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In this series of 9 videos, Professor of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Directory of the Lighting Research Center (LRC) Dr. Mariana Figueiro, gives a brief overview of human circadian rhythms - explaining their importance and the need for staying entrained with lighting.

Facing the aftermath of severe floods in June 2008, a largely devastated campus, and $743 million in FEMA aid, the University of Iowa embarked on a mission to rebuild. As part of this reconstruction effort, the university hired Seattle-based LMN Architects and local firm Neumann Monson Architects to relocate and rebuild a new $189 million, state-of-the-art, Voxman Music Building in downtown Iowa City.

USAI Lighting's Trimless Acoustical Lighting and Sloped Ceiling Solutions have been selected for inclusion in Interior Design's Best of Year 2018 awards.  Place your vote now!

Research proves that exposure to the right light – at the right time – greatly impacts health, mood and well-being. Being surrounded with natural daylight over the course of 24 hours synchronizes circadian rhythms — the internal clocks that prompt sleep/wake cycles — while disruption to these rhythms can pose significant threats to health and diminish quality of life.

Sleep problems are all too common among older adults, especially those in long-term care facilities, and may contribute to depression, weight gain and, according to recent research, the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, healthy, high-quality sleep improves overall health and well-being.

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Bonnie Littman, President, USAI Lighting, on the topic of tunable-white lighting. I’m happy to share her responses with you here. The interview informed an article I wrote for the May 2016 issue of tED.

We Love Nature 
A hike through the woods, a round of golf, or a walk on the beach—all of these provide connections to nature that intuitively we know people enjoy, seek and value.

With the advent of LEED certification and the general trend towards green technology and home efficiency, lighting technology has become an increasingly critical component of “going green”. While these make nice catch phrases, we hope to dive deeper into the subject and provide a solid knowledge base for those seeking a better understanding of energy efficiency as it pertains to lighting technology.

There is more to light than meets the eye — a lot more, in fact. While light enables us to see our world in vivid color and stunning detail, we have learned that light also regulates many biological responses in people which are not associated with our sense of sight, including an 'internal clock' in our bodies that makes us alert during the day and sleepy at night.