Accessible Lighting in the Workplace: Reducing the Negative Impact of Photosensitivity and Migraines
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Date
2021
Authors
Bechtle, Alejandro
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Lighting design in the workplace influences productivity, quality of life, and ability to come in to work the following day. For people with photosensitivity, especially those with migraines, poor lighting design is a serious concern. Migraine disorder affects 12% of the general population and women are three times as likely to suffer from migraines as men. Migraines can last for hours or days, cause significant pain, and reduced productivity is positively correlated with an attack’s severity. This study investigates the relationship between migraine headaches and lighting design in the workplace. The study begins with existing research on migraines and considers other conditions, including epilepsy, autism, aging eyes, and depression. Lighting case studies of Lawrence Hall 405 and Gerlinger Hall 143 and 144 apply principles deduced from secondary research. Physical analysis includes illuminance values, daylight factor plans, and HDR images from data collected on September 22nd, 2020 and March 22nd-23rd, 2021. The spaces selected are disparate examples of workplaces that are occupied around the clock. A survey was conducted from April 1st-30th, 2021 to show users’ opinions on the spaces investigated for this study. Both spaces could potentially induce migraines and have inconsistent lighting, which can dampen productivity.
Description
70 pages
Keywords
migraines, architecture, lighting, workplace, design