Bringing the outside in with light

Hawkins\Brown will be hosting a panel discussion exploring the theme of 'boundaries' by asking the question:
How can we creatively approach the design of light in buildings to blur the boundary between inside and out, to have a positive influence on occupant well-being?

Recent research shows that the light that we experience can affect our sleep cycles, immune systems and mental health – but as we spend more than 90% of time inside buildings, are we losing our connection with the outside? How can the design of buildings take a considered approach to both natural and artificial lighting to help us reconnect?

Hawkins\Brown architect, Xuhong Zheng, has been carrying out research into this topic through conversations with different practitioners, case studies, digital modelling and real-life light tracking, with the aim of promoting a variety of creative approaches. The event will be introduced by founding partner Roger Hawkins and chaired by Nicola Rutt, partner and head of workplace sector, and we have invited an expert panel, including the contributors to the research: Ben Rigby, creative director of Haberdashery; Oliver Heath, architect and biophilic design expert; Christina Friis Blach Petersen, CEO of LYS Technologies; David Barker, environment and sustainability specialist at Elementa Consulting; Michael Riebel, researcher at Hawkins\Brown and Linda Geddes, journalist and author of 'Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight'.

Join us for an evening of lively discussion, drinks and nibbles!