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Sunlight’s role in recovery and wellbeing highlighted

Architect, Richard Mazuch, founder and champion of IBI TH!NK, the IBI Group’s ‘in-house’ research and development group, and an advocate of evidence-based design in ‘creating innovations that positively impact the psychology and physiology of patient groups’, examines the many positive therapeutic benefits – both physical and mental – of ensuring that modern healthcare buildings, and the patients being treated within them, get sufficient sunlight.

As we were about to enter the summer of 2019, the hottest of the four temperate seasons, New Scientist issued two magazine editions – on 16 March and 1 June – with leading front page ‘anchor articles’ entitled ‘Let the sun shine in – Why blocking out the sun is damaging your health’, and ‘Light up your life – How getting more daylight can transform your health’. Little did we know that the weather stations would monitor the most extreme weather ever recorded in the UK. Both these articles were authored by Linda Geddes, author of Chasing the Sun, and The New Science of Sunlight and how it shapes our bodies and minds. In essence, the articles investigated and informed the reader about the conflict between applying sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, and sunlight deprivation doing more harm to health than good. Much supporting and compelling evidence was investigated in both articles. 

Further to Linda Geddes’ considerable contribution in this field, Richard Hobday, an authority on sunlight and health in the building environment, as well as a specialist in solar technology and energy conservation, has contributed much to this debate. He has authored two popular books on the subject, entitled The Healing Sun: Sunlight and Health in the 21st Century and The Light Revolution: Health Architecture and the Sun, providing valuable insights, historical background, research, and evidence, on how to promote health in the built environment. 

Clinicians’ concerns

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Upcoming Events

The Fire Safety Event 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
30th April - 2 May 2024

Wales regional conference, exhibition and awards dinner 2024

International Conference Centre (ICC) Newport
28th - 29th May 2024

NAHFO National Conference 2024

Crowne Plaza Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 5th June 2024

Design in Mental Health 2024

Manchester Central
4th - 5th June 2024

InstallerSHOW 2024

National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham
25th - 27th June

Healthcare Estates 2024

Manchester Central
8th-9th October 2024

Access the latest issue of Health Estate Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Health Estate Journal app from your device's App store

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