DIEM
A circadian light that increases stem patients' recovery
and allows nurses to feel more refreshed during night shifts.
Problem
Patients are in the hospital for 4+ weeks during stem cell treatments. During this time they often feel isolated from friends and family.
Along with this emotional burden, the treatment process is extensive and exhausting. It's found that circadian rhythm is crucial to the homeostasis of stem cells.
Opportunity
Opportunity lies in creating a lighting system designed for stem cell treatment rooms that feels familiar and aids with recovery.
2 weeks
Digital Sketching
Diem is designed for comfort.
Softbox lighting, tambour shade, and brass accents create a homey feel contrasting unfeeling hospital decor.
The tambour shade is controlled via remote, allowing patients and loved ones complete control over the room's brightness.
Circadian rhythm lighting benefits.
Circadian lighting helps patients rest more easily, but also aids in the homeostasis of stem cells. Dim lighting currently used in healthcare systems is proposed to help promote rest, but is actually counterproductive, negatively impacting fatigue, mood, and pain.
Not only does the natural 24-hour cycled lighting help with tissue recovery and even memory retention in elderly patients, but it allows hospital staff to remain alert and awake
Circadian rhythm lighting benefits nursing staff.
Studies show that bright, direct light in 15-minute intervals allows night shift workers to maintain their sleep cycle and remain alert during the whole of the night. The wall task lighting included in the Diem system gives the opportunity for this intermittent exposure.
.png)
Ideation
To increase the feeling of familiarity, elements of nature and biomimicry were the base of the form for the lighting.
Large overhead lighting was immediately the direction for this project, being the best option for soft diffused light that covered an entire room and matched the circadian lighting, almost appearing "sun-like".
Iteration
The track placement is critical to allowing complete control over brightness in all parts of the treatment room.
Different colorways explore different tones of wood, combined with different metal styles. Ultimately, a warm-toned brass and deep walnut.
The final form mimics a ginkgo leaf with the paneling and gentle curve of the shade.
