HOSPITAL LIGHTING ISABEL MUZI, PAULA BRASIL, SYLVIA ROLA, FÁBIO BITENCOURT – BRAZIL
Kinetic façades with responsive technology
Isabel Muzi, Paula Brasil, Sylvia Rola, and Fábio Bitencourt discuss the critical importance of incorporating natural light into the design of healthcare facilities, with specific reference to inpatient rooms in Brazilian hospitals.
In Brazil, the use of natural light is one of the main strategies in the search for humanized environments that contribute to the healing process of patients in health care establishments (EAS – the Portuguese acronym for Healthcare Facilities). Some architectural solutions have provided better natural lighting and ventilation conditions, recognising the prophylactic action of sunlight and direct contact with the environment. However,
with the incorporation of air conditioning and mechanical exhaust technologies, which allow total climate control in the hospital environment, some environments no longer receive natural light, including hospital admissions. The Board of Directors Regulation No.
50/2002, the technical regulation for the preparation and evaluation of physical projects for healthcare buildings in Brazil, recommends natural light for most
Properly applied natural lighting in hospital settings has a significant impact on the health outcomes of patients and clinical staff, particularly in inpatient rooms
functional units of a hospital.1 However,
inpatient rooms must have control systems, as they are environments that lack special lighting conditions and require direct natural light. On the other hand, in the international context, the growing influence of technology is creating a scenario of change in building façades, considering one of the main benefits of kinetic façades with responsive technology to be interaction with natural light. Several studies have focused on understanding how kinetic façades contribute to the lighting comfort and energy efficiency of buildings,2
but none
Isabel Muzi
Paula Brasil
Sylvia Rola
Fábio Bitencourt
•Isabel Muzi, architect,holds an
M.Sc. in Healthcare Comfort and Energy Efficiency (CNPq, PROARQ/FAU/UFRJ) and an MBA in Project Management (FGV). She is a researcher at the Energy, Space and Society Group (EES/UFRJ) and at the Architecture and Cities Group (LabArc/IVIG/UFRJ) and works in the development of urban and architectural projects and the preparation of reports and technical assessments, with emphasis on applied sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological innovation in the built environment.
•Paula Brasil, architect, holds a PhD in Innovation and Technologies for Design Quality (PPGAU/UFF/ Fraunhofer Institut). She is a Specialist in Project Management (FGV), Professor at the School of Engineering, Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ), and coordinator of the Undergraduate Program in Architecture and Urbanism at Unilasalle-RJ. Paula is head of the GEPAC Laboratory and research groups in the areas of project management, education, sustainability, and BIM.
•Sylvia Rola, architect, holds a PhD in Energy Planning and is a Specialist in Urban Sustainability (UACH-MX). A Professor at the undergraduate and graduate programs in Architecture at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Sylvia is also coordinator of the Energy, Space and Society Group (EES/UFRJ) and the Architecture and Cities Group (LabArc/IVIG/UFRJ). She works in the fields of urban and building sustainability, technology, biophilia, environment, energy efficiency, and environmental comfort.
•Fábio Bitencourt, architect, professor, and researcher, holds a Doctorate in Sciences of Architecture and a Masters in Healthcare Comfort. He has been a Member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) since 2014 and is a Member of the Brazilian Academy of Hospital Management (ABAH). Fábio is the author of various books and publications on healthcare architecture and is Past President of the Brazilian Association of Healthcare Building (ABDEH) (2011/2014).
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have been dedicated to hospital architecture. Properly applied natural lighting in hospital settings has a significant impact on the health outcomes of patients and clinical staff, particularly in inpatient rooms, where some patients spend extended periods recovering. Studies have shown that natural light and views of the building’s exterior are important for improving the health of patients and clinical staff, also increasing psychological and physical wellbeing, as they directly impact the circadian rhythm. If the circadian rhythm is not stimulated, patients and the entire clinical team in hospitals will have difficulty replenishing vital endocrine energy, cellular growth, and strengthening immunity.3,4 Studies have shown that postoperative
sunlight exposure for surgical patients throughout their hospital recovery period resulted in reduced stress, pain, analgesic use, and consequently, medication costs.5,6 Technical staff reported improved alertness, less stress, and greater job satisfaction.7
As one of the most important elements of a building, façades represent a critical point in architectural design. If not properly designed, they can have negative impacts, such as increasing solar radiation levels, leading to thermal and visual discomfort inside the building. However, with proper design, the adoption of building envelope systems can translate into significant energy savings and
IFHE DIGEST 2026
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