Why White Looks Different Around the World: Environment, Culture, and Perception

Architectural and lighting design are global professions, yet the way people perceive and prefer light—especially the color of white—varies widely across cultures and environments. This episode explores the subtle but profound influences that geography, history, and cultural context have on how we experience color and illumination. From studies on cross-national color preferences in products, to research on home office lighting satisfaction across different countries, we uncover why “good lighting” is never one-size-fits-all. We also touch on the evolution of human skin tone as an example of how environmental and cultural adaptation shape our perception of light. Together, these insights remind us that designing with light requires more than technical precision—it demands cultural awareness and sensitivity to the diverse ways humans live with and interpret light.

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