The Polytechnic University of Cataluña (UPC) has implemented an innovative lighting system in the classroom for the Master’s in Lighting Design. KUMUX has led the optimisation of the circadian lighting system to adapt artificial lighting to the biological rhythms of students and teachers, promoting well-being and enhancing academic performance.
Coordinated by the CICAT Lighting Cluster and the Health and Well-being Working Group, EDU-LIGHT project has involved key companies in the smart lighting industry in Spain, with KUMUX providing its advanced technology to dynamically adjust the light to the biological needs of students and teachers throughout the day.
KUMUX’s solution includes a cloud-based automation system that adapts colour temperature and light levels based on the time, location and season of the year, mimicking the natural variation of sunlight. In this way, KUMUX optimises lighting in the classroom following the latest research on the effects of light on people to facilitate concentration in class and a smooth transition to rest at the end of the day, maximising both visual comfort and energy savings in the educational centre.
Lighting for well-being and learning
During the academic year, students and teachers attend classes in a south-facing classroom during hours from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, requiring constant artificial lighting. To reduce the impact of prolonged exposure to artificial light, a lighting system was designed to align with circadian rhythms, fostering an environment that facilitates concentration in class and relaxation at the end of the day.
In addition to improving the well-being of students and teachers, the project aimed to reduce energy consumption, comply with lighting regulations in educational institutions, and allow manual control of lighting by teachers.
To achieve these objectives, specialists decided to replace fluorescent lighting with LED technology, combining aesthetics with results from scientific research on the effects of lighting in learning environments. Consequently, the main challenge was to design an LED lighting system that positively impacts the circadian rhythms of students and teachers. To accomplish this, engineers, technicians, and designers evaluated the necessary requirements to ensure visual comfort in a learning environment while maintaining a low circadian impact.
Cutting-edge technology in lighting design
For the classroom lighting, high-quality luminaires from ERCO were selected for the teachers’ area, along with special lamps developed by LAMP and Vossloh-Schwabe for the rest of the space. The LAMP Plat Tech luminaire, equipped with special LED light sources and optics from Vossloh-Schwabe, achieved the required light levels and spectral characteristics. These LED luminaires feature an adjustable spectrum of colour temperature, ranging from warm tones (2700K) to cool white light (6000K), deep dimming, low glare index (UGR <19), high CRI, and DALI control. All these parameters were verified in the Asselum laboratory to ensure compliance with visual comfort and circadian performance objectives.
Considering the light spectrum of the luminaires and the lighting design, KUMUX adjusted the dynamic lighting settings in terms of colour temperature throughout the day, ensuring that the goal of achieving a balanced circadian impact was met. Recommendations from the Lighting Research Centre for learning environments were considered. However, these recommendations were initially designed for students attending classes only in the morning, prompting KUMUX to specifically adapt the lighting curves for afternoon and evening classes.
Dynamic lighting with Lutron and KUMUX
The control system for the project employs Lutron technology. With the Athena controller, manual management is possible through touch panels, at the same time that natural light and occupancy sensors are used to achieve energy savings. It also allows for the creation of customised lighting scenes for different activities, such as presentations or moments of relaxation and concentration.
However, the key element in the control system was KUMUX’s automation for dynamic lighting, adapting the light throughout the day and year. The KUMUX Cloud service integrated into the Lutron control system automates the application to optimise the dynamic lighting settings based on geolocation, application, date, and the luminaire spectrum.
When the user activates the lights in the room, KUMUX adjusts the colour temperature, aligning it with the needs of the student at that precise moment, following the recommendations of the Lighting Research Centre. These adjustments vary smoothly throughout the day, replicating the variations of natural sunlight according to the respective season.
Optimisation of the lighting system
The optimisation of colour temperature and light levels with KUMUX can ensure consistent alignment throughout the day with the recommendations of the Lighting Research Centre for circadian lighting. However, for the EDU-LIGHT project, the lighting adjustments were tailored to the project’s specific requirements. Constant illuminance levels (500 lux at the desk) were required and established through daylight sensors, meaning the minimum circadian stimulus possible with the designed luminaires was limited.
Furthermore, the guidelines from the Lighting Research Centre were applicable to students attending classes during the morning. It was necessary to adjust the lighting settings to ensure that the circadian stimulus for afternoon and evening lessons was slightly higher, balancing student attention in class with their rest a few hours later at night.
Positive experience for students and teachers
Students at UPC now enjoy high-quality lighting that meets their biological needs, promoting visual comfort and enhancing their performance and well-being. Participants have reported improvements in their energy levels and satisfaction with their learning environment. Additionally, the lighting system complies with the guidelines from the Lighting Research Centre for circadian wellbeing, standing out as a pioneering intervention that balances user wellbeing with energy savings.
EDU-LIGHT is a project coordinated and executed by the CICAT Lighting Cluster and the Health & Wellness Working Group of the Cluster, involving partner companies ASSELUM, E2 INGENIERIA, ERCO, GIANO PRODUCTORA ÉTICA, KUMUX, LAMP, LUTRON, and VOSSLOH-SCHWABE, with collaboration from UPC School and support from ACCIÓ.
