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Beyond What We See – Exploring the Biological Role of Light
For most of human history, people lived almost entirely under natural daylight. The rhythms of sunrise and sunset shaped sleeping patterns, activity levels and the way the body responded to the environment. Today, modern life looks very different. Humans now spend 90% of their time indoors, surrounded by artificial light and increasingly separated from the full spectrum of daylight under which humans evolved. In conversations around wellbeing and the health of the human body, some researchers are beginning to ask whether light may influence the body in ways that extend beyond vision alone. One of those researchers is neuroscientist Professor Glen Jeffery at UCL’s Institute of Ophthalmology, whose research explores the relationship between light, mitochondria, ageing and visual function, including the potential biological role of longer wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum. This interview explores his research, insights, and the growing conversation about how modern indoor environments may be changing humanity’s relationship with light - not just visually, but biologically as well. The Evolution of Humans Under Daylight At the centre of Glen’s thinking is a relatively simple idea: the human body evolved under the full spectrum of sunlight over millions of years. “So many parts of your body and systems in your body were set over exposure to sunlight over millions of years,” he explains. “Your body has lost contact with your evolutionary history.” He explains that this evolutionary perspective is central to understanding why light may matter biologically. Human physiology developed in outdoor environments where daylight exposure was continuous, dynamic and spectrally rich. Modern indoor life, by comparison, represents a dramatic environmental shift. This does not mean modern lighting is inherently harmful, but rather society may only now be beginning to understand how profoundly modern environments have changed the way humans experience light. Beyond the Visible Spectrum When it comes to designing light, conversations often focus on what people can see: brightness, colour temperature, contrast, glare and visual comfort. Glen’s research, however, explores the possibility that wavelengths outside visible vision may also influence the body. “You only see a minute amount of the spectrum of sunlight, between roughly 400 nanometres (nm) to 700nm,” he explains. Visible light occupies only a relatively narrow band within the wider electromagnetic spectrum. Beyond it sit ultraviolet wavelengths on one side and infrared wavelengths on the other - both largely invisible to the human eye. Much of his recent work has focused on longer infrared wavelengths and their potential relationship with mitochondria - the structures within cells responsible for energy production. He argues that much of the sunlight exists beyond the visible spectrum that humans experience with the naked eye. This is where the conversation begins to move beyond traditional lighting discussions and into broader biological territory. Mitochondria, Energy and Ageing A significant portion of his recent work has explored how longer wavelengths of light - particularly around 670nm and near-infrared ranges - may influence mitochondrial performance and age-related decline in both animals and humans. A term many people may be unfamiliar with, but one that plays a fundamental role in the human body, is mitochondria. Often described as the body’s energy systems, mitochondria are essential to almost every biological process. “Everything you’re doing is relying on mitochondria,” Glen says. “Whether that’s using your muscles to kick your legs out of bed, or reach out for that cup of coffee.” In simple terms, mitochondria produce ATP, the molecule that powers cellular activity. His research explores how longer-wavelength light beyond 700nm may influence the efficiency of this process. “Long wavelength light lubricates each point where there’s a slight bit of resistance,” he explains, describing how photons may help support electron transfer within cellular energy pathways. While much of the science remains under investigation, Glen believes mitochondria may sit at the centre of broader questions around ageing, metabolism and human health. “The theory that sticks to the wall hardest is called the mitochondrial theory of ageing,” he says - the idea that ageing is closely linked to the gradual decline of mitochondria over time. As mitochondria become less efficient, the body’s ability to produce energy and maintain healthy function may also deteriorate. It is, however, important not to overstate conclusions. He emphasises that this is an evolving field with many unanswered questions, and believes the relationship between light, biology and human health deserves greater attention than it currently receives. Modern Indoor Life Whilst humans evolved under natural daylight, modern life is very different. People now spend much more time indoors than previous generations, fundamentally changing daily exposure to natural light. He points not only to artificial lighting, but to indoor lifestyles more broadly. Modern life increasingly takes place inside controlled environments, often with limited exposure to the full spectrum of daylight under which humans historically evolved. “We are making ourselves vulnerable because we’re living inside,” he says, “and we’re exacerbating that vulnerability with LED lighting.” Importantly, Glen does not separate modern indoor living from lighting technology itself. Instead, he sees them as interconnected parts of a much wider environmental shift. Beyond Circadian Lighting? Over the past decade, the lighting industry has increasingly explored circadian rhythms and human-centric lighting - particularly the role of light timing and blue wavelengths in regulating sleep and alertness. Glen does not see his research as contradicting that work, but rather broadening the conversation. In his opinion, it would be a mistake to think that light only does one thing. While circadian research largely focuses on visible wavelengths associated with the body clock, Glen’s work looks further into the infrared end of the spectrum and its potential biological effects. “These are two things that run hand in hand,” he explains. For him, the growing interest in circadian lighting reflects a wider shift towards understanding that light may influence people in multiple ways beyond visibility alone. A Conversation Still Emerging Glen believes researchers may now be approaching an important moment - not because all the answers exist, but because the questions themselves are beginning to change. For decades, conversations around light have understandably focused on visibility and visual performance. Increasingly, however, researchers are exploring whether light may also influence the body in broader biological ways that remain only partially understood. Exactly where this research may lead remains uncertain. But discussions around daylight, wavelength, and human biology are beginning to open new conversations about the relationship between people, light, and the environments they spend most of their lives in. In Part 2, we explore what these emerging ideas could potentially mean for lighting design, architecture and the future of healthy indoor environments.
NEWS ARTICLE |
Celebrating Retail Design: Inside Fagerhult's Health & Beauty Retail Safari
In retail, there is still no substitute for experiencing stores in person. That idea sits at the heart of Fagerhult's Retail Safari programme. Hosted by retail consultant Phil D'Souza, the initiative brings together retailers, designers and industry specialists to explore standout store environments, share perspectives and celebrate the creativity shaping the sector. With more than 30 years of experience spanning visual merchandising, store design, retail format development and customer experience, Phil has spent much of his career exploring how physical environments influence customer behaviour, brand perception and commercial success. Today, through his consultancy work and collaboration with Fagerhult, he helps retailers create spaces that engage, inspire and perform, making him an ideal guide for these immersive retail explorations. The recent Health & Beauty Retail Safari saw participants spend an afternoon visiting 12 stores across London's West End. Rather than critiquing brands against a checklist, the safari created space for observation, discussion and inspiration, examining how retailers use layout, materials, merchandising and lighting to shape customer experiences. Qoute Different Brands, Different Answers Health and beauty proved a particularly interesting sector to explore because of the diversity of brands operating within it. "It's a really dynamic sector," says Phil. "You've got legacy brands alongside direct-to-consumer startups that have successfully transitioned into physical retail. That creates a really diverse environment." For the retailers and designers attending, that diversity was evident throughout the safari. Across the stores, participants encountered very different approaches to customer experience, despite many brands ultimately selling similar categories of products. By focusing on a single sector, the group could compare how brands interpreted space, atmosphere and product presentation in distinct ways. "You're able to look at what could ostensibly be a similar product type being presented through very different combinations of design, layout, materials and architecture," says Phil. "Ultimately, that respects the brand and creates a more immersive experience for the consumer." The Power of Product Presentation One of the standout examples came from Molton Brown's Regent Street flagship. The store uses ambient lighting to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with lighting also integrated directly into the shelving displays. "The thing about Molton Brown is that most bottles are clear, so customers often recognise and select products by colour," explains Phil. "What they've done by adding lighting into the shelving is almost illuminate the product from within." Unlike many brands where colour sits on the packaging, Molton Brown's clear bottles showcase the product itself. The distinctive colours of the shower gels, hand washes and bath products become a visual shorthand for different fragrances and collections, helping customers quickly spot familiar favourites or explore new options. The effect transforms the presentation of the products, amplifying the intensity of colour and helping customers navigate the range intuitively. "It almost creates this ethereal glow," he says. "They've not only lit the space, they've exploited the intensity of the colour of the product itself." For participants, it demonstrated how lighting can become part of the product experience rather than simply illuminating it. Creating Atmosphere Through Design Another memorable stop was Penhaligon's on Regent Street. For Phil, the store illustrated how lighting works most effectively when considered alongside every other element of the environment. "Penhaligon's felt like walking into someone's wonderful home," he says. Artwork, warm timber finishes, brass detailing, rich colours and discreet lighting combined to create a calm and highly immersive experience. "You suddenly realise that when you add all these things together and light them correctly, you feel very calm and very immersed in the environment," says Phil. "That's the power of good retail design underpinned by fantastic lighting solutions." Rather than drawing attention to individual features, the design worked as a cohesive whole to reinforce the brand's identity. One Brand, Two Very Different Stores One of the most interesting discussions emerged from comparing two stores operated by the same retailer. Participants visited two Aesop locations situated only a short distance apart: one on Regent Street and another on Beak Street. Despite sharing the same brand, the stores felt entirely different. The Regent Street location reflected the scale and character of its flagship surroundings, while the Beak Street store adopted a much simpler aesthetic more suited to its local context. "What was really interesting was that the store design on Beak Street reflected Beak Street, and the store design on Regent Street reflected Regent Street," says Phil. This approach extended across the brand's wider portfolio. "If you go to Kensington it's completely different again. If you go to Islington it's different again." For participants, it highlighted an increasingly sophisticated approach to retail design, where consistency comes from brand values and customer experience rather than identical store formats. "They're thinking about who's visiting the store," says Phil. "It doesn't really matter that every store isn't exactly the same. They reflect the consumer who's shopping in that location." Looking Beyond the Store Interior While much of the discussion focused on interiors, Phil encouraged participants to consider the customer experience before entering the store. "Standing outside a store is as important as being inside it," he says. Storefronts, windows and exterior lighting all play a role in shaping expectations and attracting attention within a competitive retail environment. "It's what you spot when you're walking past," he explains. "The better the environment is, the more likely you are as a consumer to consider that space." For retailers and designers alike, it served as a reminder that customer experience begins long before a purchase decision is made. Celebrating Great Retail A consistent theme throughout the safari was the desire to celebrate great retail design rather than critique it. That sense of celebration extended into the stores themselves. Ahead of the safari, the Fagerhult team spoke with the retailers they planned to visit. Phil says the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Pretty much every store said, ‘This is fantastic. Thank you so much. Yes, please come in,’’ he recalls. For him, that reaction reflected something important about physical retail: when a store has been carefully designed and invested in, teams are often proud to share it. Their enthusiasm adds another layer to the experience, reinforcing the relationship between brand, environment and people. Across the twelve stores, participants encountered a variety of approaches to lighting, layout, product presentation and customer engagement. While no two environments were the same, each demonstrated how considered design can shape the way customers experience a brand. "When you see some really good retail design, it creates fantastic ideation and fantastic creativity," adds Phil. Explore how Fagerhult can support your next retail project — from store openings to refurbishments — by getting in touch with our team. Coming soon: In a forthcoming profile feature, Phil D'Souza shares insights from more than 30 years in retail, exploring how store design, visual merchandising, customer experience and lighting have evolved, and what today's retailers can learn from creating environments that engage, inspire and perform.
NEWS ARTICLE |
Five Ways Retail Lighting Supports Staff Wellbeing
Happier employees convert more interactions into sales: one study found that a one-point rise in employee happiness led to a ~12% increase in sales productivity. Conversely, when staff are emotionally exhausted (low mood, fatigue), they are more likely to engage in service sabotage behaviours that undermine customer experience and sales. Lighting is an often-overlooked tool in shaping staff wellbeing. Well-designed lighting helps create environments where employees feel energised, confident, and valued. Here are five ways retailers can use lighting strategically to support staff wellbeing and drive performance. 1. Use Dynamic Lighting Where Staff Spend Time Retail teams often work variable shifts, including early mornings, late evenings, and weekends, which can disrupt natural routines and contribute to fatigue. While full circadian lighting strategies can be difficult to implement across the sales floor, where lighting is often driven by brand standards and visual merchandising requirements, they can be far more effective in staff-focused areas such as break rooms, back-of-house spaces, and cafés. In these environments, lighting can be tuned to support how the space is used throughout the day. Brighter, cooler light may help support alertness in staff areas during early or busy shifts, while warmer, softer light can help create a calmer atmosphere in break spaces later in the day. In customer dwell spaces such as cafés, dynamic lighting can also help shape the pace and feel of the environment, creating brighter, more energised settings during peak periods and warmer, more relaxed conditions later in the day. For staff spending extended time in these environments, this more considered approach to lighting can help create spaces that feel more comfortable, functional, and supportive across the working day. 2. Design for the Task, Not Just the Space Retail staff move constantly between tasks, from replenishing stock and changing displays to operating tills and helping customers. Each task places different demands on the eye, which means lighting needs to support the activity as well as the environment. In practice, this means pairing consistent ambient lighting with more focused task lighting where detailed work takes place, such as stockrooms, fitting rooms, service desks, and checkout areas. Much of this should already be addressed through good lighting design practice. Appropriate light levels, glare control, and visual balance are fundamental to creating spaces that are safe, comfortable, and functional for staff. When lighting is designed around the task at hand, staff can work more accurately and comfortably, helping reduce visual fatigue and support smoother day-to-day operations. 3. Support Inclusivity Retail teams often include people with a wide range of needs, including visual sensitivities, colour vision differences, and neurodivergent traits. Lighting that is too harsh, overly contrasting, or prone to flicker can make the working environment more difficult than it needs to be. Inclusive lighting design helps reduce these issues and creates spaces that feel calmer, more manageable, and more comfortable to work in. This might include providing adjustable lighting in staff-only areas, reducing excessive contrast between surfaces, or using adaptive controls to support specific tasks such as detailed labelling or evening restocking without relying on overly harsh overhead light. These adjustments can help staff feel more comfortable and more in control of their environment, supporting confidence, concentration, and day-to-day wellbeing. Staff who are able to work in conditions that suit them are more likely to feel at ease, provide attentive service, and help the store run smoothly. For further reading, see our interview with Dave Hughes, Head of Lighting Design at Fagerhult, where he discusses how strategic lighting choices can improve accessibility, comfort, and the overall shopping experience for all. 4. Integrate Natural Light In many retail environments, staff spend long hours away from windows or in stockrooms with little or no access to daylight. Yet natural light can have a significant effect on energy, mood, and concentration, with studies suggesting that daylight exposure can increase productivity by more than 60%. Where possible, introducing more daylight into staff spaces can help improve comfort and support alertness throughout the day. This might include incorporating windows, rooflights, or borrowed light into back-of-house areas, break rooms, or shared staff spaces. Studies by Smolders et al. and Boubekri et al. (2014) in office settings found that workers exposed to daylight reported higher vitality, better sleep quality, and improved concentration compared to those without window access. In retail, staff are likely to benefit in similar ways, with more energy and focus throughout their shifts. That can translate into better customer service, stronger attention to merchandising, and fewer errors during busy trading periods. 5. Create Comfortable, Balanced Environments Retail environments serve multiple functions, and lighting should reflect that. The visual needs of a sales floor are different from those of a fitting room, stockroom, till point, or staff break area. A well-considered lighting scheme responds to those differences, using light to support the purpose of each space rather than applying a uniform approach throughout. That may mean brighter, more focused lighting in task-driven areas, softer lighting in staff recovery spaces, or carefully placed feature lighting to draw attention where focus is needed. For example, more targeted lighting can help define areas of attention and support concentration, while softer surrounding light can create a calmer overall environment. When lighting is well-designed and adaptable, it becomes easier for staff to stay focused, work comfortably, and move effectively between the different demands of the retail day. How Fagerhult Can Help Lighting is more than a design feature – it is a practical tool that directly influences staff wellbeing, performance, and the overall customer experience. Even small changes to lighting can make a noticeable difference to staff wellbeing and the day-to-day running of a store. To learn more about designing retail environments that support wellbeing and inclusivity, contact Fagerhult today. A few carefully considered lighting interventions can change how your team feels, works, and connects, creating happier staff and more satisfied customers.
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