighting practice, allowing them to deliver better solutions for clients.

Speakers

Dave Pfund

Senior Vice President Research and Product Management, The Lighting Quotient

Dave Pfund is an innovation-driven lighting industry thought leader focused on technologies that advance personal wellbeing and sustainable building initiatives. He is passionate about lighting science, biological and psychological responses to light, and related health impacts. In... Read More →

Wednesday September 16, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
TBA

Design, Seminar

CEU Type AIA, IDCEC
Audience Architect, Engineer, Lighting Designer, Interior Designer, End User
Level Beginner
Session Track Design Innovation + Emerging Practice, Human-Centered Design + Wellbeing

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