The article considers the problem of lighting design of hospices as a medical institution and as a comfortable place to spend the last days of life. The purpose of this study is to determine the lighting techniques that provide conditions of visual comfort in the hospice space. The work is done through a review of scientific literature and analysis of design materials. The hypothesis of the study suggests that to improve the psycho-emotional state of patients it is necessary to saturate the hospice space with daylight, to ensure human interaction with nature. Electric lighting of hospices should be approached from two positions – utilitarian approach (to perform functional tasks) and artistic approach (to bring patients’ living conditions closer to home comfort).
We studied articles from the scientific electronic library e-library, Scopus, Web of Science databases (2004–2023) about lighting design of hospices, gerontology and palliative centres, hospice and nursing homes. The search resulted in 104 references. From these, 30 scientific articles were selected and analysed on the criteria of inclusiveness, modern technologies in the field of lighting design of residential and medical premises. This made it possible to provide recommendations on the lighting design of various units and hospice rooms to overcome visual discomfort.
Analysing the problems of daylighting and electric lighting will improve the architectural appearance of hospices. Involvement of the public for the development of hospice environment emphasizes the problem of responsibility of society and the state to dying people. A humane approach to the organization of hospice environment is necessary.
1. Sinoo, M.M. Light Conditions in Nursing Homes: Visual Comfort and Visual Functioning of Residents // Eindhoven University of Technology, 2016.
2. Klochko, A.R., Klochko, A.К. Influence of light rhythm on shaping in architecture [Vliyanie svetovogo ritma na formoobrazovanie v arhitekture] // Innovations and Investments, 2019, # 2, pp. 327–331.
3. Shchepetkov, N.I. Physics of light in the architecture of the future [Fizika sveta v arhitekture budushchego] // Architecture and modern information technologies, 2021, Vol. 1, # 54, pp. 248–261.
4. Narboni, R. Lighting the Landscape. Art Design Technologies / Brikhäuser, Publishers for Architecture, 2004, 230 p.
5. Gusev, N.M., Makarevich, V.G. Light architecture [Svetovaya arhitektura] / M.: Stroyizdat, 1973, 248 p.
6. Van Santen, C. Light Zone City. Light planning in the Urban Context / Brikhäuser, Publishers for Architecture, 2006, 127 p.
7. Brandi, U., Geissmar-Brandi, C. Light for Cities. Lighting Design for Urban Spaces. A Handbook / Brikhäuser, Publishers for Architecture, 2007, 168 p.
8. Saprykina, A. Yu., Solntseva, S.V. Svetodizayn in modern interior [Svetodizajn v sovremennom inter’ere] // Art and design in the modern world: traditions and prospects: collection of materials of the All-Russian XV scientific-practical conference of young scientists, Tambov, April 27, 2022 / FGOBU VO “Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin”. G.R. Derzhavin”. – Tambov: Publishing House “Derzhavinsky”, 2022, pp. 126–131.
9. Saprykina, A.Y. Lighting design in modern interior [Svetodizajn v sovremennom inter’ere] // Bulletin of Young Scientists of St. Petersburg State University of Technology and Design, 2022, # 3, p. 53–61.
10. Brawley, E.C. Enriching lighting design // NeuroRehabilitation, 2009, Vol. 25, # 3, pp. 189–99.
11. Cort, H.S.M. Lighting conditions for older adults in a nursing home: an assessment of ambient light and colour temperature [Usloviya osveshcheniya dlya pozhilyh lyudej v dome prestarelyh: ocenka osveshchennosti okruzhayushchej sredy i cvetovoj temperatury] // Building and Environment, 2011, Vol. 46, # 10, pp. 1917–1927.
12. Turner, PL, van Someren EJW, Mainster MA. The role of environmental light in sleep and health: Effects of ocular aging and cataract surgery // Sleep Medicine Reviews, 2010, Vol. 14, # 4, pp. 269–80.
13. Sinoo, M.M, van Hoof, J., Kort, HSMM. Light conditions for older adults in the nursing home: Assessment of environmental illuminances and colour temperature // Build Environ [Internet], 2011, Vol. 46, # 10, pp. 13–28.
14. Belyakova, M.P., Winkels, K., Turkin, A.N., Filipenko, E.A. Museum as an object of light design [Muzej kak ob”ekt svetovogo dizajna] // Svetotekhnika, 2022, # 6, pp. 14–17.
15. Inclusive architecture: hospice in Kawamura [Inklyuzivnaya arhitektura: hospis v Kavamure] URL: https://www.interior.ru/architecture/12976‑inklyuzivnaya-arhitektura-hospis-v-kavamure.html (date of address 01.02.2024).
16. Shchepetkov, N.I. Science of light in the theory and art of architecture [Nauka o svete v teorii i iskusstve arhitektury] // Architecture and Construction of Russia, 2022, Vol. 4, # 244, pp. 60–65.
17. Shchepetkov, N.I. Magazine about light and its role in our fate [Zhurnal o svete i ego rol’ v nashej sud’be] // Svetotekhnika, 2023, # 6, pp. 81–84.
18. Boyce, PR. The impact of light in buildings on human health // Indoor and Built Environment, 2010, Vol. 19, # 1, pp. 8–20.
19. Grineva, D.M., Shevyakova, E.A. Influence of light and light compositions on visual and emotional perception in environmental design [Vliyanie sveta i svetovyh kompozicij na zritel’noe i emocional’noe vospriyatie v dizajne sredy] // Design and architecture: synthesis of theory and practice: a collection of scientific papers of the VI International Scientific and Practical Conference, Krasnodar, April 18–23, Krasnodar: Kuban State University, 2022. Vol. 6, pp. 69–72.
20. Klochko, A.R., Yasenetskaya, I.G. Modern trends in architectural design of hospices [Sovremennye tendencii v arhitekturnom proektirovanii hospisov] // Construction: science and education, 2020, Vol. 10, # 2, pp. 2.
21. Gharaveis, A., Shepley, M.M.C., Gaines, K. The Role of Daylighting in Skilled Nursing Short-Term Rehabilitation Facilities // Heal Environ Res Des J [Internet], 2016, Vol. 9, # 2, pp. 105–18.

• Previous article
• Next article

• lighting design
• hospice design
• hospice architecture
• hospice lighting