Light researcher Johanna Enger explores the spatial experience of light. This autumn, visitors to the Gothenburg Furniture Fair will have the chance to attend a seminar on a field of research still in its infancy – and how light affects our health and well-being.

Did you know that 80 percent of our sensory input comes through our eyes – and that light affects us biologically?

– Light is one of the most fundamental stimuli we are exposed to. Our hormone levels are regulated by light, in other words, according to the circadian rhythm, says Johanna Enger, lecturer and doctoral student at Konstfack.

– Light can be so many things. It is the very foundation of life, but also flashing strobe lights at raves. Light is technology, energy, health, color. I find it deeply fascinating.

She describes how her interest in light was truly sparked during her studies in industrial design. Johanna Enger went on to earn a master’s in lighting design.

– After that, I was just going to take a short course at Konstfack called “Light, color, and spatial experience.” That course is the foundation of everything I do now, you could say.

“I’m interested in the immeasurable”

Her research examines the spatial experience of light.

– I’m interested in the immeasurable. When we enter a room, we are affected, whether the space has been consciously designed or not.

But this is an unexplored field. Lighting research has historically been rooted in natural science. The tools and standards used in the construction industry are based on physical measurements – for example, that a work surface should have 500 lux.

The values are correlated with the eye’s light sensitivity, but not much beyond that, according to Johanna Enger.

– It doesn’t take the spatial experience into account at all. This is something I want to develop and succeed with.

Speaking about her research at the Gothenburg Furniture Fair

Johanna Enger is one of the speakers at the Gothenburg Furniture Fair in early September. There, she will talk about her research with a focus on how we experience light and space beyond technical measurements.

– I will also talk about how different light sources and fixtures affect the room’s atmosphere and the impact of light on health and well-being.

Knowledge about light among the general public and in parts of the interior and construction industries is low, according to Johanna Enger.

– Light can shape the entire environment. You can spend a lot of money on amazing interior design, but if the lighting is poor, you will still experience the environment as rather dull, she says, and continues:

– But with well-designed lighting, even a simple and minimalistic interior can feel inviting and cozy.

Contrast is key to a well-lit room

Johanna Enger talks about visual balance and contrast – a room shouldn’t be evenly lit.

– You have to strive for some kind of visual balance. That includes contrasts that clarify the structure of the room.

She explains that our eyes are designed to react to changes. It is contrast – not even, static light – that activates the light-sensitive cells in the eye.

– Our senses thrive on stimulation, on being put to work. For example: it’s a good idea to illuminate a bookshelf so that it stands out from the background, from the wall.

New technology that automatically adjusts the light

An exciting trend Johanna Enger mentions is refined light control. This can include light sources with sensors that detect, for instance, if green clothes are hanging on a rack.

– Then the light source automatically adjusts the tone of the light so that the green color pops out, if desired.

At the Gothenburg Furniture Fair, she looks forward to meeting seminar attendees and sharing new insights.

– I hope I can raise the level of knowledge and curiosity about the topic. My hope is that afterward, they’ll want to dig deeper into what they can do themselves.

Listen to Johanna Enger at the Gothenburg Furniture Fair

On Wednesday, September 3 at 11:30, Johanna Enger will talk about how light is not just measured – but felt – and why it is crucial for comfort and well-being, at the Gothenburg Furniture Fair. The seminar will be held in Swedish.

About the Gothenburg Furniture Fair

The Gothenburg Furniture Fair is the Nordic region’s leading meeting place for the purchase of furniture, interior design, and lighting for home environments. It brings together buyers, store owners, and suppliers – for business, inspiration, and stronger relationships. September 1–3, 2025 at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre in Gothenburg. Register for your free admission ticket »

Please note that the Gothenburg Furniture Fair is a trade show and only open to professionals within the furniture industry.