Philips has installed a system of LED lights in an office in Prague that are designed to support workers' circadian rhythms throughout the day.
The lights, installed in the refurbished Czech Republic headquarters of energy company Innogy, could provide the same energy hit as drinking a cup of coffee, claim the designers.
"We've taken our knowledge of how light physiologically benefits people from successful projects in hospitals and schools and applied it to the offices space," said Ji?í Tourek, country manager at Philips Lighting.
"We know that exposure to a certain comfortable bright light setting for one-hour can provide a mild energy stimulus similar to a cup of coffee and supports wakefulness.?

Along with light intensity, which is measured in lux, energy levels can also be affected by the colour temperature, which is measured in kelvins. According to Philips, exposing the human body to light settings of 5,000 kelvins at 780 lux for between one and four hours has been shown to increase alertness.
Based on this research, brightness and colour warmth levels have been programmed to change at set points throughout the day to increase office workers' energy at key times.

"At the beginning of the day the office lights mimic natural daylight, providing a useful energy boost," said Tomá? Michna, senior manager for facilities and services at Innogy.
"The light levels decrease until after lunch when we give another boost to help staff over the p...