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Light Symposium 2024

Kongsberg - Norway - October - 20 - 23. In the quest to enhance human health and well-being through design, the Light Symposium 2024 in Kongsberg introduces the theme: "Biophilic Lighting and Darkness Design." This conference explores the intricate relationship between humans and their environment, particularly focusing on how light and darkness can be orchestrated to foster a deeper connection with nature.

Hvit stedsikon
Kongsberg
Woman walking towards light.

Biophilic Lighting and Darkness Design

The theory of biophilia is grounded in an innate human tendency to seek connections with life, life-like processes, and patterns. 

Is biophilic lighting design a matter of connecting to nature? What is natural when it comes to light and lighting design and darkness? Are we to mimic, copy or use nature to gain health and well-being for humans?

The 2024-inquiry encompasses the advantages and challenges of replicating natural light settings within built environments versus utilizing genuine natural elements. We want to address the critical balance between applying biophilic design principles and the use of electrical lighting in urban visual environments. If we opt for a stronger connection to nature, to what extent can we interpret nature's "response" or adaptation as a form of consent or collaboration with these human-initiated strategies?

Registration

 

Participation fees

Participant category

Early bird,
until August 1st

From August 2nd

Ordinary participant: Includes: participation fee, all lunches and coffee breaks.

 

NOK 2950,-

NOK 3300,-

Partner UNI: Includes: participation fee, all lunches and coffee breaks

NOK 2300,-

NOK 2600,-

Partner business: Includes: participation fee, all lunches and coffee breaks

NOK 2200,-

NOK 2500,-

USN employee: Includes: participation fee, all lunches and coffee breaks.

 

NOK 1450,-

NOK 1600,-

Bachelor and Master Student:
Includes: attendance fee, all lunches and coffee breaks. 

 

NOK 580,-

NOK 650,-

 

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Themes and subcategories

01 Human well-being and health:

Lighting for human well-being and health is about the multifaceted impacts of light on humans, of lighting, principles of human-centric lighting and design, the integration of light within the architecture of the future, and the innovative use of natural and dynamic lighting solutions that mimic nature. How can transdisciplinary research and application in lighting design contribute to spaces and places that not only meet physical needs, but also support psychological and mental health? 

Keywords:

  • Natural, nature mimicking, dynamic light
  • Psychological impact and restorativeness
  • Human centric light/lighting and lighting design
  • Light in future architecture
  • Non-image-forming effects of “light”
  • Therapeutic use of light/lighting
02 Sustainability:

With this subcategory we hope to illuminate the path towards environmentally responsible lighting practices. We want to know what the core of sustainable light and lighting strategies is. How do we tackle the pressing issue of light pollution, and champion dark sky initiatives? If people do not enjoy the lightscapes, is it still sustainable if the lighting is energy efficient and biodiversity-friendly? We hope for discussions on energy-efficient lighting designs and renewable energy sources, and lifecycle assessment of lighting systems, emphasizing the importance of eco-friendly materials and adaptive lighting technologies. Is biophilic urban lighting design attuned to human perception and is being social in community lighting engagement and education fostering a collective move towards sustainability? 

Keywords:

  • Sustainable light/lighting strategies
  • Light pollution and dark sky initiatives, light pollution policy and zoning 
  • Human perception, sense of place, feeling safe, engaging visual environments
  • Community engagement and education, social interaction 
  • Transdisciplinary research and methods
03 Innovation and technology:

This theme is about cutting-edge of lighting design, spotlighting the pioneering integration of innovative materials and smart technologies, including machine learning and AI, into architectural lighting design. Beyond mere products, what do these design innovations entail? Some advancements promise not just smarter, but truly intuitive lighting solutions that adapt and respond to our needs, possibly redefining future illumination. The application of virtual and augmented reality introduces unprecedented dimensions to lighting design, allowing for immersive experiences and experimental simulations. Coupled with true interactive and responsive lighting systems, future environments could be more efficient and sustainable but also infinitely adaptable and engaging. Or? 

Keywords:

  • Innovative applications and systems
  • New materials and technologies
  • Smart lighting in architectural design, machine learning, and AI
  • Virtual and augmented reality in lighting design
  • Interactive and responsive lighting systems
04 Lighting X:

The letter X is often used in math to indicate a value that is not yet known. This subcategory is about discovering the 'X' – the untapped potential in lighting design through various creative processes. In this pursuit, we are intrigued by lighting's power to elicit awe and wonder, to create those breathtaking moments that leave an indelible mark. It's not just about achieving predefined goals; it's about learning and uncovering scalable innovations in unexpected domains. Simultaneously, we are attentive to the gentle, often unnoticed ways lighting can influence mood and atmosphere, subtly enhancing well-being by creating spaces that simply 'work' on a human level. We want to see examples of inter- and transdisciplinary processes, collaborations with unexpected outcomes. They can be small or large projects that fail to reach the golden standard of research but still have beauty, still spark, or stimulate curiosity, and maybe carry the seed of real innovation. 

Keywords:

  • Art projects
  • Small or large experiments on light/dark phenomena 
  • Bioluminescence, Luciferin
  • Wearable light
  • Holographic lighting systems
  • X and xxx, or maybe xY

 

 

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See what's happening in Kongsberg 2024

LS2024 will be hosted by the Architectural Lighting Design Group at the Department of Optometry, Radiography and Lighting - IORL at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at the University of South-Eastern Norway. 

Check out earlier Light Symposiums:

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