Lighting & Acoustics for Health & Well-Being
A Call for Custom Lighting
Emerging lighting and technology studies indicate the need and effect of lighting on human health and well-being. The built environments we have created raise the question of whether the appropriate lighting and acoustic solutions are being provided for optimal comfort in these sensitive spaces.
With the prevalence of impersonal and dehumanization that can come with these environments, aaline focuses on lighting and acoustic design that introduces humanistic characteristics to customize and control the spaces we create.
Wood in Healthcare
Multiple studies, specifically the “Survival of Bacterial Strains on Wood (Quercus petraea) Compared to Polycarbonate, Aluminum and Stainless Steel” conducted by Chen et al. (2020) resulted in the tested bacterial strains surviving for less time on wood surfaces compared to other non-porous materials. The study highlights that “the short time to minimum detectable limit [of bacteria] is a substantial advantage for raw wood material” (Chen et al., 2020, p. 7).
The advantages of wood as an organic and renewable resource with natural antimicrobial properties has a “positive influence on the mental health and well-being of patients and medical staff” (Chen et al., 2020, p. 2). Paired with antimicrobial finishes, wood provides a sustainable alternative to traditional lighting and acoustic materials as an effective addition to healthcare spaces.
Antimicrobial Protection
Antimicrobial is defined as: “Destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms”. aaline’s fixtures are finished with antimicrobial technology using Microban® with active ingredients that successfully protect against microbial growth.
Comfort in the Built Environment
aaline is equipped to utilize innovative, sustainable materials and technology to provide accessible improvement of the human experience. All Linear Series systems are adjustable and controllable to various lighting parameters to shape environments. aaline products focus on balancing our biological and psychological senses to be in tune with our circadian rhythm.
aaline’s primary material offering is wood. The use of natural materials enriches the biophilic atmosphere that aligns with the materials, concepts, and principles that our nervous systems know well. This sense of familiarity and archetype of natural, solid materials provide a timeless and contemporary aesthetic that ultimately achieves comfort (Kotradyova et al., 2019).
“Wood with its natural and emotional impact through visual, tactile, and olfactory interaction also has positive objective properties of the healthy microclimate, such as great contact comfort, improvement of room acoustics, the regulation of air humidity in a space, reduction of VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions (“sink effect”), and antimicrobial properties due to the absence of surface treatment with all kinds of surface finishing, e.g., oil, wax, or varnish.” (Kotradyova et al., 2019, p. 2)
Results of a study conducted by Chen et al. (2020) displaying bacteria count over time for one of the bacteria strains tested with oak being the most resilient.
The use of Microban® in action, providing protein damage, cell disruiption, oxidative damage, and DNA distruption to harmful microbes (Microban, n.d.).
Products by Environment
Long-Term Care
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aaline’s Wall Mount sconce system is a minimal, elegant linear solution for modern environments where less is more. The units are highly customizable for different lengths, direction, assembly and power configurations.
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aaline's Linear Embedded light, including Anti-Glare upgrades, is the tried and true solution for any lighting scenario. As the staple piece in the collection, its minimal, sustainable design brings a soothing simplicity to any home or as part of a modular, scalable system for larger, commercial and industrial spaces.
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Made with locally sourced FSC-certified woods and a plastic-free diffuser the ECO light is aaline's first Declare Label-certified product. From material sourcing, production, to finished product every aspect of the ECO light has been carefully considered.
Health Care Practices
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aaline's Linear Embedded light, including Anti-Glare upgrades, is the tried and true solution for any lighting scenario. As the staple piece in the collection, its minimal, sustainable design brings a soothing simplicity to any home or as part of a modular, scalable system for larger, commercial and industrial spaces.
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The most remarkable feature of this series is the seamless, continuous illumination ideal for long runs. Boosted LED output will provide a better solution for higher ceilings. With up to 347V AC input, this collection is designed for scale.
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Polar Array, our elegant statement piece from aaline’s 2020 collection is designed with parametric attributes to allow a simple yet impressive mass-customizable system. Inspired by generative geometric algorithms, the Polar Array relies on key parameters provided by the architect/designer to arrive at a specific system with a unique appearance with exact specifications.
Public Clinics
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The Linear Wall Mount Out Facing, like all other aaline products, are carved from solid FSC certified Canadian hardwood. Available in both the Embedded and T8 LED systems, aaline's Linear Wall Mount provides a minimal and elegant lighting solution that is adaptable to any space.
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The Cylinder Series introduces new materials and colour palettes, with a primary focus on aluminum. This series embodies a cradle-to-cradle approach to the product lifecycle, capitalizing on aluminum’s versatility and infinite recyclability. Aluminum forms a unique potential for lighting solutions that aesthetically harmonize with interior spaces that call for a similar material approach.
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aaline’s Wall Mount Side Glow sconce system is a minimal, elegant linear solution with ADA compliance in wall protrusion. The units are highly customizable for different lengths, direction, assembly and power configuration.
Comfort in the Office
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aaline’s Echo Wall Panel system is a sculptural solution for enhancing the acoustic performance of interior spaces while offering an elegantly bold aesthetic. This kit of parts is available in 3 modules to be a tool in any designer’s toolbox for creating uniquely dynamic environments with a simple, fast solution.
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aaline’s LW-EB-LCA series is our solution for larger projects that require seamless integration of the lighting and acoustic performance in a cost-effective manner. The system is made with 100% natural felt, backed with sound-absorbent fiber boards. It is one of the best performing acoustic solutions and the first Zero-Plastic acoustic light with a Class A fire rating.
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aaline’s Plane is a hybrid between an acoustic baffle and light. Versatile by nature, the simple shape encourages the use of cluster-based compositions. Available in 4 sizes to dynamically fill overhead space with endless configurations. Plane is an opportunity to create a visually compelling acoustic space with sculptural properties and high end finishes.
Lighting Upgrades
Anti-Glare
Our anti-glare upgrade option has been carefully crafted to minimize glare and provide a comfortable lighting experience. With our proprietary carved-visor design, the luminaire sits higher up in the fixture, allowing the carved portion to reflect and diffuse the light. As a result, our light produces minimal glare, with a UGR<10 at the average sitting position. This makes our products ideal for use in WELL-certified and LEED buildings that require UGR<16.
Daylight Harvesting (LW-EB-LC)
Our integrated sensors allow lighting to automatically respond to lighting conditions in interior spaces, effectively reducing energy costs. The comfort and convenience of appropriate light intensity provide healthier working conditions to maintain our circadian rhythms and work seamlessly with the combined benefit of natural and built lighting.
Task Level: 70%-100%
Background Level: 20% or 50%
Hold Time: Off, 10s, 10 min, or 30 min
Prolong Time: Infinite, 9 min, 30 min, or 60 min
PIR Occupancy Sensor (LW-EB-LC)
The convenience of our integrated occupancy sensors allows a touch-free control of automatic on/off lighting. This allows a code-compliant integration that reduces the waste of lights left on in unoccupied spaces.
Detection Angle: 120°
Maximum Mounting Use: 15ft
Major/Minor Movement Detection: (Person moving ≥ or ≤ 3.0’/s or 0.9m/s)
Made for Your Space
aaline products are made for projects of scale. Adaptable in nature, a variety of parameters and custom options are available to match specific requirements for any space.
Resources
Chen, J.-C., Munir, M. T., Aviat, F., Lepelletier, D., Le Pape, P., Dubreil, L., Irle, M., Federighi, M., Belloncle, C., Eveillard, M., & Pailhoriès, H. (2020, November 13). Survival of bacterial strains on wood (Quercus petraea) compared to polycarbonate, aluminum and stainless steel. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/9/11/804
How does microban antimicrobial protection work?. Microban. (n.d.). https://www.microban.com/antimicrobial-solutions/overview/how-does-antimicrobial-technology-work
Kotradyová, V., & Kaliňáková, B. (2014). Wood as Material Suitable for Health Care and Therapeutic Facilities. Advanced Materials Research, 1041, 362–366. doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1041.362
Kotradyova, V., Vavrinsky, E., Kalinakova, B., Petro, D., Jansakova, K., Boles, M., & Svobodova, H. (2019, September 19). Wood and its impact on humans and environment quality in health care facilities. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/18/3496
Munir, M. T., Pailhories, H., Eveillard, M., Aviat, F., Lepelletier, D., Belloncle, C., & Federighi, M. (2019, February 13). Antimicrobial characteristics of untreated wood towards a hygienic environment. SCIRP. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=90527
Munir, M. T., Pailhoriès, H., Aviat, F., Lepelletier, D., Pape, P. L., Dubreil, L., Irle, M., Buchner, J., Eveillard, M., Federighi, M., & Belloncle, C. (2021, May 20). Hygienic perspectives of wood in Healthcare Buildings. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/1/1/2