Quality indoor lighting for comfort, health, wellbeing and productivity
Quality indoor lighting for comfort, health, wellbeing and productivity, was written by Cosmin Ticleanu and Paul Littlefair. It was published by BRE Trust in February 2019 and is available as a free download at: https://www.bregroup.com/bretrust/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2019/02/Quality-indoor-lighting-Trust-report.pdf
Suitable indoor lighting and lighting controls are essential for people to work and move around a building safely, and also play a key role in their comfort, wellbeing, health and productivity.
But, in practice, indoor lighting is not always designed or installed to standard recommendations. Poor lighting can cause visual discomfort which may result in sore eyes, headaches, and the aches and pains associated with poor body posture.
Building designers, owners and occupants should be aware of the potential benefits of lighting design that meets the recommendations of codes and standards, and ensures occupants’ visual requirements are met. Well-designed lighting can help to maintain a healthy physiological and psychological balance through its influences on hormone secretions, body temperature, cognitive activities and moods.
This publication gives expert guidance on issues such as:
- Quality indoor lighting design.
- Visual comfort.
- Health and wellbeing.
- Emergency lighting.
- Relevant standards and codes.
Its contents are:
- Introduction.
- The role and impact of indoor lighting.
- Standard recommendations and guidance on indoor lighting.
- Post-occupancy evaluation of indoor lighting problems.
- Case study – Office space.
- Case study – Secondary school.
- Case study – Hospital.
- Case study – University campus.
- Conclusion.
- References.
- Acknowledgements.
Download it for free at: https://www.bregroup.com/bretrust/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2019/02/Quality-indoor-lighting-Trust-report.pdf
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles.
- BRE Expert Collection 6 Daylight and shading.
- BRE Trust.
- BREEAM Internal and external lighting.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Daylighting.
- BREEAM Visual comfort Glare control.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
- Human-centric lighting.
- Lighting and health infographic.
- Lighting.
Featured articles and news
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Some of the articles relating to water, here to browse. Any missing?
Recognisable Gothic characters, designed to dramatically spout water away from buildings.
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this.






















