You’ve probably come across it in the form of apps that change your screen from blue to yellow light, sleep modes on your phone to prevent disturbances at night, or even the smartwatches that monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen, and wake you up at the perfect moment in your sleep cycle, just as you’re transitioning out of deep sleep.
Smart watch measuring sleeping phases during nights sleep
Before we get swept up in the latest trend, let’s break down what circadian rhythms actually are. “Circadian” comes from the Latin words circa (meaning “around”) and diem (meaning “day”). So, these rhythms refer to biological cycles that usually repeat every 24-48 hours, though some can span longer periods, like monthly or yearly cycles.
These rhythms influence various aspects of our body’s functions—such as the time we’re most deeply asleep (typically around 2 a.m.) or when we’re most awake (often around 10 a.m.), the times of day when our body temperature is at its lowest (around 4:30 a.m.) or highest (around 7 p.m.), and of course, the secretion of melatonin, our sleep hormone.
Scheme of functional periods in human body in different day time
Humans are biologically hardwired to follow natural cycles. While modern life no longer holds the same dangers as it did for our ancestors, our internal clocks are still deeply connected to nature’s rhythms. Understanding and respecting your circadian rhythm can improve your sleep, health, and overall well-being.
Architecture shapes our environments, making them more comfortable and aligned with natural rhythms. Buildings are influenced by seasonal and daily changes, just like people are.
In terms of architecture, buildings are most directly influenced by seasonal changes. Socrates proposed a design that reflected the annual cycle: keeping the interior cool in the summer by preventing sunlight from entering, while allowing sunlight to warm the interior in the winter.
Modern designs, like the House Under the Forest by Modest Artificials, follow this principle, aligning spaces with natural rhythms for both comfort and energy efficiency.
Floor plan of Socrates’ house showing the penetration of light in different seasons
Our work partly corresponds to this concept, for example, House under the Forest:
Dům pod lesem Our work Modest Artificials
The most significant factor in circadian rhythms is light exposure, especially in the hours leading up to sleep. Blue light from screens or artificial light can trick our brains into thinking it’s still daytime, disrupting melatonin production. Ideally, as night falls, the light in our environment should shift to warmer, yellow-orange hues to signal our bodies that it’s time to wind down.
Smart home systems now make it easier than ever to optimize lighting for better circadian health. These systems adjust the light color and intensity based on the time of sunset, promoting melatonin production and helping you relax naturally before sleep.
We’ve seen the positive effects of these systems firsthand with Aulix installations. We’re even planning to implement them in our office to improve our energy levels, especially during the winter months when the lack of daylight can affect our mood.
Smart home lighting system
Smart Home Lighting Systems
There are smart home lighting systems that adjust the light in your home based on sunset times, which vary daily. These systems gradually shift the lighting to warmer tones and lower intensities as evening approaches, helping to synchronize your environment with natural rhythms.
The building “breathes” in tune with the day, and we’ve had positive experiences with these systems, as has our partner Aulix. We plan to implement this lighting dynamic in our office soon, especially in winter when we’ll all appreciate the benefits.
Modern solutions aim to improve our lives in simple ways. Imagine your living room and bedroom transitioning to warm yellow tones as the sun sets, with the light dimming to encourage melatonin production. Gradually, even your TV or computer screen will shift to warmer colors, creating a calming atmosphere. You may not notice it directly, but it will help you sleep better, stay in deeper sleep phases, and wake up naturally.
This is the ideal reality these technologies are designed to create, much like automatic blinds that block harsh sunlight or light systems that provide balanced natural lighting indoors. Dimming lights are already common in many homes. We hope that this technology becomes more accessible and integrates into everyday living, as it offers valuable benefits for a good night’s sleep.
