Lighting at the end of the tunnel:the design of adaptive and intelligent lighting for an underground workspace

Abstract. Callio has been established to manage the rehabilitation of Pyhäsalmi Mine into a world-class business and research underground facility. The reuse of Pyhäsalmi Mine serves as a backdrop for studying the effects of artificial light in an underground workspace. This provides a rationale for a hypothesis respecting the lighting environment as affecting the physiological and psychological state of people working in environments with restricted exposure to natural light. Although the current lighting infrastructure may be sufficient for mining operations, it is questionable that the visual and non-visual lighting requirements of the future users of the deep underground facility can be fulfilled under the existent lighting conditions. The main research question that this thesis intends to study is the ways in which future users of the deep underground workspace may benefit from adaptive and intelligent lighting in their day-to-day work activities. Whether the influence of a workspace equipped with adaptive and intelligent lighting and designed through a set of architectural lighting principles may promote well-being of employees and guests. The first part of this thesis presents the theoretical background of the visual and non-visual effects of light and workspace architecture. The second part introduces the implementation of adaptive and intelligent technologies to architectural lighting design in the context of creating a new working environment in two underground spaces in Callio. Located on the main level, Retka restaurant will also operate as the new information centre. A few metres deeper, the Lab 2 will offer a new floor for research and business activities. Through a series of scenarios, the design implementation of adaptive and intelligent lighting aims to respond to the visual and non-visual requirements of light of the future users of the deep underground workspace. The production of detailed descriptions for each scenario provides a robust conceptual framework for the lighting design. It aims to unfold the most adequate lighting behaviour that suits the underground working environment. The implementation plan for the lighting designs form a basis for future lighting pilots whereby the effects of lighting in underground environments will be studied