Assessment protocol and effects of two dynamic light patterns on human well-being and performance in a simulated and operational office environment

Sophisticated electric lighting solutions like tuneable white-light LED-systems, varying in light amount and/or colour temperature, can help to supplement or mimic daylight. Today's office environments are increasingly being equipped with dynamic lighting solutions even though it is yet unknown what a dynamic pattern looks like to optimally support human performance and well-being. In a pilot study, a dual-experimental methodology was employed to examine the effects of a dynamic lighting pattern. Two opposite dynamic electric light patterns were applied both in a controlled laboratory study as well as in a quasi-controlled field study. A momentary questionnaire concerning different aspects of well-being was repeated multiple times during the duration of the experiment, complemented by two performance tasks. The current results were inconclusive and inconsistent between the two study types, carefully pointing at the need to test dynamic light patterns in the field before implementing it in a real office environment. •A pilot study, in field and laboratory, assessed effects of dynamic light patterns.•Effects of dynamic light on satisfaction and performance were counterintuitive.•Dynamic light laboratory results may not directly translate into real-life situations.