With or without lighting designers? Exploring user perceptions of lighting in academic libraries

What is it about?

This study looks at how lighting affects people’s experiences in university libraries. It compares libraries that were designed by professional lighting designers with those that were not. Surprisingly, the libraries without professional lighting experts were rated more highly by users. These libraries used simple, consistent lighting and took advantage of natural daylight and reflective materials, which made the spaces feel bright and comfortable. The research shows that good lighting doesn’t always need to be complex or expensive—it just needs to match how people actually use the space. These findings can help architects, designers, and facility managers create better environments not only in libraries but also in offices and other public buildings.

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