A retrofit design of a stress-reducing, human-centric lighting plan for an aircraft entry

Abstract

This is a thesis report in Integrated Product Design, along with STG Aerospace in Cwmbran, Wales. It is a design project centered around the entry lighting of an aircraft galley. The analysis provided possibilities to reduce stress using light. These are showing information from trusted and authoritative sources, enlarging the perception of galley optically and physically to negate the feel of claustrophobia and using dynamic lighting as calming effects and asa means of communication.

The embodiment design used requirements and translated them into a lighting plan, which is created from lighting-based design solutions. This lighting plan details the functions the light will fulfil, and how the psychological requirements are addressed within the architecture of the aircraft galley.

Four elements compose this lighting plan; 1) a central luminaire, 2) spotlights, 3) a dynamic lighting component, and 4) a projection of information. The duration of this project was too short to fully elaborate upon every aspect of the lighting plan, so the focus for the final design is on a central luminaire with integrated dynamic lighting, as it showed the most potential of having an effect on passengers.

The final design proposal is a luminaire with a LED print-circuit board as light source and a diffuser made by thermoforming a diffuse sheet of polycarbonate, selected for its impact resistance and fire classification, making it the go-to material for light diffusers in the aircraft industry. The luminaire has a flowing character and curved design that matches the current trend in aviation, welcoming passengers and guiding them in the right direction.

Light is dynamically as pulsing LEDs moving along the edge of the luminaire with streaks of blue, mirroring clouds that pass by while also guiding passengers along. The larger luminaire provides cabin crew and passengers with improved lighting conditions that match required lighting values while creating the perception that the galley is enlarged optically by shining light along the ceiling.

The evaluation of the design was conducted in the DUT Aircraft Lab by recreating stress and having participants re-enact the boarding experience. The first iteration shows only general lighting, the second includes the full effect of the luminaire with dynamic lighting. The results, that compare the evaluated atmospheres in the galley, indicate that the addition of the dynamic lighting has a positive effect on the experienced atmosphere in the galley, suggesting a reduction of stress.

The qualitative feedback from participants shows that the effect of the luminaire design and the dynamic lighting do help to create a more relaxed atmosphere, positively influencing the boarding experience. The design is associated by several participants with clouds passing through a clear sky and people find the design calming and intriguing.

The lighting plan functions as envisioned and should help to reduce stress among passengers using dynamic light to evoke a calmer atmosphere while simultaneously capturing the attention with its design. STG Aerospace will benefit from the research supporting these conclusions and now have a direction in which the galley lighting can be developed further.