
What if the light we use to nurture plants could also nurture us? In this episode, we speak with Julia Hartmann, an award-winning lighting designer and the creative force behind LightSphere in Zurich. With a deep passion for science, nature, and human wellbeing, Julia shares her groundbreaking journey into biophilic lighting—where cutting-edge spectrum tuning meets living ecosystems.
From stress-testing plants in dark rooms to co-developing a new LED chip tailored for both human and plant needs, Julia’s work redefines what lighting can do in interior environments. We dive into the art and science of lighting for living walls, explore the emotional and biological impact of light, and reflect on the importance of collaboration across design, biology, and architecture.
This episode is a tribute to curiosity, patience, and the quiet joy of watching a new leaf grow—not just in plants, but in our understanding of how to create truly living spaces.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:lightsphere Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightsphere.lighting/lightsphere LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightsphere/Julia Hartmann linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-hartmann-iald-cld-assoc-ies-6980a594/OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS: lightsphere Website https://lightsphere.ch/de/The Givadudan Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnjTaFOsVvA"LED Light Sources and Their Complex Set-Up for Visually and Biologically Effective Illumination for Ornamental Indoor Plants" MDPI Research Study: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/9/2642"How to illuminate indoor plants sustainably? Tips and tricks to bridge the gap between research and design" IOP Science Research Study: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/1320/1/012018