Light, activity and sleep in my daily life: : Design of an online intervention targeting changes to routines and the home

Background: Older adults spend more time at home after retirement, and the home becomes a central place for activity. While research indicates that indoor lighting, exposure to daylight, physical activity and sleep interact to influence functioning, mood and daily rhythm, strategies are needed to promote behavioural changes to optimise these factors in daily life. The objective is to design an intervention delivered as a web-based course to encourage behaviour change related to outdoor physical activity, sleep patterns and changes to the home environment. The behaviour changes are intended to promote mental wellbeing and improve lighting and darkness conditions. The intervention strategy departs from the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills Model. Intervention components build on goal implementation theory. The Technology Acceptance Model is used as a framework to evaluate usability aspects of the course content and the learning management system. Method: Using a mixed-methods approach, qualitative and quantitative data were collected through video observations, semi-structured interviews and a 10-item Likert scale questionnaire (The System Usability Scale). Scores were averaged for each participant and converted into a usability score out of 100 (a score of 68 or above is considered above average). In a first round, three experts on pedagogy, design for older people and/or interaction design were invited to independently assess the usability of the course content on their laptops in a full-scale model of an apartment. The setting enabled manipulations of the lighting conditions (daylight mode and night mode, change of luminaires), contextual interviews and video observation to identify any problems when participants experimented with the test kit included in the course material. They participated on three occasions lasting 2 hours each. Six healthy adults (aged 70+) participated in a similar usability trial in a second round. Findings: Experts’ average usability score was 78.3, indicating “Good” usability. However, the interviews did reveal some issues (e.g. difficult or inconsistent terms, unclear instructions). Results were used to refine the course before the second usability trial with six participants. Based on the interviews and usability ratings, the participants were positive about the course, and the instructions were easy to follow. All six participants rated the overall user-friendliness of the course as 6 out of 7. The average usability score was 86.7, indicating “Excellent” usability. Based on the participants’ feedback and interactions in the apartment, changes to the course content included, e.g. clarifying terms, the different types of text links and instructions. Unexpected issues with online enrolment in the course appeared before the second trial because standard instructions developed by the university were not tailored to the participants.Conclusions: A two-step usability evaluation by experts in the first round and target users in the second proved valuable. It enabled refinement of the course content and significantly reduced the number of identified usability issues in the second trial. A learning management system seems promising for use in behaviour-change interventions. However, the time-limited lab trials restricted a complete evaluation. Therefore, the next step is to pilot the course and evaluate the feasibility in real-world homes

Windows: a study of residents’ perceptions and uses in Sweden

What are inhabitants’ perceptions and uses of windows in multi-dwelling buildings? This paper reports on a field study that explores daylight, the visual connection to the outside and the role of windows in the home during the day and night. Qualitative interviews were held with 20 participants living in multi-dwelling buildings. The thematic analysis identified two main components as characteristic of residents’ experiences with their windows. The first, ‘perceived dwelling comfort’, consists of different types of comfort qualities, for example, keeping the body sufficiently warm or cool, blocking exterior noise, enabling visual tasks, perceiving the room to be adequately daylit, visually pleasant and spacious, obtaining visual privacy, and having an outside view to provide information and engagement. The second, ‘preferred exposure to external elements’ ('e.g.' air, sound, light, people outside) expresses a desire for personal control and reflects variability over time (momentary, daily, seasonal, ageing) and between individuals or groups. Windows represent an enjoyment of the home and fulfil much more than physical needs. They must allow sufficient personal control over fresh and cool air, sound, sunlight, streetlighting and privacy.   'Practice relevance' An enabling home environment affords residents opportunities to regulate the visual openness to the outside in order to satisfy individual needs for privacy or social connection. Preferences vary within and between household members, so window treatments must be easy for inhabitants to adjust. Housing designers and developers are advised to include exterior shading devices in the design and optional indoor window treatment to facilitate durable shading and privacy solutions. Further adjustments could be offered by landlords to tenants when they move in. Fenestration and shading devices offer the possibility to make full use of the available daylight, reduce electricity demand for indoor lighting and provide inhabitants with increased control of their comfort

Ljuset hemma

Aim: To investigate the current lighting situation in Swedish homes with regard to lamp purchasing behaviour, lighting characteristics and light related behaviour. Primary research question: What lighting do Swedish residents have in their homes and what are the factors influencing their illumination choices? subsidiary research questions: Which lamps do residents buy, where are they placed and how are they controlled? Do residents have the lighting they want, and which key factors influence their choices? Method and sampling strategy: A random sample of 2000 residents drawn by the Swedish Address Registry (SPAR) resulted in 536 responses,18–80 yr. Data collection: Nov 2015. Purpose: The aim of the survey “Light at Home” was to investigate the current lighting situation in Swedish homes with regard to lamp purchasing behaviour, lighting characteristics and light related behaviour. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2000 people which was drawn by the Statens personadressregister (SPAR) from the adult (18–80 yr) population of Lund, a city located in the south of Sweden. The number of returned paper-and-pencil questionnaires after one reminder was 536 (female 51% and male 49%).Syftet med studien "Ljuset hemma" var att undersöka den befintliga ljussituationen i svenska hem genom kvantitativa metoder. En enkät skickades ut till ett slumpmässigt urval med 2000 boende mellan 18 och 80 år i Lunds kommun. Syfte: Syftet med studien "Ljuset hemma" var att undersöka den befintliga ljussituationen i svenska hem med avseende på inköp och placering av olika ljuskällor, vad som karaktäriserar belysningen och ljusrelaterat beteende i hemmet. Ett frågeformulär skickades till ett slumpmässigt urval som drogs av (SPAR) från den vuxna befolkningen (18-80 år) i Lund. Efter en påminnelse blev antalet returnerade svar 536 (kvinnor 51% och män 49%)

Moving from energy-saving to mindful lighting behaviour in homes

1. INTRODUCTIONBefore the phase-out of incandescent lamps in the EU, interior lighting was responsible for approximately 20% of average household electricity use in Sweden. To save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a major societal goal is to switch from light sources with low lm/W to ones with higher luminous efficacy and to reduce wasteful energy behaviour, while still meeting end user needs. A recurrent recommendation in energy conservation campaigns is to turn off lighting in non-occupied rooms. According to the PremiumLight market survey carried out in 2012 in 12 EU countries, approximately 30% of Swedish residents always turn off the lights when nobody is in the room which was well below average (65%). Why is the figure so low in Sweden? One explanation is habitual behaviour, i.e. when the intended goals of an action are reached, and the behaviour leads to the intended outcomes, the behaviour will probably be automatically repeated in the next similar situation [1]. What are the intended goals guiding this lighting behaviour in home environments? The objective of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the reasons behind the cultural practice among Swedish residents to leave the light on in empty rooms—something to consider in energy conservation campaigns directed at residents. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODSTo investigate the current lighting situation in Swedish homes, a mixed-methods research study was carried out in October-November 2015 in Lund and Malmö, Sweden. A questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 2000 residents drawn by the State Personal Address Registry from the adult population in Lund (18-80 yr); the response rate was 27% (n=536, female 51%). Semi-structured interviews (n=12) were held in parallel. Respondents compared well to the national population in terms of dwelling type. The paper-and-pencil questionnaire (11 pages, 35 questions) was adapted from the PremiumLight market survey (2014) addressing, e.g., reasons for buying a particular lamp technology, lighting behaviour at home, and placement of lamps. The interviews were held in the homes of a sample of 12 volunteers living in multi-dwelling buildings, recruited through personal networks (26-76 yr, female 50%). The interview was guided by the following question: ‘How are luminaires used in homes and what are the residents’ needs and wants with regard to home lighting?’ 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONMore than half of the respondents (57%, n=301) reported that they sometimes turn off lights when nobody is in the room, 26% (n=140) always turn off lights, and 17% (n=90) seldom or never turn off lights, which is in line with the PremiumLight survey results.A qualitative thematic analysis based on the interviews produced five key factors influencing residents’ illumination choices—time, the physical setting, activities, the social situation and individual characteristics. Three are described here as only these are relevant to this paper. The first is the temporal dimension, i.e. time of year or time of day. A female participant, 53 yr, reported that when she comes home during the dark season she turns on luminaires even before taking off her shoes. As the Swedish practice is to remove shoes at the entrance, her behaviour emphasises the importance of lighting: “It creates a feeling of comfort to turn on some of the lights.” Low outdoor illuminance can therefore explain why residents choose not to turn off the light in a room despite no occupancy. A second factor is linked to individual needs and wants, such as visual comfort, safety, and creating a cosy atmosphere. Avoiding dark spaces was mentioned by several participants and keeping luminaires lit in the windows was a recurring practice. Some people are sensitive to the high contrast between bright and dark areas which can produce visual discomfort. One male participant, 53 yr, and his wife turned on a table lamp in a window “as soon as we come home even if we aren’t in here. It looks so dull when it’s gloomy or dark.” He never leaves lights on when he leaves home, but his wife thinks that “it's cosy when you come home and lights are on.” A male participant, 26 yr, leaves the small lights on in the window most of the time even when he is not at home. "It's because it’s nice when you come home and something is lit. Leaving the big lights on would be a bit too much /.../”. Another reason can be emotional. A male participant, 76 yr, reported a friend’s thrifty practice of turning off all lights in the home except for the one where he was seated. Unlike his friend, this participant wanted more lights on because it made the dwelling more homelike, easier to move around in without having to turn on more lights, and to avoid tumbling. A third factor involves social needs—the lights are kept on for people outside the home to make visitors feel welcome or to make people outside feel secure. It can be reassuring to know that there are people inside the buildings. The outdoor environment was a reason given by a female participant, 69 yr: “[The window light] in the kitchen is often lit when I’m not at home to give some light outside. There are mostly office spaces facing the yard so in the evenings it’s unlit.” 4. CONCLUSIONSThe interview comments illustrating the temporal, individual and social factors show examples of reasons for leaving the lights on in empty rooms. Light in empty rooms can be meaningful to residents, so a shift in mindset and communication is proposed from ‘energy-saving’ to ‘mindful’ lighting behaviour, which implies being kind to oneself, people and the planet. ‘Mindful’, or being aware, is linked to mindfulness, which is rooted in Buddhist teachings and entails respect for the needs of others and oneself. ‘Sustainable’ lighting behaviour is another option but may be too broad a term; ‘mindful’ sends the message that we have to pay attention to what we need in the present moment, avoid automatic behaviour, and also reflect on the environmental and ethical consequences of our behaviour. In other words, shift from habits to intentional behaviour. Future energy conservation campaigns directed at residents could include ‘turn off the light when it’s not needed’ rather than ‘turn off the light in empty rooms’, because lighting does more than facilitate visual tasks.REFERENCES[1] K. Klöckner and B. Verplanken, Yesterday’s habits preventing change for tomorrow? The influence of automaticity on environmental behaviour. In L. Steg, A.E. van den Berg and J. I. M. de Groot eds. Environmental Psychology: An Introduction. Chichester: BPS Blackwell, (2013), pp. 197-209

Light, Comfort and Joy : User experience of light and darkness in Swedish homes

The thesis examines user experience and behaviour relating to lighting, luminaires and window openings during day and night, in Swedish homes. Applying a mixed methods strategy of inquiry, both quantitative and qualitative data were collected in the field and in a full-scale model of an apartment. The thesis has identified multiple motivations behind residents’ lighting behaviour and choices, enablers and inhibitors to the desired conditions of light and darkness. The findings suggest that researchers and practitioners must consider the following key points, of which the first might seem obvious but still is not: • user needs and experiences when developing new lighting technologies,• wearable comfort when lighting systems involve body-worn devices,• window openings need multiple layers for shading, daylight distribution and privacy control,• rethinking what is looked upon as wasted light in the home.The main conclusion is that the physical environment can be more supportive of residents’ need for a regular 24-hour exposure to light and darkness, and dwelling comfort. In Swedish homes, where residents choose and mount most of their luminaires, responsibility for home lighting also lies with housing developers and lighting producers. In future research, the scope of indoor residential lighting should be expanded to include its effect on the outdoor environment after daylight hours

Benefits of bringing the real world to the lab: investigating lighting behaviour in homes using a full-scale model

1. Motivation, specific objectiveTo evaluate the first prototype of a home lighting system, we used a full-scale model of a studio apartment in the laboratory of the School of Architecture at Lund University. The personalised home lighting system is based on LEDs, wearable sensors and a mobile phone app to produce lighting tailored to the individual’s needs. Drawing on participant interviews (n = 28), which were held in the full-scale model, this paper seeks to highlight the benefits of using a three-dimensional representation at full-scale.Studying real-world problems that involve people’s behaviour do not always allow research in their natural environment. Investigators must therefore choose other methods. One option is to use a two-dimensional visual representation of the real-world environment, e.g. photography prints or static or dynamic visual simulations on a flat screen. A second option is a 3D-simulation with special glasses. A third is to create the desired environment using either small-scale or full-scale models. Each approach has merits and limitations but, in lighting research, the effects produced by lighting, such as visual comfort, must be considered. The lighting situation is always influenced by the light source and the luminaire, the surfaces of the space reflecting the light, and the observer perceiving the light (individual characteristics and previous experiences). Neuroimaging studies have found that sensorimotor systems are engaged when humans experience the environment around them, and when viewing images or other people. Both mind and body can be activated, e.g. emotions and facial expressions. However, images have several limitations. Firstly, images projected on modern screens cannot produce glare, which makes evaluating simulated lighting situations difficult. Secondly, flat images cannot capture well enough how lighting is influenced by spatial and surface characteristics. Thirdly, 2D-simulations or photographs on a flat screen do not enable a full mind-body experience since physical movement within the space is not possible.2. MethodsBoth quantitative and qualitative data were collected during April and May 2016 using a convenience sample (n = 28, 50% female, median 41 yr). Each participant was engaged for a 24-hour trial in the field and for one hour in the lab. On the first day, the participant received the wearable sensors, which measured light exposure and rest and activity patterns. After 24 hours the participant returned to the lab and was given a demonstration of the new home lighting system in a full-scale model of a studio apartment (floor area 38 m2). A small self-service breakfast buffet was included in the ‘kitchen’. The participant completed a questionnaire addressing the comfort of wearing the sensors and the participant’s willingness to use the home lighting system in the future. To cross-check the assessment and to provide supplementary information, the trial ended with a structured interview with open-ended questions, lasting 10-30 minutes. The interview questions addressed lighting behaviour in the participant’s home: which lights were turned on in the morning and evening (including digital screens), the use of daylight and shades, and the darkening of the bedroom at night. The interview involved the participant giving a detailed description of the home environment. The interviews were analysed thematically to provide a deeper understanding of factors influencing their willingness to use the home lighting system or not. Additional themes were the lighting vocabulary used by participants, the effect of available daylight on participants’ use of electric light, and methodological insights. 3. ResultsThe results relevant to this paper concern the methodological insights. The physical setting, where the interview took place, enabled participants to describe better their home environment. Eleven participants made comments comparing their own home characteristics and those of the full-scale model in terms of: • room layout and furnishing,• size of window openings, • participant-designed blackout screens in the bedroom,• thickness, transparency or colour of curtain fabrics,• type of luminaire: floor-standing or ceiling mounted,• size of luminaires,• placement of floor-standing luminaires,• design of floor-standing luminaires,• colour tone of lamps (cooler or warmer, bluish or yellowish).Participants who gave poor descriptions of their home environment were encouraged to compare to the objects and materials in the full-scale setting. An unexpected benefit of the physical setting was the less formal atmosphere created by the homelike appearance of the full-scale model. It is reasonable to assume that interviews conducted in a homelike environment, seated on a sofa or in an armchair, might make participants more relaxed. Participants were surprisingly open about their everyday behaviours, e.g. sleep habits, clothing or no clothing at night. 4. Discussion and conclusionsAs several participants, unrequested, used objects or materials in the full-scale model for comparison when describing features of their own home, it is suggested that a three-dimensional representation at full-scale might elicit more information from the participants. Even though the setting does not fully correspond to a residential environment, there are differences between looking at a place and being in a place. In participants’ appraisal of a place, lack of colours and textures, on the walls and the ceiling, is not necessarily a problem.Previous research studies used systematic evaluations of 2D- and 3D-simulations, and real settings. A Swedish study investigated participants’ assessment of four different car interiors, both real cars and photographs on a computer screen using the Semantic Environment Description method. Results showed that the evaluation between the real situation and the visual representation differed in terms of ‘unity’, ‘complexity’, and ‘enclosedness’. A more recent Swedish study, exploring the reliability of colour and light appearance in 3D-models, showed that colour variations and shadows in renderings have improved, but contrast effects and inter-reflections between angled surfaces are still incorrectly represented. To illustrate the limitations of images on a flat screen, watching a movie at the cinema may serve as an example. Movie scenes on a large screen can evoke strong sensations, for example, sudden noises. But have you ever been blinded by, for example, the sun in a science-fiction movie

Vad jag tänker på när jag tänker på fönster : Hur boende upplever och använder sina fönsteröppningar

Är fönsteröppningar självklara? I så fall borde vi kunna svara påfrågan varför, men det är inte helt lätt. Bokens huvudbudskap är attfönsteröppningen tycks spela en nyckelroll för trivseln i hemmetinte minst för att den påverkar flera aspekter av boendekomfort.Boken vänder sig till de som på olika sätt påverkar ljus- ochmörkerförhållanden i bostäder och därigenom indirekt boendeshälsa och välbefinnande: fysiska planerare, bostadsförvaltare,bostadsutvecklare, arkitekter, elkonsulter, ljusdesigners, bostadsmäklareoch studenter. Men även tillverkare och återförsäljare av fönster,gardiner och mörkläggningsprodukter samt en intresserad allmänhet.Kiran Maini Gerhardsson är sedan 30 år praktiserande arkitekt medmiljöinriktning och har disputerat i miljöpsykologi. Hennes forskninghandlar till stor del om användares upplevelser och beteenden kopplattill belysning, ljusarmaturer och fönsteröppningar i svenska hem

Getting the picture of home lighting: Adding participant photography to the interview

This paper draws attention to the potential benefits of using photographs in combination with interviews, that is to say photo elicitation. As defined by Harper (2002), photo elicitation is “based on the simple idea of inserting a photograph into a research interview” (p. 13). The photographs can be taken by the researcher or the participant to evoke comments. If participants are asked to produce the photos themselves, the images will hopefully encourage participants to talk and reflect. The objective of this paper is to report on the benefits and the disadvantages of the method deployed in the collaborative interview study, My home lighting. Daylight plays a vital role for human wellbeing; for example, daylight affects visibility and regulates the biological rhythm. In the Northern Hemisphere, where daylight is limited from October to March, most people spend their days indoors. Fortunately, to some extent, artificial light can make up for lack of natural light indoors. In addition, new lighting technology has the potential to improve physical and mental wellbeing. A deeper understanding of residents’ current lighting preferences and practices was therefore a good starting point. Since depth and detail was the purpose of the investigation, a qualitative interview study was considered to be the most appropriate strategy. Adding photos to the interviews was assumed to help people talk about everyday objects and habits, such as lamps and the use of light. The sample consisted of six female and six male residents, 26–76 years. Prior to the interviews conducted at home, participants were asked to take a series of photographs of their indoor lighting with a total limit of 25 photos. All photographs were assembled by the interviewer in an album. The subsequent interview occasion included a walk-through of the apartment for a quick observer-based environmental assessment (OBEA) and an interview which was recorded with a digital audio recorder. The interview was structured with open-ended questions and the photo album was used as an interview guide. When interviewed, the participants were asked to consider each photo at a time and talk about the lamp in the photo—why it had been chosen and how it was used. The data produced—images, OBEA, recorded interviews and notes after the interview—is currently being analysed. The analysis focuses on the comments the photos evoked and the meaning of the lamps represented by the images. According to a number of studies, making photographs as part of the research method has several benefits, such as the possibility to obtain more information and a different kind of information (Harper, 2002). Photos can be especially effective when they involve something that is visual (Rose, 2007). This could explain why the photos of the residents’ lamps in the current study seemed to work so well. Drawing upon the experience of My home lighting and literature about previous photo interviews, the impression is that photo elicitation, if appropriate to the research question and the objects or practices investigated, can provide more information, a less restrained interview situation and a valuable aid for memory

Light is not only about seeing and shining

In our homes we enjoy daylight reaching the rooms through the windows, and artificial lighting when there is not enough daylight available. Electrical lighting has been used in Western homes since the late 1910s. We have experienced the technical development from warm incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient light emitting diods (LED). In Sweden we lack daylight in winter and have a lot of daylight in summer. Thanks to candle light and artificial light we endure the dark months of the year. Research has shown that light is not only about seeing. Light affects circadian rhythm. Humans have an internal body clock. The average internal clock time is slightly longer than the solar day, about 24 hours and 15 minutes. The body-clock has to be reset to 24 hours each day and that is why light is so important. Light sets the body-clock by blocking the sleeping-hormone melatonin. Timing the body-clock with the 24-hour solar day is essential for our wellbeing.The Swedish Healthy Home-program (SHH) is an on-going research project, and the aim is to improve health and promote sleep-quality through lighting as well as save energy. The projects within the over-all program are mainly funded by the Swedish Energy Agency (SEA). The research is conducted by Lighting Research Institute (LRC), at the Rensselaer Polytechnic School of Architecture, Troy, NY, Environmental Psychology at Lund University, and Stress Research Institute at Stockholm University. The SHH-program is part of my doctoral work in Environmental Psychology. My topic is wellbeing connected to light-dark cycles and sleep-wake patterns. The present studies concern lighting conditions in homes and the acceptance of new technological solutions