There are plenty of ways to boost your mood, but having the right lighting is one of the simplest ways to improve your day. In fact, the American Psychological Association has published works showing that light therapy can help reduce the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). For the most part “mood” lighting is best achieved with a typical lamp or standard lightbulb. It helps a bit, but you still feel like you’re indoors.
Now, imagine being in your basement or an isolated space, and looking up to see the sun shining through the ceiling. Thanks to advances in electronics technology, it is now possible for the sun and sky to reach you in any closed environment.
CoeLux is completely different from standard lamps because it uses special technology to simulate “sunlight”. Not only does it simulate rays of real light, but the lamp looks entirely like a real skylight. The website photos speak for themselves – there’s a note emphasizing that the product images are not computer generated or edited in any way.
The lighting works by using nanoparticles to match the exact color and quality of light coming through the atmosphere. Researchers refer this as the Rayleigh Scattering.
The product comes in three different versions:
CoeLux 60: This shines the light at a 60-degree angle to mimic tropical lighting. It’s bright, cooler, and high contrast.
CoeLux 45: This shines the light at a 45-degree angle which balances light and shade. It simulates a Mediterranean setting which is medium and balanced.
CoeLux 30: This is a wall window which shines light at a 30-degree angle, providing a warmer and more natural light. It’s intended to simulate a Nordic setting.
The product is relatively new, but just last November took home the FX International Interior Design Award for Best Lighting Product. The applications are virtually unlimited; CoeLux can be installed within just about any type of indoor architecture, with core use cases revolving around improving the ambiance and atmosphere of hotels, residences, retail locations, and transportation hubs.
Of all the applications, the most interesting seems to be usage in medical facilities. Humanitas, a radiological surgery center currently sues CoeLux lighting in their operating rooms to make the experience much less stressful for patients. Rather than feeling like they’re in a small isolated room, they feel like they’re in a more natural space with a large window.
Here’s the rub: CoeLux costs approximately $61,000 plus $7,600 for installation.
While the current version of the light is static, the company is working on versions where the light position and colors can be adjusted in real-time.
