Vendome Hospital in Vendome, France, recently incorporated a series of award-winning Luminous SkyCeilings into one of their interior office spaces. This network of six virtual skylights was designed to create a single, integrated biophilic illusion of open skies.
Like Vendome, more and more hospitals are taking advantage of the restorative qualities of simulated exterior views to nature. Whereas these architectural features have become the standard in diagnostic and therapeutic radiology treatment rooms, their restorative effectiveness has found new value in windowless offices and areas of the hospital where staff do not have access to daylight view or a green exterior.
Having visual access to a green exterior is most sought-after feature in commercial architecture and biophilic illusions are particularly effective in areas of a building where it is not possible to create a visual change of scale—like window views offer—that provide both a means to scan the exterior and gain a measure of cognitive restoration from focused work.
Sky Factory’s Open Skies Image Technology not only provides the principal benefit of representational images, which is their positive psychological effect on the observer, but unlike symbolic images, illusions of nature uniquely engage areas of the brain involved in spatial cognition.
According to published research, Sky Factory’s open sky photographic compositions engage the cerebellum, often involved in depth perception. By creating perceived open space, an illusory skylight deepens biophilic engagement-the alert, but relaxed psycho-physiology we experience in undisturbed, natural environments.
Unlike most nature photography that elicits positive distraction, biophilic illusions are designed to recall a spatial as well as visual memory of natural environments. Rather than distract the observer, biophilic illusions reduce mental activity by creating an organic connection to perceived natural exterior that facilitates cognitive restoration.
The WELL Building Standard®, which sheds new light on the importance of biophilic elements in the built environment, highlights isolated interiors as an area of concern.
The Luminous SkyCeiling at Vendome Hospital consist of multiple virtual skylights in modular arrays of 4′ X 8′ (1.2m X 2.4m) and 6′ X 8′ (1.8m X 2.4m) openings.
The SkyTile (image panel) dimensions for the Classic Luminous SkyCeilings measure 2′ X 2′ (60cm X 60cm). Custom sizing is also available in rectilinear, curvilinear, or combined.
Speak with a Sky Designer today to discuss the details about your project.
