Meaningful Lighting Installations: Culturing Wellbeing via Slow Design Principles

Background Literature

While previous studies (Dugar, 2020; Dugar & Slade, 2019) have explored the use of slow design theories in lighting, this study argues that lighting installations demonstrating slow design principles can culture well-being. The World Health Organization (2022) defined mental health as a state “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community” (para. 1). However, it is difficult to delve deeper into what well-being means on a day-to-day basis, the factors that may influence it, and how it can be measured and improved (Galderisi et al., 2015). Lighting is an integral component of social life that constitutes an essential part of social interaction and day-to-day activities by attracting, directing, and enchanting the users (Brandi & Geissmar-Brandi, 2007; Davoudian, 2019). The existential aim of architecture is to transform spaces into places by discovering the meanings of the designed spaces, wherein the delivered physical characteristics promote the physical and mental well-being of the users (Norberg-Schulz, 1985). Spaces can be turned into authentic places by forging connections among three different components, namely, the physical characteristics of the setting, the actions or activities within the setting, and the conceptions or meanings carried by the setting (Canter, 1977; Relph, 1976). Lighting holds significant potential for the betterment of the users’ well-being because the distribution of light within spaces influences individual feelings, impressions, and reactions (Flynn, 1988; Flynn et al., 1979; Schmidt & Töllner, 2006). Lighting design itself can lead to psychological attachments by enabling the transformation of spaces into places, thereby leading to overall well-being (Nasar & Bokharaei, 2017; Petty, 2007).

Fuad-Luke (2002), however, argued that well-being can be achieved with slow design:

• Slow design focuses on ideas of well-being (p. 18).

• Well-being needs are indirect impacts on health through their relationship to personal fulfillment, quality of life and psychological health. Failure to meet well-being needs results in psychosocial maladjustment and stress-related illnesses (p. 15).

• The guiding philosophical principle of slow design is to re-position the focus of design on the trinity of individual, socio-cultural and environmental well-being (p. 19).