lumenpositiven

Lumenpositiven is a neologism used in lighting design and environmental psychology to describe systems, practices, and criteria aimed at maximizing the positive effects of light on human well-being. It emphasizes not only brightness and energy efficiency but also how spectral content, timing, and distribution influence mood, performance, and circadian health.

Etymologically, the term combines lumen, the unit of luminous flux, with a positive orientation toward human experience. In practice, lumenpositiven denotes an approach that treats lighting as a central factor in occupant comfort and health, rather than a mere technical utility.

Core principles of lumenpositiven include aligning artificial lighting with human circadian rhythms, selecting appropriate correlated color temperature and color rendering, and ensuring glare-free, flicker-free illumination. Dynamic lighting that adapts to time of day or activity, as well as integration with daylight, are common features. Design decisions often consider both objective metrics, such as melanopic light content and flicker rates, and subjective outcomes, including mood and perceived alertness.

Applications span architectural lighting in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and public spaces, as well as consumer devices and urban lighting that seek to support well-being. In practice, lumenpositiven strategies are sometimes discussed alongside related concepts like human-centric lighting and circadian lighting, though the term is not universally standardized and may vary in emphasis across regions and industries.

See also: human-centric lighting, circadian lighting, lighting design, melanopic lux.