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Andrew Green

Andrew Green, who is currently studying at the Lincoln School of Architecture, UK (BA Architecture Lv 3), was shortlisted in the Architects for Health's First Student Health Design Award (2007) for the following submission. For contact please email: greenjunkie@hotmail.com

Seasonal Affective Disorder Rehabilitation Centre, Reykjavik, Iceland

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of winter depression that affects an estimated half a million people every wirer between September and April, in particular during December, January and February. It is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. For many people SAD is a seriously disabling illness, preventing them from functioning normally without continuous medical treatment. SAD can be a serious disorder and may require hospitalization. The symptoms of SAD mimic those of clinical depression, although, at times, patients may not feel depressed, but rather lack energy to get out of bed and do things.

Throughout the northern hemisphere, levels of daylight are significantly reduced during winter months. People who live in the Arctic region are especially susceptible due to the effects of polar nights. Prolonged periods of overcast weather can also exacerbate SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder is at epidemic levels and selective scientific research and analysis has linked the disorder with rationale for suicide rates peaking in the spring. This has subsequently lead to the selection of a site in Reykjavik Iceland, one of the most densely populated arctic landscapes in the northern hemisphere where daylight averages at six-seven hours per day, although January daylight hours are reduced to around two-four hours a day.

LIGHT THERAPY

A number of modern treatments exist for Seasonal Affective Disorder. These include light medication, psychotherapy, exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy and ionized-air reception.

Bright light therapy with a quality light box producing 10,000lux has been proven effective at combating symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) by a large number of research studies. Most light therapy devices implement true full spectrum light with 10,000lux, ranging from prices such as £10 up to £1000.

INSTALLATION

My research into the phenomena of how light is captured by lens based mnedia, lead to the construction of a contemporary lighting installation which takes the concept of lighting devise to a larger scale in a more controlled environment from which to begin experimentation and analysis, in view of developing an informed understanding of the phenomena.

A derelict, abandoned garage on the outskirts of Lincoln was adapted as a laboratory to begin to manufacture, control and manipulation of the phenomena. The entire process was completed over 14 day period and has been recorded and translated though still lens based images and new media video. The installation utilizes approximately 100 individual Light Emitting Diode's and comprises of separate chains of around 10 LED's which emanate from individual 9 volt power sources. The lights were held together in nexus and attached to the existing structure of empty disused shell.

This completed installation became a lab where the explorative and intuitive lighting experiments took place and the complexities of light are measured. The individual light sources directly manifest each image and the installation became a catalyst from which to manufacture the photographic images.

The Architects for Health
First Student Health Design Award
was sponsored by