Lighting Scenarios and Human Well-Being in Extreme Environments: Insights from St. Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base

Sensponsive design framework is an architectural and technological approach that integrates real-time sensing, artificial cognition, sensibility and response through adaptive spatial and ambience configurations to create environments that respond dynamically to human activity, specifically tailored according to the context of the activity. The term derives from the notion of “sensible responses” meaning that the provision of any response should take into consideration a multitude of factors that give “meaning” to the human actions and provide beneficial conditions to facilitate the performance of these actions in the appropriate context. The framework also emphasizes seamless and “transparent” interaction between users and spaces via embedded systems and smart materials. Rooted in ambient intelligence and ubiquitous computing, sensponsive design adjusts spatial and ambient conditions based on behavioral and contextual data. It is guided by three core principles: time (prompt responsiveness), understanding (contextual and behavioral awareness), and intention (purposeful, user-centered adaptation) – together enabling intelligent, comfort-driven environments [17, 18, 19]. The advancement of AI provided the tools to pursue further research and development of the Sensponsive framework, allowing proof-of-concept projects to move forward.

The evolution of lighting in confined and isolated environments has progressed in response to a deepening understanding of human needs in extreme conditions. Early stages relied on simple, functional solutions such as static fluorescent lighting, primarily aimed at providing visibility and supporting basic operational tasks.

Currently, lighting systems have advanced to simulate circadian rhythms, recognizing the critical role of light in regulating biological cycles, sleep patterns, and general well-being in environments where natural light is absent or inconsistent [6, 5, 12]. Alongside this, there is a growing focus on using light to foster relaxation, recreation, and social interaction, incorporating dynamic color temperatures, ambient lighting tones, and mood-enhancing schemes to improve the overall quality of life in such settings [9, 5].

Looking ahead, the next frontier in lighting design is the development of personalized and intelligent lighting systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the sensponsive lighting systems, as well as systems that provide the illusion of deeper fields of view, mitigating the issues resulting from confined lines of sight and restricted fields of view. These systems aim to be both activity-based and context-sensitive, adapting in real time not only to the nature of the activity being performed but also to the individual characteristics and preferences of each user [17, 18, 19].

The goal is to create a lighting environment that understands and responds to both functional demands [25] and emotional states, offering differentiated lighting experiences even among users engaged in the same task. That marks a transition toward truly adaptive, human-centered lighting ecosystems, where AI enables deeper personalization and enhances well-being through responsive environmental design.

In extreme environments like space stations and Antarctic bases, lighting plays a critical role in mitigating the effects of isolation, light deprivation, and psychological strain [5]. Traditional static systems often overlook evolving human needs and environmental shifts [19]. Sensponsive lighting addresses that by using predictive cognitive-based intelligence and real-time situation awareness to adapt light conditions based on both contextual activity and individual user preferences [17]. These systems analyze user behavior, movement patterns, and the time of day to anticipate needs [18] – whether for work, rest, or focus – and adjust brightness, color temperature, and intensity accordingly. Over time, they learn from user interactions to fine-tune lighting to personal comfort levels. This personalized, context-aware approach enhances well-being, resilience, and performance in confined, high-stress settings.

St. Kliment Ohridski Base is a Bulgarian Antarctic research station located on Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, off the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The station is situated on slightly elevated, ice-free terrain near the coast of South Bay, adjacent to the Grand Lagoon – a freshwater body covering approximately 10,000 square meters and situated at an elevation of 2.4 meters above sea level.

Unlike single-structure research stations such as Concordia, St. Kliment Ohridski Base comprises a network of buildings, each serving distinct functions. Constructed at different periods, these structures collectively form the base’s infrastructure, facilitating transitional spaces and movement pathways between them. Currently, the base consists of 11 separate building premises, each fulfilling specific operational, residential, or research-related roles (Figure 3).

The demographics of the participants (i.e., age, gender, occupational role or position at the base, duration of stay, and prior experience in confined environments) played a significant role in the results of the research.

Participants generally valued the role of lighting in their daily routines (Figure 16(a)). Most expressed a strong preference for warm, dim lighting with moderate brightness, likely due to its calming and comforting effects (Figures 16(b) and 16(c)). Customizable lighting solutions were highly appreciated, as many users expressed a clear desire to adjust settings according to personal preferences (Figure 16(d)). Greater control over brightness and color temperature enhanced comfort and well-being, reinforcing the importance of adaptable, user-centered lighting in confined environments [14].

The current lighting conditions were generally functional but lacked adaptability and personalization. Repeated expeditions appeared to foster emotional investment, leading experienced participants to offer sharper critiques. People with multiple expeditions reported higher satisfaction but emphasized the need for AI-driven adaptability, while those with fewer than four missions showed more varied responses (Figure 17). This variability underscores the importance of personalized lighting solutions, where one-size-fits-all approaches fail to address individual preferences and requirements. Overall, the findings highlight the need for more dynamic, user-responsive lighting systems to enhance both performance and well-being in isolated environments.

Engagement with colorful lighting received mixed responses (Figure 18(a)). While some participants found it helpful in breaking monotony, others did not find it engaging. People who valued colorful lighting tended to be more sensitive to isolation and relied on dynamic environments to support their well-being. In contrast, participants with technical or leadership roles, who prioritized functionality and stability, were less affected by environmental monotony and valued control over change.

Overall, colorful lighting proved most effective in social settings or unexpected situations, but its mood-boosting effects were inconsistent, highlighting the need for adaptable, user-specific lighting strategies (Figure 18(b)). Participants strongly valued the ability to personalize their lighting environment, with many explicitly requesting customizable features to suit their individual needs (Figure 18(c)). Notably, the ability to customize lighting played a key role in reducing feelings of isolation, particularly among participants who spent extended periods indoors, reinforcing the importance of adaptable, user-centered lighting in confined environments (Figure 18(d)).

Before the implementation of the experimental lighting setup, the use of colorful lighting at the St. Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base was limited but intentional, primarily associated with social events and festive occasions. These lighting choices were not part of a formal design strategy but emerged organically as responses to the need for psychological relief and atmospheric variation in an otherwise functionally lit environment.

One notable example was the use of a portable RGB “disco” lamp during special social events [3], first observed by the researcher on New Year’s Eve (Figure 14). This lamp was set up in the storage room of the machinery and storage hut – an open, empty space that posed minimal risk of interfering with scientific equipment or disturbing those resting in nearby quarters. Its temporary installation in this isolated location highlights the importance of minimizing disruptions while still providing opportunities for social engagement and mood enhancement through dynamic lighting.

Interestingly, the storage room is also the only space within the base that includes permanently installed colorful lighting. Five LED lamps are fixed along the walls – two blue, one red, one white, and one green – creating a vivid and playful lighting environment. Though the space serves a utilitarian function, its lighting makes it the most visually dynamic and playful area of the base, offering a stark contrast to the otherwise neutral and task-oriented lighting found throughout the station. This ambient shift further reinforces the room’s role as a preferred location for social events and recreational gatherings.

Another instance of colorful lighting was the use of string lights in the dining room (Figure 8a). Although initially installed as a seasonal decoration before the Christmas period, these lights remained in place well after the holidays due to their calming and atmospheric qualities. The string lights were eventually taken down on 18th January 2025. As the dining area is a central social space within the base, the continued presence of the soft, colorful lighting contributed to a more relaxed and inviting environment during communal meals and informal gatherings. Figure 7 provides a view of the dining room during evening hours, with the Christmas lights softly illuminating the space, adding warmth and informality to one of the base’s most frequently used communal areas.

These informal and user-driven lighting decisions reflect an intuitive understanding of the psychological impact of lighting in extreme and confined environments [5]. They also suggest a hypothesis: even in the absence of formal design interventions, base personnel instinctively gravitate toward lighting choices that provide emotional comfort, visual variety, and a sense of normalcy – elements later explored more systematically through the experimental phase of this study.

Following the departure of the researcher from the St. Kliment Ohridski Antarctic Base, follow-up documentation and photographic material provided by the base personnel revealed a notable continuation – and intensification – of the use of colorful lighting in daily life. The two portable lighting devices previously used in the experimental phase – the RGB Sunset LED lamp (left at the base by the researcher) and the RGB “disco” lamp (already available on-site) – were both regularly utilized after the conclusion of the formal study.

A key shift in lighting use occurred in the Blue Container, which, over time, was transformed by the inhabitants into an informal social space. Both portable lamps were used frequently in this area to create an atmosphere conducive to social interaction and relaxation (Figure 12b). Unlike the sporadic or event-based use of colorful lighting prior to the intervention, its use in the Blue Container became regular and intentional, serving as a tool for enhancing the emotional quality of routine communal gatherings.

Another notable development took place in the New Laboratory Building, which became fully operational following the completion of interior works. Occasionally, the space hosted small group gatherings aimed at entertainment and stress relief. These gatherings often included the use of entertainment equipment such as a ping-pong table and a foosball table. While the colorful lighting was not initially used during the gaming sessions themselves, it was frequently activated as participants remained in the space into the evening hours (Figure 15). Thus, the RGB lamps once again accompanied social and leisure activities, reinforcing their emerging association with emotional decompression and collective well-being.

Notably, the personnel actively chose to move the portable lamps between different buildings to support these gatherings. This behavior indicates a clear demand for flexible, transportable lighting elements capable of adapting to changing spatial and social contexts. It also suggests that the value of colorful lighting extended beyond festive decoration into a consistent strategy for improving group morale [10] and ambient comfort.

Overall, this post-intervention use reflects a shift in lighting culture within the base: colorful lighting was no longer reserved for rare, celebratory moments but became a recurring feature of everyday socialization [10, 3]. This evolution supports the hypothesis that once introduced, non-traditional lighting solutions can organically become embedded in communal life, meeting psychological and emotional needs in confined, isolated environments [10].

Findings from the Antarctic base study highlight the critical importance of customization in lighting design, particularly in extreme, confined environments. Participants consistently valued the ability to adjust brightness and color settings, emphasizing how such control enhanced emotional comfort and personal well-being. To address these challenges and support both well-being and operational efficiency, we propose a multi-layered, human-centered lighting strategy for use in environments like Antarctic stations and space analogues. Lighting systems should integrate functional, circadian, and mood-enhancing components [13] to meet varying emotional and cognitive needs throughout the day [5, 2]. Research confirms that nuanced combinations of illuminance and color temperature – especially when adapted to user preference – play a crucial role in emotional regulation and stress reduction [13]. In task-oriented areas, lighting must prioritize individual control, glare reduction, and directional adjustability, promoting visual comfort and minimizing stress during focused activities. Additionally, many participants called for better simulation of natural light cycles and more responsive lighting schemes, reflecting an awareness of circadian rhythms’ long-term impact on health. Addressing these needs requires lighting systems that go beyond simple presets.

The feedback on colourful lighting revealed a clear divergence in user preferences – some participants found it engaging and emotionally supportive, while others expressed a preference for more natural or neutral lighting conditions. Colorful lighting is beneficial for some; while not universally preferred, those who enjoy it also emphasize the importance of being able to customize their environment. For these users, the option to adjust lighting according to personal mood or activity contributed significantly to emotional comfort and a sense of control [25] within an otherwise rigid setting [5]. This finding reinforces the necessity for sensponsive lighting systems, which accommodate subjectivity by enabling real-time customization based on user behavior, preferences, and context [17]. By recognizing and adapting to individual differences, sensponsive design provides a resilient framework for improving well-being through personalized lighting strategies in challenging environments where sensory input is limited and highly impactful [18].

The Dining Hall emerged as a central node for communal well-being. Its combination of generous daylight, warm materials, and layered artificial lighting – including decorative string lights – created the only space perceived as “home-like” and emotionally comfortable. The presence of lighting scenarios (e.g., cozy evening ambiance) was subtle but powerful, reinforcing that social spaces benefit most from “home-like” [7, 16], atmospheric lighting that creates different emotional experiences [26] rather than purely functional setups. This distinction also points to a broader design need: social and workspaces should have different lighting atmospheres to support both focused tasks and mood enhancement. Task-oriented areas require clarity and concentration, while social spaces thrive with lighting that fosters warmth, relaxation, and informal interaction. This highlights the importance of designing common areas that prioritize emotional comfort, with lighting that supports the informal, restorative, and social functions of these spaces [3] – crucial in both Antarctic and space environments.

The novelty of this study lies in its focus on user-driven adaptations and emotional responses to ambient lighting in a polar base, drawing parallels with future space habitat design. Our findings support the hypothesis that lighting plays a subconscious yet powerful role in emotional regulation, spatial identity, and social behaviour in isolated settings. This opens a valuable research direction: the integration of AI-powered sensponsive lighting systems in space analogues – systems that learn from behavioural patterns and adapt in real-time to emotional and contextual cues. These would go beyond circadian support to enable true personalization and dynamic atmosphere modulation, even in standardized environments.