Until recently, scientists believed only 10-15% of our genes were influenced by circadian cycles, however recent studies now suggest such processes control all physiological behaviour, i.e. 98-99% of genetic function in mammals is determined by circadian rhythms. Timothy Bromage notes, ‘The same biological rhythm that controls incremental tooth and bone growth also affects bone and body size and many metabolic processes, including heart and respiration rates. In fact, the rhythm affects an organism’s overall pace of life, and its life span. So, a rat that grows teeth and bone in one-eighth the time of a human also lives faster and dies younger.’

Colin Fornier makes a strong case for developing a circadian model for architectural design yet concedes there are significant obstacles to overcome; ‘People working in the building sciences tend, by nature as well as by necessity, to proceed by trial and error within the messy conditions of the “real world”, dealing with many parameters simultaneously, while scientists seek to isolate variables in controlled environments.’ Beyond the benefits of simply encourging collaboration between the two cultures, adopting circadian units of measurement may further inspire architects to embed chronobiologcial principles throughout their work.