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Collection of design interventions for living with the natural nocturnal rhythm

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INTRODUCTION

This booklet contains a large number of design interventions you can use to make the night darker and to connect you more with the night. They can help you feel safe in a place, they can help you with your orientation, but they can also help you to slow down, help you to let you feel impressed, and teach you something about wonders of the night. All to help you connect more with the natural rhythms of day and night.

The design interventions are divided into five themes, although some interventions overlap, as indicated. Furthermore, the various themes are displayed in a pyramid. This is for a reason. Some interventions and goals only become meaningful and can only be achieved if something else has been implemented or changed. They therefore complement each other, although this division is not set in stone.

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THEMES OF THE DESIGN INTERVENTIONS ANDHOW TO APPLY THEM ON SITE.

existing elements on the site

implement design interventions

Which elements are already there that have potention, which ones are the absolute oposite

which design tools are needed to change the place, so it will reach the desired effect

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effect which effect is reached

Feel safe First, you have to feel safe.

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LIGHT QUALITIES Light shines low, the light sources are small, the light color is warm.

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Period Orientation Height Colour Inensity Bright light expands your world on a small scale, but shrinks it on a large scale. You are unintentionally put in the spotlight without being able to see your surroundings. This creates a sense of insecurity. Minimizing light sources eliminates this contrast. If light is used, use light that is directed downward, low to the ground, has a warm yellow/orange color, and a light intensity of no more than 0.3 lux, which is comparable to the brightness of a full moon.

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LIGHT DISTRIBUTION In nature, light is (almost) never perpendicular

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

In a natural situation, sunlight almost never strikes the Earth perpendicularly. Only at midday does the sun appear directly in the sky for a moment.

The rest of the day, the sun always shines at an angle. The areas that are not illuminated can be filled in by the user. By illuminating areas non-perpendicularly and non-continuously, you mimic this natural way of lighting.

Moreover, you can draw attention to something by illuminating a specific element, not everything. This arouses curiosity and stimulates a nocturnal adventure, while also providing a sense of security. Small points of light distributed throughout an area reduce corridor effects and glare.

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PATH HIERARCHY A choice to what extent one wants to wander

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

A clear hierarchy in the path structure ensures that users cannot easily get lost. A tangle of paths without clear distinctions can cause one to get tangled up in the network and lose its way. When there are clear distinctions, the user can choose which route to take and thus determine how much one wants to get lost in the dark. For example, a clear main route always leads to a larger street, while a smaller, less clear route encourages wandering and exploration. A clear division of a path network can also alleviate anxiety and make the user more confident.

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SOCIAL CLOSENESS Seeing or sensing other people nearby increases perceived safety

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

The presence of other people or nearby activity contributes to a feeling of safety through social control. Seeing others, or sensing that others are nearby, reduces feelings of isolation and vulnerability. Spatial arrangements that allow visual or auditory contact between users help create an environment where people feel supported rather than alone, particularly during evening and night-time use.

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BACKED SEATING Lets users explore space from a safe, protected spot

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Seating with a solid backing provides psychological support. When users can sit with their back protected, they feel more in control of their surroundings and less exposed. This allows them to relax, observe and stay longer in a space without feeling the need to constantly check what is happening behind them.

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VIEW OVER VEGETATION Open sightlines over vegetation maintain overview and social safety

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Keeping sightlines over vegetation open helps maintain visual connections across a space. Low or transparent planting ensures that other users, paths and activities remain visible, which supports orientation and social safety.

Dense planting at eye level can block views and increase feelings of insecurity.

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VIEW UNDER TREES Creates your own perspective, but let you keep overview

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Maintaining visibility under tree canopies prevents the creation of dark, enclosed zones. When the space beneath trees remains open and readable, it supports a sense of openness and control. This helps users feel comfortable moving through green areas at night without fear of hidden corners or unexpected encounters.

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NO DEAD ENDS Routes without dead ends reduce feelings of entrapment

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Dead ends can create a feeling of entrapment, particularly in unfamiliar or dark environments. By avoiding dead-end paths, users always retain the option to continue moving or change direction. This sense of escape possibility contributes to psychological comfort and reduces stress.

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NO CORRIDORS Avoiding narrow corridors increases spatial freedom and comfort

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Long, narrow corridors can amplify feelings of vulnerability and exposure.

They limit movement options and reduce visual escape routes. Designing wider, more open connections instead of corridor-like spaces enhances spatial freedom and makes users feel less constrained. Moreover, corridor-like landscapes can cause you to lose sight of your surroundings, making you feel unsafe and unsure of where you are. Corridor-like landscapes can be counteracted by creating openings or open spaces in densely vegetated or densely built-up areas.

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TRANSPARANT ENTRANCE A reduction of uncertainty and a lower threshold to enter

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

A transparent entrance clearly reveals what lies beyond a threshold. Being able to see into a space before entering reduces uncertainty and hesitation.

Transparency builds trust and lowers the mental barrier to entering darker or unfamiliar environments.

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Find the way Good routing helps you feel safe and helps you getting used to the dark.

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LIGHT QUALITIES Light shines low, the light sources are small, the light color is warm.

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Period Orientation Height Colour Inensity Bright light expands your world on a small scale, but shrinks it on a large scale. You are unintentionally put in the spotlight without being able to see your surroundings. This creates a sense of being lost. Minimizing light sources eliminates this contrast. If light is used, use light that is directed downward, low to the ground, has a warm yellow/orange color, and a light intensity of no more than 0.3 lux, which is comparable to the brightness of a full moon.

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LIGHT DISTRIBUTION In nature, light is (almost) never perpendicular

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

In a natural situation, sunlight almost never strikes the Earth perpendicularly. Only at midday does the sun appear directly in the sky for a moment.

The rest of the day, the sun always shines at an angle. The areas that are not illuminated can be filled in by the user. By illuminating areas non-perpendicularly and non-continuously, you mimic this natural way of lighting.

Moreover, you can draw attention to something by illuminating a specific element, not everything. This arouses curiosity and stimulates a nocturnal adventure, while also providing a sense of security. Small points of light distributed throughout an area reduce corridor effects and glare.

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PATH HIERARCHY A choice to what extent one wants to wander

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

A clear hierarchy in the path structure ensures that users cannot easily get lost. A tangle of paths without clear distinctions can cause one to get tangled up in the network and lose its way. When there are clear distinctions, the user can choose which route to take and thus determine how much one wants to get lost in the dark. For example, a clear main route always leads to a larger street, while a smaller, less clear route encourages wandering and exploration. A clear division of a path network can also alleviate anxiety and make the user more confident.

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ACOUSTIC ELEMENTS Sound can support orientation when visibility is limited

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Sound can act as an invisible guide. Elements such as flowing water, voices or footsteps can indicate direction, proximity or activity. In low-visibility conditions, acoustic cues become especially valuable for orientation. For example, if you’re walking on a gravel path, you can follow the route by ear, compensating for the lack of sight. Moreover, certain sounds can serve as cues; you know you’re near the water, or near the rustling poplars. This makes it easier to know where you are in the landscape.

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CONTRAST IN SHAPES AND COLOUR Distinct shapes and colours help users recognise and remember places

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Distinct spatial forms help users recognize and remember places. When paths, edges or spaces differ clearly in shape, users are better able to orient themselves and recall their route. In addition, a variation in shapes ensures that clear recognition points are created. Colors fade at night, Clear color contrast ensures that you can distinguish things from each other even at night.

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LANDMARKS Reference points for navigation and orientation

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Distinct spatial forms help users recognize and remember places. When paths, edges or spaces differ clearly in shape, users are better able to orient themselves and recall their route. In addition, a variation in shapes ensures that clear recognition points are created.

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Slow down Spend time experiencing and exploring

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SOFT GROUNDS Soft surfaces encourage slower movement and bodily awareness

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Soft surfaces such as grass, gravel or wood invite slower movement. They require more bodily awareness than hard pavement and encourage users to adjust their pace, becoming more attentive to their surroundings. In addition, an unpaved surface also requires a certain amount of deceleration.

It takes a little more effort and energy to walk than on a smooth, paved surface. Finally, a soft surface encourages slowing down because the user can feel invited to explore the surface tactilely.

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WINDING PATHS They reduce speed and invite you to explore and slow down

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Curved and winding paths limit long sightlines and remove the visual pressure of a clear destination. This naturally slows movement and transforms walking into an exploratory experience rather than a means of getting somewhere quickly. At every bend, a new landscape, view, or landmark awaits, giving you endless new discoveries. The goal isn’t to get from A to B as efficiently as possible, but to relax, explore, and reflect along the way.

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NOOKS Small sheltered spaces invite stopping and lingering

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Small, sheltered spaces offer moments of pause. They invite users to stop, sit or linger, shifting the focus from movement to presence and observation.

It gives you the opportunity to retreat for a moment, shielding yourself from your surroundings. It also gives you the space to take the time to look at something carefully and see things you might normally overlook.

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PRESENCE OF WATER Water introduces calming sensory cues that slow down experience

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Water introduces sound, movement and reflection into a space. Its rhythmic qualities have a calming effect and encourage users to slow down and engage more deeply with the environment. As soon as people see, hear or feel water, our bodies relax and our minds calm down.

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SHIFTING PRIVACY Slowly get used to the night, in your own pace, step by step

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Gradual transitions between open and more intimate spaces create a rhythm of collectiveness and retreat. This spatial arrangement allows users to acclimate to the night at their own pace; initially more collectively in a larger group, to slowly get used to the darkness and wonders of the night and then, as they feel more confident and relaxed about exploring the night, alone. This allows them to gradually unwind and slow down during the night.

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SOFT VEGETATION Soft, moving vegetation reduces intensity and supports relaxation

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Vegetation that moves with the wind or feels soft to the touch adds a sensory layer that contrasts with rigid urban elements. This softness lowers perceived intensity and supports relaxation. It creates a pleasant living atmosphere and prevents the user from wanting to leave quickly due to, for example, prickly, hard vegetation or other hard elements.

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HEIGHT DIFFERENCE Variation in elevation changes the perspective on spaces

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Changes in elevation require attention and care when moving through a space. Even subtle height differences slow down movement and heighten bodily awareness. You also become aware that you’re entering a new space. You have to rediscover and sense how the space works, what its function is, and what rules apply in this new place. This causes you to slow down.

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NATURE ELEMENTS Natural elements counteract speed oriented urban logic

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Contact with nature reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol, calms the brain, and promotes relaxation. At the same time, nature stimulates the happiness hormone. Furthermore, you can process natural stimuli like greenery, water, and natural patterns much better than artificial ones, which automatically leads to a more relaxed state. Besides this, natural materials and elements engage multiple senses and break with the efficiency-driven logic of urban infrastructure. They encourage users to dwell rather than rush.

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GRADUAL TRANSITION OF LIGHTS Slow light transitions allow adaptation and reduce high contrasts

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Slow changes in lighting allow the eyes to adapt and reduce abrupt sensory shifts. This supports a calmer, more continuous experience of space. It prevents stark contrasts, allowing you to gradually acclimate to the dark.

You’ll gradually be able to see more and more in the dark and take more and more time to explore it.

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DOWNGRADING STREETS Reducing traffic dominance lowers speed and slow movement

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Reducing the dominance of traffic infrastructure lowers speed and noise, creating an environment where pedestrians feel prioritized and can move more slowly and comfortably. It also clears blockages, making it easier to reach a relaxing spot, such as a park or a waterfront. It makes it easier to unwind and slow down.

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DELAYED PERCEPTION A slow reveal encourages exploration and slowing down

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Spaces that reveal themselves gradually prevent instant comprehension.

This delay encourages curiosity and slows down the experience as users discover the space step by step. It literally takes time to experience the place in all its glory. You’re almost forced to pause, otherwise you won’t be able to discover the space and the hidden wonders in it. Some examples are the bats who reveal themselves during twilight, the slowly changing colors of the sky at the end and beginning of the day and the opening of the flower of the primrose in the evening.

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Feel impressed Sense the night’s unity, fragility and beauty

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REFLECTION The creation of layered perception and visual depth

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Reflective surfaces multiply perspectives and deepen spatial experience.

They allow users to see familiar elements in unexpected ways, evoking wonder and contemplation. You can suddenly see familiar objects differently and be completely captivated. Furthermore, certain subjects can stand out and assume their specialness, which we allow to emerge. Finally, body reflection can also trigger mental reflection.

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TEMPORALITY Temporal change and visibility increases awareness of moment and time

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Design elements that change over time, through light, weather or seasons, make the user aware of the passing of time and their own presence within it. It’s also possible that a phenomenon is only visible for a short time.

For example, you have to wait a while before you can see it. By exploiting this temporary quality and emphasizing it in the space, you can be deeply impressed.

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USE OF NATURAL LIGHT The play of light and shadow turns the everyday into something special

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Natural light creates subtle variations that artificial lighting cannot replicate. Its changing qualities enhance atmosphere and emotional impact, especially in contrast with darkness. In addition, it can create beautiful shadows; it can illuminate objects and shapes, and it can produce beautiful colors. It’s easy to be impressed by this.

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CONTRAST IN SHAPES AND COLOUR Material and colour contrasts heighten sensory awareness

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Clear spatial shapes help users recognize and remember places, but they also ensure they stand out from their surroundings. When paths, edges, or spaces clearly differ in shape, users can suddenly be confronted with the beauty and uniqueness of an object or landscape. Colors fade at night. A bright color contrast ensures that things can be distinguished from each other even at night and that they even pop out at night.

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HEIGHT DIFFERENCE Variation in elevation changes the perspective on spaces

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Changes in elevation require attention and care when moving through a space. Even subtle height differences slow down movement and heighten bodily awareness. You also become aware that you’re entering a new space. You have to rediscover and sense how the space works, what its function is, and what rules apply in this new place. This causes you to slow down and can make you feel impressed.

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CREATING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE New perspectives will transform the night in an artwork

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Unexpected viewpoints challenge habitual ways of seeing and encourage users to reconsider their relationship with the environment. Furthermore, a formed frame can cause you to focus your attention on something you normally wouldn’t. You suddenly see the beauty of something you previously took for granted. Moreover, a frame can cause the calculated structure and complexity of nature to suddenly become visible. Sometimes everything in the sky seems to appear randomly, but in reality, everything is interconnected, and you can precisely determine where and when something is visible or tangible. This can lead to a profound sense of awe.

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ACTIVATE OTHER SENSES THAN SIGHT Engaging multiple senses deepens and intensifies experience

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Engaging sound, smell, touch or temperature deepens spatial experience and reduces visual dominance, making the impression more embodied and lasting. By appealing to senses other than sight, you create a completely different experience for the user than if the focus were solely on sight. This allows a seemingly ordinary space to become truly special and impressive.

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Learn something Creating awareness and spreading the word

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CREATING A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE New perspectives encourage reflection and understanding

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Unexpected viewpoints challenge habitual ways of seeing and encourage users to reconsider their relationship with the environment. Furthermore, a formed frame can cause you to focus your attention on something you normally wouldn’t. You suddenly see the rhythm of something you previously never noticed. Moreover, a frame can cause the calculated structure and complexity of nature to suddenly become visible. Sometimes everything in the sky seems to appear randomly, but in reality, everything is interconnected, and you can precisely determine where and when something is visible or tangible. This can lead you to learn from your environment.

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EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES Connections to education anchor learning about the beauty of the night

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Connections to educational institutions can anchor knowledge within the landscape and link abstract learning to physical experience. In addition, classes at educational institutions broaden knowledge about the night, leading to greater understanding and knowledge. People will develop awareness of the importance of the night, which will only strengthen the fight for a dark night. You can’t commit yourself to something you don’t see or understand, but you can commit yourself to something you’ve learned about and know is crucial.

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LOCAL VEGETATION Local vegetation stimulates ecological and regional knowledge

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Using local plant species tells the ecological story of a place. It helps users understand seasonal cycles, biodiversity and regional identity. This allows you to recognize seasons, as well as species specific to a specific area.

You’ll learn which animals use which plants, which plants bloom when, and when they die.

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PUBLIC PROGRAMS & EVENTS Events and activities create awareness about the beauty of the night

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

learn

Activities and events transform spaces into living classrooms, where learning happens through participation and encounter. Discovering the night becomes very accessible. You’ll be guided through the night, and step by step, you’ll learn more about its beauty and importance. In addition, phenomena at night can serve as outings that people really look forward to experiencing.This also raises awareness of the importance of a dark night.

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REFLECTIVE TOOLS Assignments and questions stimulate deep reflection

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

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Elements like texts, questionnaires, and assignments invite users to think, reflect, and interpret, rather than passively consuming information. They encourage you to actively consider the night, what it means to you, and how you can contribute to a darker night. Furthermore, reflection assignments create peace and space in your mind. Reflection tools include assignments, journals, and diaries.

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TOURS & ROUTES Curated routes structure learning as a spatial journey

feel safe

orientate

slow down feel impressed

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Curated routes guide users through themes or narratives, structuring learning as a spatial journey rather than a static lesson. Discovering the night becomes very accessible. You’ll be guided through the night, and step by step, you’ll learn more about its beauty and importance.

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SOURCES Edensor, T. (2017). From light to dark: Daylight, illumination, and gloom.

University of Minnesota Press.

Gehl, J. (2011). Life between buildings: Using public space (6th ed.). Island Press.

International Dark-Sky Association. (2020). Practical guide to responsible outdoor lighting. https://www.darksky.org Jacobs, J. (1961). The death and life of great American cities. Random House.

Lynch, K. (1960). The image of the city. MIT Press.

Pallasmaa, J. (2012). The eyes of the skin: Architecture and the senses (3rd ed.). Wiley.

Rosa, H. (2013). Social acceleration: A new theory of modernity. Columbia University Press.

Spirn, A. W. (1998). The language of landscape. Yale University Press.

Tuan, Y.-F. (1977). Space and place: The perspective of experience. University of Minnesota Press.

Zumthor, P. (2006). Atmospheres: Architectural environments – surrounding objects. Birkhäuser.

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