Why do we love blue skies?
Do you ever wonder why looking up at a bright, blue sky can give you a positive mood change? Taking the time to look up and experience the vast, open sky can give you a sense of awe, the intense feeling of concurrent wonder and awareness. The feeling of “awe” has several benefits to the human mind, some of which include elevate=ing moods, clearing a cluttered mind, and boosting overall thinking & imagination.
The science of replicating true daylight boils down to mimicking an alteration process known as Rayleigh scattering. Rayleigh scattering is responsible for why the sky is blue, and appears so far away.
What if the psychological effects of the blue skies could be replicated into a lighting solution that additionally performed the functions of a regular functional indoor light?
The CoeLux Artificial Skylight System in Singapore
Developed by an interdisciplinary team at the University of Insubria over the course of 10 years, CoeLux has more than 150 IP rights spread throughout their collection of artificial skylight systems. By scattering light from a white LED in a pattern that mimics the Rayleigh Effect, and utilizing the psychological and physiological effects of human vision, CoeLux has successfully created an artificial daylight system that truly mimics a window facing an infinite blue sky.
The CoeLux technology is able to light up an environment with effects similar to those reproduced by natural light through an appropriate distribution of contrasts and colors. CoeLux recreated daylight with the combined reproduction of sunlight and the skylight.
Sunlight:
The highly collimated, low CCT (yellow-orange) direct light component simulates sunlight, creating a defined, uniform beam of light, projecting parallel, sharp shadows of the lit objects.
Skylight:
The high CCT (blue) diffused light component mimics the soft lighting effect of the sky inside the room with a blue light. The shapes and volumes of the objects, enhanced by the clear shadows cast by the sun, are thus tinged with azure blue.
CoeLux was awarded at the European Innovation Prize for Retail 2017 for revolutionizing artificial daylight. The applications for CoeLux are endless, as it is not only an awe-inspiring decorative lighting solution.
Using an artificial daylight like CoeLux may be important in countries where skylight is scarce, or in buildings that may extend multiple stories underground. As we continue to innovate space-saving solutions, CoeLux can help us recreate the natural daylight that humans miss when spending all of their time indoors.
Manufacturer Specs and Recommendations:
- LC 45
- Finished dimensions: 4 x 2 feet (1200 – 600 mm)
- Recommended ceiling height: 8 – 8.5 feet (2.2 – 2.6 meters)
- Optimal coverage area for one unit: up to 215 sq. feet (20 sq. meters)
- Weight: 440 lbs (200 kg)
Manufacturer Specs and Recommendations:
- HC 45
- Finished dimensions: 5.8 x 2.8 feet (1700 x 850 mm)
- Recommended ceiling height: 8 – 10.5 feet (2.2 – 3.2 meters)
- Optimal coverage area for one unit: up to 215 sq. feet (20 sq. meters)
- Weight: 772 lbs (350 kg)