Wu Tsai Institute and the Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience at 100 College Street at Yale University strives to understand human cognition and explore human potential in a novel, powerful way. The lighting concept seeks to foster occupant self-revelation and “empower discovery” for students, faculty, participants, and researchers. The illumination balances serenity and technology to create comfortable, welcoming research and clinical environments that encourage participant engagement.
All interior ambient lighting is 90+ CRI and 3500K CCT to provide high-quality color rendering, enhancing occupants’ sense of comfort in traditionally sterile healthcare and research environments. Indirect lighting is prioritized, and material reflectivity is curated to expand the visual field of existing ceiling constraints while mitigating reflection and glare. An RGBW backlit, dynamic art installation is curated with daily scenes that enhance intuitive wayfinding and promote information exchange. Sensory public corridors are juxtaposed with research spaces that are visually subdued. Clinic participants are greeted with colorful, immersive environments, achieved through concealed lighting treatments. Within MRI rooms, vaulted ceilings with knife-edge coves promote user control with dynamic scenes that both captivate and calm. The project reimagines healthcare and research design, enhancing the community experience, while achieving both a lighting power density 20% below ASHRAE 90.1-2019 Standards and LEED Gold certification.
