The Impact of Evaluated Luminous Environment on the Comfort Level in Buildings

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 4697

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Ningbo, China
Interests: adaptive building façade; smart windows; daylighting environment; visual comfort; human health; evidence-based lighting design; building simulation

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Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, Surveying and Construction Management, Kingston University, London, UK
Interests: sustainable building technologies; building performance; building modelling; daylight and lighting; adaptive building façade; building integrated renewable energy

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Guest Editor
Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Transportation Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
Interests: built environment; environmental behavior; sustainability; sports park; social communal space; human factor engineering; construction management

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Guest Editor
Center for Sustainable Energy Technologies, Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
Interests: low-carbon building and eco-city; AI and big-data assisted energy forecasting and optimization; renewable energy application and management in building

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, as individuals spend increasing amounts of time indoors, there has been growing attention towards enhancing the quality of the indoor environment. Among the crucial factors under examination is the luminous environment, produced by a combination of daylight and artificial lighting, which plays a pivotal role in the built environment. The luminous environment is not merely a facilitator of daily activities and work but is also intimately connected to human health. It impacts comfort at physical, physiological, and psychological levels.

Furthermore, strategic approaches for allowing daylight into buildings, such as the implementation of advanced windows, adaptive façades, and intelligent shading devices, have demonstrated benefits for energy performance. This Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of the multifaceted interactions between occupants and their luminous environment, with a particular focus on maximizing the use of daylight. To this end, it seeks to provide a platform for the gathering and exchange of cutting-edge ideas and research in the intersecting fields of health and lighting. Topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Impact of advanced windows on daylighting;
  • Experimental methods to evaluate human perception on luminous environment;
  • Building simulation of luminous environment;
  • Performance of adaptive façade/intelligent shading;
  • Interactions between daylight and artificial lighting;
  • Outdoor luminosity's impact on indoor lighting and comfort;
  • Daylight harvesting and indoor environment quality;
  • Glare and visual comfort study with exterior lighting considerations;
  • Combining natural and artificial lighting for efficiency and comfort.

Dr. Runqi Liang
Dr. Yanyi Sun
Dr. Xianfeng Wu
Dr. Zishang Zhu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • daylighting control
  • artificial lighting design
  • advanced windows
  • intelligent shading
  • transparent materials
  • visual comfort
  • human health
  • built environment
  • building simulation

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1786 KiB  
Article
Photopic and Melanopic Analysis of Daylight Through Glazing in Indoor Environments
by Ana Sanchez-Cano, Elvira Orduna-Hospital and Justiniano Aporta
Buildings 2024, 14(10), 3291; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14103291 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 486
Abstract
Daylight influences more than just our vision; elements such as its intensity and spectral composition can significantly impact our circadian rhythms and, consequently, our overall well-being. In this study, we present an analysis of a classroom simulated in Dialux, involving a comprehensive examination [...] Read more.
Daylight influences more than just our vision; elements such as its intensity and spectral composition can significantly impact our circadian rhythms and, consequently, our overall well-being. In this study, we present an analysis of a classroom simulated in Dialux, involving a comprehensive examination of natural daylight through a specific type of glazing, assessing their photopic characteristics and their influence on the human circadian system in individuals aged 32 and 70 years. Our findings highlight that spectral data from daylight (D75, D65, and D50) and glazing transmittance can be easily used to evaluate the melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (mel-EDI) in addition to standard photopic illuminance, applying a f(MP)Glazing factor calculated from the spectral characteristics of both daylight and glazing transmittance. Our results provide new insights for users to more effectively assess daylighting quality and its implications within indoor environments. Full article
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28 pages, 31963 KiB  
Article
The Synergy of Architectural Lighting with Sustainable City Development—A Case Study
by Rafał Krupiński
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2371; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082371 - 1 Aug 2024
Viewed by 725
Abstract
Designing the floodlighting of objects in the context of improving the night image of the city is a very complex task, requiring not only a time commitment but also precise analysis and innovative solutions. In particular, designers must consider the principles of aesthetics [...] Read more.
Designing the floodlighting of objects in the context of improving the night image of the city is a very complex task, requiring not only a time commitment but also precise analysis and innovative solutions. In particular, designers must consider the principles of aesthetics and adapt the lighting to the architectural style and details of the facilities while ensuring energy efficiency and minimising the impact on the natural environment. For single objects, the task is relatively simple. The problem arises when the task is to develop a lighting concept for a large ensemble. Computer applications strictly dedicated to lighting analysis cannot capture a 3D model rich in architectural detail. The article presents a case study that focuses on a comprehensive approach to designing the floodlighting of a complex of architectural objects. The steps for designing the floodlighting of objects are presented. Based on a computer simulation, a visual lighting concept and a detailed analysis of the luminance distribution and floodlighting efficiency were presented. The obtained average luminance levels are consistent with recommendations and standards, and the project is characterised by a high lighting efficiency of 56%. This approach enables an understanding of how light affects architectural structures and the surroundings, which is crucial to achieving harmony between the technical side of the project and its aesthetics. The project presented in the article is an inspiring example of how a comprehensive approach to illumination can contribute to creating an attractive night landscape of the city, taking into account the aspects of sustainable development. This is very important nowadays, when the floodlighting of architectural objects is often considered an element of the landscape that can be omitted. Full article
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19 pages, 4004 KiB  
Article
Psychological Effects of a Living Wall System on Office Occupants: A Comparative Study Based on Physiological Responses
by Yiming Shao, Zhenghuan Zhou, Ding Ding, Yuanlong Cui and Xianfeng Wu
Buildings 2024, 14(7), 1981; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14071981 - 1 Jul 2024
Viewed by 801
Abstract
A Living wall system (LWS) is a biophilic design element that has been introduced into indoor environments in recent years. Previous studies have demonstrated that the LWS improves indoor visual comfort and air quality. However, studies on its psychological effects on occupants are [...] Read more.
A Living wall system (LWS) is a biophilic design element that has been introduced into indoor environments in recent years. Previous studies have demonstrated that the LWS improves indoor visual comfort and air quality. However, studies on its psychological effects on occupants are still scarce. In this paper, the psychological effects were investigated by recording and analyzing the parameters of occupants’ physiological responses including an electroencephalogram (EEG) and heart rate variability (HRV). A cross-over experiment was conducted among 43 participants under three different desk work environments based on various materials involving an LWS, a fake LWS, and a bare white wall. The results conclude that LWSs effectively reduce the accumulation speed of negative psychological states caused by desk work to about 1/3, compared with a regular office environment without an LWS. However, occupants tend to be less excited and focused after resting in the LWS environment. Therefore, it is recommended to place LWSs in the rest area rather than close to the desk area in an office building, considering the balance between mental health and work efficiency. Full article
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15 pages, 4757 KiB  
Article
Exploration on Effects of Tinted Glazing on Outdoor Views and Visual Experience Inside Hotel
by Lu Yu, Jiashuo Wang and Runqi Liang
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1799; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061799 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 781
Abstract
Modern lifestyles result in people spending 90% of their time indoors, where windows serve as a unique component providing an outdoor view and enabling visual experiences. Chromogenic windows, which adjust both thermal and visual conditions, represent a promising fenestration system for achieving energy [...] Read more.
Modern lifestyles result in people spending 90% of their time indoors, where windows serve as a unique component providing an outdoor view and enabling visual experiences. Chromogenic windows, which adjust both thermal and visual conditions, represent a promising fenestration system for achieving energy savings. However, the tinting properties and their effects on human responses to filtered window views have not been thoroughly explored. This study conducted an experimental test using a customised questionnaire to investigate eight distinct window conditions in a hotel building. Forty-five participants took part in this evaluation by observing photographs. The conclusions drawn are as follows: (1) All tinted windows were found to be less acceptable than clear windows; however, the bronze window was relatively preferred. (2) In terms of visual capacity, the red window had the most negative effect, followed by the blue window. (3) Considering the window views, the tinted windows significantly disturbed the view outside. These results have the potential to guide the development of chromogenic windows in practical applications in the future, particularly from the perspective of colour selection. Full article
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24 pages, 4670 KiB  
Article
Psychological and Visual Perception of Campus Lightscapes Based on Lightscape Walking Evaluation: A Case Study of Chongqing University in China
by Haijing Huang, Binyue Zhang, Jingru Cheng and Yue Sun
Buildings 2024, 14(3), 753; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14030753 - 11 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1172
Abstract
The creation of lightscapes in colleges and universities are of great significance in enhancing the perception of the campus environment, improving physical and mental health, and shaping humanistic connotations. This research aims to examine lightscape perceptions and impacts of different campuses. At Chongqing [...] Read more.
The creation of lightscapes in colleges and universities are of great significance in enhancing the perception of the campus environment, improving physical and mental health, and shaping humanistic connotations. This research aims to examine lightscape perceptions and impacts of different campuses. At Chongqing University A and B Campuses, lightscape walking experiments, subjective questionnaires, objective luminance measurements, and HDR picture processing were used to examine lightscape perception and factors. The relevance and differences in the perception of circadian lightscapes in the two campuses were analyzed using SPSS software. The study found: (1) natural lightscapes such as sky light, cloud shadow, and lake water reflection were the most popular during the daytime, while artificial lightscapes, such as decorative lighting of buildings, were positively evaluated at night; (2) the frequency of visits by a crowd directly impacts the ambiance of the environmental area; (3) males showed strong emotional awareness and social interaction skills in daytime, leading to increased social activity and stronger emotional responses, but no differences in nighttime; (4) optimal nighttime luminance enhances the overall perception satisfaction of the illumination; (5) the amount and arrangement of outdoor space, vegetation, minor landscape design, and service facilities all affect the perception of circadian lightscapes. In conclusion, design concepts and proposals of landscapes were suggested to optimize college and university lightscapes. Full article
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