Ruoying Wu

Hospital lighting was designed for clinical use to create the sense of a professional and sanitary environment. Lighting conditions are uniform in every area of the hospital, regardless of the areas’ use, reflecting the original utilitarian design. Hospital visitors often experience a wide range of emotional needs, outside of the need for pure medical attention. In transitional spaces of the hospital—areas where different types of facilities physically connect—these feelings of stress, embarrassment, and fear, remain unaddressed. I argue that lighting design can be used to better adapt these spaces for thought, reflection, or preparation. This thesis will contribute to the development of new light applications in hospital spaces by utilizing varied light intensity that incorporates colors and textures to create a soothing experience for patients and visitors.