Visual comfort

Rapid urbanization, modifications in the design and construction of built environments, time spent indoors, and shifting exposure patterns have highlighted indoor air quality (IAQ) as a critical issue in public health and the environment. Today's populations will spend most of their lives (80-90%) indoors, making exposure inside the homes dominant in contributing to total burden. An indoor environment is a complex mixture of particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), biologic pollutants, combustion products, and gas phase pollutants from both outdoor and indoor sources. Previous studies have linked poor IAQ to respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive dysfunction, allergies, reduced productivity, etc., and recently to microbial aerosols, carbon dioxide accumulation, and smart sensing technologies. In this paper, we review recent advancements in IAQ research and discuss the source and exposure routes, as well as the effects on health and new strategies in managing IAQ. Specific focus is given to sustainable building design, innovative technologies, and priorities for future research.

Following the Industrial Revolution and the rise of automobiles in cities, the shape and geometry of cities underwent significant changes, which affected urban morphology. This unsustainable development disrupted the balance between built and natural environments, leading to many problems for cities and their citizens over time. Environmental problems are the most significant. Damage to green infrastructure, natural ecosystems, water and air pollution, and extreme heat are just a few examples. Numerous Nature-based solutions have been proposed to achieve these goals. One primary strategy is the development of urban green spaces, which serve as a platform for restoring balance to cities and reducing environmental harm. Recent studies show that simply adding green spaces to cities is not enough. Their design and placement need to be carefully considered to maximize their benefits. Not considering these properties in the design and development of microclimates not only does not improve urban resilience but can also exacerbate these harms. Therefore, this chapter focuses on understanding the behavior of urban green spaces and their influential properties on urban microclimates. These influential properties include planting design and layout, tree proportions and geometric form, density and permeability, and other physiological characteristics.

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The current research studies the impact of vertical green walls (VGWs) attached to building facades on indoor daylighting performance in hot-arid climates. The study used a combined approach of field experimentation and simulation. Two identical experimental rooms were constructed on the campus of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), one with a green wall system and one as a base case. Illuminance levels in both rooms were measured under real sky conditions using lux meters. On the other hand, simulation models were developed in DesignBuilder and Velux software and validated using the experimental data. The VGWs, consisting of Hedera helix with varying foliage densities and cavity depths, were evaluated across different window orientations (east, west, and south) and during three seasonal periods (March, June, and December). The results demonstrate that VGWs can significantly reduce excessive illuminance and improve daylight distribution, with performance strongly influenced by orientation, foliage density, and cavity depth. For direct green walls, a 40% foliage density provided the most balanced daylight performance for east and west orientations, while 60% foliage density emerged as the optimal scenario for the south façade due to its ability to control excessive brightness and improve distribution. For the indirect green wall, shallow cavities (25–50 cm) had minimal influence on the east and west façades, while deeper cavities (75–100 cm) enhanced daylight penetration. On the south façade, shallow cavities (25–50 cm) performed best, whereas deeper cavities increased glare potential. Overall, the study demonstrates that VGWs are an effective passive design strategy for improving daylight quality, reducing visual discomfort, and supporting energy-efficient building design in hot-arid regions.

Lighting is a key element of design that plays a significant role in affecting workers' health and safety in industrial workspaces. Given the scarcity of scientific studies addressing visual environments in relation to workers health in industrial buildings, this field study was conducted to explore workers' responses to multiple lighting scenarios inside production halls on their occupational health and safety in six factories in Sadat City, Egypt. Self-assessments of 456 factory workers during day and night shifts were collected and correlated to light measurements collected at the factories. The statistical analysis of data revealed a significant reduction in workers reporting eye strain, alleviating headaches, and enhancing the ability to concentrate under daylight conditions compared to mixed and/or artificial lighting conditions. Moreover, it was found that lighting levels lower than 140 lux led to visual fatigue(p=0.03), headaches (p=0.014), drowsiness (p=0.004), and rapid loss of concentration (p=0.149) among workers. Poor lighting was shown to increase the likelihood of making occupational errors. Despite the health benefits of natural light compared to artificial lighting, glare from sunlight can sometimes cause headaches. This study emphasizes the importance of improving lighting quality in production halls within industrial environments, as it is a crucial factor in maintaining the health and safety of workers and enhancing professional performance.

To highlight the essential role of lighting in higher education buildings, this field survey was conducted to explore students' subjective assessments of daylight utilization within the drawing halls in the architectural departments of higher educational buildings that located in Cairo, Egypt, and the surrounding areas. With 854 participants, the primary objective was to explore the participants' evaluation of the lighting source impact on students' satisfaction, preferences, moods, wellbeing and behavioral states. Additionally, it sought to measure the significance of daylight as a design factor. The research findings reveal that the importance of the provision of daylight is equal to that of achieving thermal comfort, an imperative consideration in Egypt's hot climatic context. It was found that daylight significantly enhances students' satisfaction within drawing halls. Moreover, it exerts a positive impact on students' moods, and behaviors, notably reducing the occurrence of psychological and physiological symptoms, such as stress and headaches, while promoting greater cooperation and interaction among students. This study highlights the fundamental role of daylight in the design of drawing halls, not only for its aesthetic qualities or energy conversation potential, but also for its profound impact on the well-being and students' satisfaction. It advocates for the strategic integration of daylight in educational facilities to create environments that are conducive to learning and holistic development.

The mosque has long been evident in the planning and design of Islamic traditional cities like Dhaka, as a significant aspect of the city's CBD, neighborhoods, and residential districts, serving as their most prominent feature. A mosque's function extends beyond its religious capacity as a place of prayer since it also plays an important role in meeting the community's social demands. The introduction of socioeconomic activity within the mosque premises stimulates the development of additional activities in the vicinity, thereby transforming the mosque's entire layout into a communal space. But often this introduction of additional activities might hamper the connectivity and coherence of the religious spaces over time. This study aims to investigate how the National Mosque of Bangladesh, Baitul-Muqarrm, has changed in its spatial arrangement over the last 60 years in order to understand it's responses to diverse socioeconomic changes and spiritual practices in its urban environment. The research employed a combination of descriptive and analytical methods, along with logical reasoning. Initially, as-built drawings of the mosque were created using literature research, designed map analysis, and on-site surveys. Following that, the mosque drawings, both designed and existing, were evaluated using space syntax (UCL Depth Map) to understand the changes in spatial configurations. Subsequently, a thorough assessment of comparative analysis between the initial phase and the present phase of the mosque has been made, from the VGA (Visibility graph analysis), Isovist mapping, on-site surveys and the analysis of user observations. Comparing the analysis results, the study underscores that the visibility of the prayer space has declined by 70% at the ground floor and increased by 85% at the first floor. In terms of measuring spatial continuity through the mosque space layout, the ground floor of previous design demonstrated the greatest degree of connectivity, value at 14933, which is why, over time, the mosque area transformed into a venue for both spiritual and social economic activities. However, due to the recent influx of large peripheral retailers, the mosque ground floor's interactivity has been deflated by 10%. The study results depict how good mosque design with overall connectivity and accessibility of resulted on a positive increase in socioeconomic activities within a densely populated neighborhood in a regulated manner, keeping the spiritual spaces almost intact and unhampered. By addressing the physical and functional compatibility of mosques like Baitul-Muqarram, the study can be a significant resource for fostering urban mosque design principles.

Windows include a significant part of waste in buildings as they are transparent to solar heat and radiation. The use of shading devices is evaluated as a suitable strategy in order to improve the energy performance of the building. In this article, physical specifications of an office building in Kerman are modeled in Sketch Up software. Then, by assigning materials to the building components in Open Studio software, the building is simulated. Finally, the building energy consumption in the presence of fixed external shading devices, internal movable shading devices and simultaneous use of these two shadings, is calculated in Energy Plus software. Results show that the use of external fixed shading devices has better performance in reducing energy consumption compared to internal movable shading devices. In this regard, the external fixed shade with a depth of 150 (cm) has recorded the best result with reduction of 18.92% in annual energy consumption compared to the base state. The simultaneous use of external fixed shading with depth of 100 (cm) and internal movable shade with 63.57 (GJ) saving, shows the most reduction in building annual energy consumption.

This study on Passive design considerations for the solar orientation focuses residential buildings for its application in retrofitting the developments is proposed for energy conservation by the government and private sectors. This study integrates the experimental findings on test rooms at main orientations as a PhD dissertation for implementation in the residential sector in addition to many other identified features. Different practical environmental data is calculated for climatic consideration in architectural and urban design. The standard house planning and its configuration is presented in relation to orientation for the thermal control. The results of experimental study and simulations showed the SW an optimum orientation for heating and cooling requirements. (Sabahat Arif ,Arif Khan and Khalid Alamgir. BUILDING ORIENTATION AND ITS EFFECT ON HOUSE PLAN CONFIGURATION FOR THE CLIMATE OF LAHORE. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):362-368) (ISSN:1097- 8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 56

This paper studies the daylight characteristics in selected high schools that are located in heritage-listed buildings. Heritage buildings were selected in this research due the problematic condition regarding the indoor illumination level after being adaptively reused. Based on the previous research, lighting in educational institution is a critical factor because poor lighting not only isdetrimental to the occupants’ visual comfort but also might lead to visual fatigue. To achieve the objectives of this paper, daylight level measurements and observation were conducted. The results show that the daylight that penetrates into the classrooms were below the standard due to many obstructions founded in both schools. Artificial lightings were used as a supplementary during thewhole school hours since the daylight was not uniformly distributed. Thus it can be concluded that the inappropriate adaptive reusing heritage building indoor is significantly affecting the indoor light level and m...

Heritage buildings are designed mostly to be adaptive with the local climate. The main purpose of these adaptive strategies is to create users' thermal comfort as well as solving the problem of high rain precipitation in the tropical climate area. These thermal adaptation strategies will definitely influence room daylight condition. External shading device used in heritage building is one of thermal adaptation strategies, but it will also obstruct the daylight penetration. Design solution should be thought to maximise daylight condition. However, the design solution for heritage building has its own limitations where certain guidelines must be adhered, especially when resizing the existing windows to obtain better daylight condition is needed. This research studies the daylight condition on the designated schools and finding the most feasible solutions to overcome the lighting problems. The existing condition of the daylight was measured using lux meter and the data obtained were analysed descriptively by comparing to the related references in order to gain a maximum result. A simulation by using computer software was also conducted for simulating daylight level in both buildings. Based on the measurements that have been conducted, it shows that the daylight level on the designated buildings was below the standard and the current artificial lighting system was also failed to create the standard illuminance level The solutions for this problems are resizing the window or creating an artificial lighting system. Although in this research proposes 2 solutions to overcome the problems, the latter solution is considered as the most feasible solution to treat heritage building to be a visually comfortable building without major alteration on the building fabrics since both studied buildings are listed as a National Heritage Monument.

Enhancing daylighting in the lecture halls of a university not only allows students to have better learning conditions but also is visually comfortable and helps in saving electricity. This study compares the outcomes of a selected lecture hall in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which are illuminance, light uniformity, and glare probability. DIALux evo was used to model the lighting for different settings in various scenarios that were considered to improve light quality. The work examines the manner, in which different shading structures like horizontal and vertical shading devices provide light into an interior. The research has revealed that the execution of the right daylighting design can be favorable to the incorporation of good lighting and energy conservation. The immediate growth of sustainable architectural knowledge can be seen especially in that the research offers exact methods of the daylight quality improvement in educational settings that can be applied in reality. The study indicates the role orientation, window placement, and shading devices play in getting the most of daylight when being used and to cutting out the glare which indirectly improves the visual comfort and learning of the students. This research shows that implementing strategic daylighting design affects both the quality of light and energy conservation. This research advances the knowledge of sustainable architecture by offering precise suggestions for improving the quality of natural light in learning facilities and studying these suggestions' impact.

Visual comfort is a fundamental human goal impacted by the perception of interior architectural geometry via vision as one of five human sensors. The geometrical and spatial qualities of an architectural space, including area, size, dimension, volume, and human scale, among others, affect the perceived space. Furthermore, it is necessary to note that daylight influences the perceived indoor space. The mosque was the most important building in Islamic civilization because it serves as the principal place of worship. The prayer hall (or haram) is an essential part of the mosque. Mosque typo morphology is the focus of this research, which examines the building from a spatial and volumetric perspective. This study investigates how prayer hall's most popular typo-morphological characteristics may affect users' visual comfort. This study examines mosque typo-morphological design using mixed-method qualitative and quantitative evaluations. A qualitative method was used to describe the mosques through architectural drawings. A quantitative questionnaire survey was conducted to receive experts' feedback on mosque visual comfort satisfaction using VR. The study's findings indicate that creating spatial openness and visible volume in prayer hall configurations clear of obstacles and effective integration with monumental scale and vertical visual proportion significantly impacts visual comfort. The study concluded that the levels of visual comfort in mosque prayer halls differ according to the typo-morphological design characteristics of mosques. The current study contributed to linking the known mosque prototypes and the level of visual comfort for users through an in-depth comparative-analytical study.

Natural resources such as daylight and sunlight are highly appreciated in countries with prevailing overcast skies. Taking advantage of this scarce resource contributes to saving energy on artificial lighting. In contrast to northern, southern European cities are distinguished by a large number of days with direct sunlight caused by a propitious climate condition. While it is a positive issue in terms of energy availability, the abundance of it can be counterproductive if management measures are not taken. Apart from the thermal consequences, lighting penetration into buildings causes a great contrast between inside and outside. This is especially critical when the visual system does not have enough time to adapt, as happens at entrance areas. The aim of this study is to analyze the light contrast between these areas and the urban outside in sunny conditions. To attain this objective, light data from five entrance spaces and their contiguous streets were analyzed and measured. The results were divided into three zones in the visual scene, showing an increasing contrast from top to bottom of the visual field. It may be concluded that interventions applied to urban areas and building pavements can improve visual adaptation in the transition zone.

Background: LEDs and fluorescent lights are widely used for their energy efficiency, but concerns exist regarding their impact on eye health, particularly eye
strain and visual comfort.
Aims and Objectives: To compare the impact of LED and fluorescent lighting on eye strain, visual performance, and overall comfort among individuals with
prolonged exposure.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited participants aged 14-50 who used either LED or fluorescent lighting for at least four hours daily.
Data were collected via a structured online questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney U tests, with statistically
significant value set at p < 0.05.
Results: Among 364 participants, 318 (87.4%) used LED lighting and 46 (12.6%) used fluorescent lighting. LED users reported longer comfort durations,
with 38.36% able to work for more than 2 hours, compared to 23.91% of fluorescent users (p = 0.014). Dry eye symptoms were more frequent in LED users
(23.27% vs. 13.04%, p = 0.048). Headaches were more common among fluorescent users (45.65% vs. 31.45%, p = 0.046), while sleep disturbances were reported among LED users (50.63%) than fluorescent users (43.48%). LED lighting was linked to burning sensation in 20.75% of users.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that LED lighting is more conducive to longer work periods with reduced eye strain compared to fluorescent lighting, though concerns about dry eye and sleep disturbances persist.

This paper investigates the integration of thermal feedback into virtual reality (VR) environments to enhance architectural design processes. While traditional VR simulations focus primarily on visual experiences, this work expands the scope to incorporate thermal sensations, offering a more immersive and holistic design tool. The development of a "Thermal VR" system, combining heat emitters with VR goggles, allows architects to assess both the thermal and visual qualities of their designs more intuitively. The system was tested using various facade designs in a virtual office setting, specifically simulating solar radiation and its impact on indoor conditions. The results demonstrate the feasibility of integrating thermal feedback in VR and highlight its potential to enhance spatial perception and decision-making. However, challenges remain in the flexibility of generalizing the approach to different designs. This research contributes to the emerging field of climate-aware architectural design, offering valuable insights into the potential of VR as a tool for simulating combined visual and thermal experiences.

Visual comfort in indoor spaces depends on the amount and quality of light available and also on space characteristics. One of the most influential aspects is the colour of surfaces definint a space. Each colour has a reflectance coefficient resulting from how much light is reflected back from the coloured surface. However, from the observer’s point of view, there are other factors that may affect visual perception of a space painted with colours. Some of them are psychological and depend on the background of the observer while other factors are physiological and are strongly connected to the sense of sight. According to this theory, architectural spaces could take advantage of the benefits of colour to improve visual responses for users. In this paper, we present a case study in which three coloured spaces with different lighting conditions were assessed by a sample of observers. At the same time, luminance and illuminance measurements were taken so as to compare these values with ...

Lighting is a key element of design that plays a significant role in affecting workers' health and safety in industrial workspaces. Given the scarcity of scientific studies addressing visual environments in relation to workers health in industrial buildings, this field study was conducted to explore workers' responses to multiple lighting scenarios inside production halls on their occupational health and safety in six factories in Sadat City, Egypt. Self-assessments of 456 factory workers during day and night shifts were collected and correlated to light measurements collected at the factories. The statistical analysis of data revealed a significant reduction in workers reporting eye strain, alleviating headaches, and enhancing the ability to concentrate under daylight conditions compared to mixed and/or artificial lighting conditions. Moreover, it was found that lighting levels lower than 140 lux led to visual fatigue(p=0.03), headaches (p=0.014), drowsiness (p=0.004), and rapid loss of concentration (p=0.149) among workers. Poor lighting was shown to increase the likelihood of making occupational errors. Despite the health benefits of natural light compared to artificial lighting, glare from sunlight can sometimes cause headaches. This study emphasizes the importance of improving lighting quality in production halls within industrial environments, as it is a crucial factor in maintaining the health and safety of workers and enhancing professional performance.

This study evaluate the lighting illuminance level in offices' block of Borno State University (BOSU). Lighting is one of the key elements in building infrastructure and among the factors that combine to create healthy work environments that in turn help promote employees' wellbeing and accurate productivity. A standardised TES-1332A digital lux meter was used to assess the lighting illuminance level to ascertain whether offices lighting are within stipulated range by CIBSE guideline. The obtained data were analysed using SPSS statistical package at significance level of 0.05. The corrected model, encompassing

The most important contributions of metropolitan cities to modernity is its noise pollution and visual, and structural disturbances in urban life. Due to the fact that these cities have entered into a new world that has not experienced any of its principles before it has tested the urban structure and has a proper connection between the needs of the inhabitants and even the dominant tradition and culture. City billboards and advertisements have doubled the visual disturbances in this new sovereignty of urbanization; this kind of visual pollution causes mental confusion and reduces the intellectual concentration of individuals, and its effects and consequences is progressing through time. The images in the city's atmosphere, including buildings, streets, traffic signs and commercial and exterior signs of buildings and stores, various billboards and urban furniture, and other elements that are exposed to the public, have different colors which have different psychological effects on viewers. Color as one of the most important visual elements can have an active and influential effect on the general public's perspective of the city and its psychological effects on its citizens. The question is whether a suitable solution could be made to regulate the types of commercial billboards and, thus, provide psychological comfort and safety for citizens. This study has used library resources, internet data and survey method and analysed them after observing and investigating the collected data and the analysis of colors in advertising billboards and their layout along with their psychological effects, especially in the intersection of the crowded streets of Mashhad. In addition to searching for major problems in urban advertising in terms of environmental qualities, the researchers have tried to provide appropriate solutions to the challenge through visual comfort components and their evaluation. The results of this research show that the promotion of the level of visual components, including color in advertising, and in particular at the intersection of streets and congestion of traffic signs and warning signs, has a profound effect on urban landscape. Accordingly, encouraging the use of appropriate advertising equipment and providing appropriate solutions for organizing and institutionalizing urban advertising, will enhance its quality and create order and beauty in the environment, and thus provide visual comfort to citizens.

Among various solutions in sustainable building design, optimum interior daylight is vital in improving visual comfort and occupants' well-being. Semitransparent perovskite solar windows have emerged as a promising solution because they offer energy generation and enhance daylighting performance. In hot desert climates, such as Qatar, the high intensity of solar radiation poses various challenges to achieving a comfortable visual environment. This paper focuses on the ST-PSW's impact on daylighting and glare issues. The research will determine an optimum value of WWR and VLT for office buildings in Qatar that provides a better balance between natural light intake and visual comfort. Simulations were performed in Grasshopper for Rhino, while daylighting analyses were performed using Radiance software. The outcome of these analyses indicates that 40% WWR with a VLT of 0.4 is an ideal solution providing the most daylight yet limiting glare. However, supplementation through artificial light sources may be required in certain areas. A 60% WWR with the same VLT allows for better distribution of natural light; however, this may involve the use of shade in winter months. The best combination is 60% WWR with a VLT value of 0.3, which presents the optimal distribution between daylight and glare control, limiting the need for any extra light source or shading. The research findings will contribute to developing intelligent building strategies and play to Qatar's 2030 vision for sustainable development.

A investigação considera a hipótese de que o uso do dispositivo prateleira de luz pode contribuir para aperfeiç;oar a distribuição e o controle da luz natural interna, o que melhoraria o conforto visual e aumentaria a eficiência energética do edifício. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar a influência desse dispositivo combinado com diferentes tipos de vidro em condições de obstrução externa, aproximando-se da realidade dos centros urbanos verticalizados. Foram escolhidas seis cidades brasileiras em diferentes latitudes, nas quais foi simulado um edifício de escritórios composto por aberturas com diferentes percentuais de obstrução da abóbada celeste. Analisou-se a iluminânciaútil (Useful Daylight Illuminances — UDI), por meio do software Daysim, e obteve-se como resultado a comprovação de que a inserção dos edifícios verticais nos centros urbanos —modelo usual nas cidades brasileiras— pode interferir na qualidade lumínica do ambiente interno.

Visual performance and visual comfort are a combined effect of the illumination characteristics and the illuminated objects. Current surgical lighting systems have a fixed shape illumination pattern, whereas the wound and surroundings have a variable shape and characteristics. A lighting system that is able to adapt its shape and light distribution to the characteristics of the wound might improve visual performance. This paper describes the development of a new concept for lighting using bendable strips with LEDs. The basic idea of placing LEDs on a bendable surface is very simple and elegant. To achieve a functional system, the effects of the different design choices, such as shape of the strips, number of LEDs, number of strips, and LED power were investigated. The influence of these choices is evaluated by simulation using a computational model to identify the optimal parameters for the design. The final design is evaluated using the computational model and a physical prototype consisting of one luminaire segment. The system is able to produce light fields that can have fairly complex shapes at a good range of different sizes. Recommendations about aspects like spot size and strip number are given. The physical test model indicates that the calculated system functions close to how it would in a real-life situation. Given the results, it expected that a system, which is able to modify the light field in real time and that requires minimal control effort, could improve lighting in the operating room.

Daylight is a fundamental resource to achieve indoor quality and energy efficiency in educational buildings and therefore to improve their sustainability. The study presented in this paper is aimed at defining and testing a method to assess daylighting in classrooms based on performance indicators drawn from literature, standards and green building rating protocols (LEED), and intended as a tool to assess lighting sustainability and drive the retrofit of existing schools into comfortable and energy efficient buildings. The assessment approach is based on both in field analysis and dynamic climate-based simulations. In the paper the results obtained from the application of the method to a case study are presented.

We present a simulation method to evaluate and visualize disability glare problems. Mathematical calculations of visual degradations due to optical imperfections in the eye are performed on luminance photos of scenes and the result is visualized. The method was evaluated in three indoor and outdoor cases where different visual aspects on disability glare were studied. Overall, the simulations predicted problem areas in the scenes to a large extent. The method was also applied in a light rendered 3D-model and gave indications for improvements of the light setting. Aspects on improving environmental planning by better understanding of human vision are discussed.

Urban visual pollution is increasingly affecting the built-up areas of the rapidly urbanizing planet. Outdoor advertisements are the key visual pollution objects affecting the visual pollution index and revenue generation potential of a place. Current practices of uninformed and uncontrolled outdoor advertising (especially billboards) impairs effective control of visual pollution in developing countries. Improving this can result in over 20% reduction of visual pollution. This article presents a spatial decision support system (SDSS) to facilitate all the stakeholders (development control authorities, advertisers, billboard owners, and the public) in balancing the optimal positioning of billboards under the governing regulations. In terms of its technical implementation, SDSS is based on well-known geospatial open source technologies and uses an analytical hierarchy process AHP-inspired approach in spatial decision-making. It can help users through its category-specific user interfa...

Daylight illuminance levels and their spatial distribution are important design elements to achieve indoor visual comfort conditions and sustainability in buildings during the operation stage. While a proper daylighting scheme increases the efficiency of the building, the excessive use of glazed surfaces can contribute to thermal and visual discomfort, hence increasing the cooling demand and use of artificial lighting. Solar control film (SCF) is a self-adhesive thin film that can be applied on glazing systems of existing buildings for retrofitting purposes to modify thermal and optical properties of the glass substrate. This paper analyses experimentally the impact of single glazing with different SCFs on the indoor illuminance levels and respective distribution on horizontal work plane by comparing the measured absolute values and the useful daylight illuminance metric. Field experiments using a small scale model with the glazing oriented to the south, in Lisbon, were performed fo...

Introduction The concept of home goes far beyond physical aspects, and its essence is interwoven with the spiritual nature of humankind. Purpose of the study This paper aims at examining the spatial formations of five contemporaneous historical Islamic residences in three cities: Cairo, Damascus, and Aleppo. We intend to show that their layouts, which were mainly governed by certain traditions of privacy and visibility, were negatively affected by those factors in terms of functional and psychological efficiency. Methods The paper utilizes Space Syntax formulas and the UCL Depthmap software to investigate and analyze the spatial configurations of these residences to provide a new comprehension of the life experience and the functional performance in these abodes, which were always regarded as ideal. Results show that the layouts in the five residences offer satisfactory qualities in terms of the privacy level, which is certainly a fundamental human need. However, the hierarchy of access to spaces has negative consequences for psychological requirements and functional efficiency. Conclusions In order to meet certain social considerations, the spatial configurations in these residences failed to meet other functional and psychological needs of the inhabitants.

External shading devices have been utilized very extensively in residential buildings in the tropics to reduce the amount of solar radiation entering into the buildings. However, this will affect the availability of daylight for interior lighting as well as natural ventilation for passive cooling and thermal comfort. This paper discusses the impacts of six different types of external shading device on a residential building in Singapore. The investigation was carried out via the use of LIGHTSCAPE for daylighting simulations and PHOENICS CFD simulations for natural ventilation. From the series of parametric studies, the design of external shading devices to optimize daylighting and natural ventilation performance is developed. The interactions and the inter-relationship between daylighting and natural ventilation simulations that could affect the simulation results were also discussed. Lastly an actual field measurement was also conducted, which serves to provide data for the validation of simulation output.

Resumo: cada vez mais a tecnologia invade os edifícios sob variadas formas, com as mais diversas funções e objectivos, mas sempre com o propósito de melhorar a qualidade de vida do utilizador. neste trabalho aborda-se esta temática do ponto de vista da ...

Incorporating an illumination optimization plan into the worker safety management process in industrials is essential since the quality of workplace illumination has a significant impact on workers' well-being. The purpose of this study was to optimize illumination conditions in industrial workspaces using light-emitting diode (LED) technology with a color temperature of 6500 K and a CRI of 85 %. To accomplish this, the DIALux illumination simulation tool was utilized. It was validated using measured illumination data from a lux meter (ST-1300 model 1308). Four factors-the number of luminaires, the effective height of the luminaires, the illumination technology, and the light loss factor-were applied to configure sixteen simulation scenarios. Subsequently, eleven quadratic polynomial equations were proposed for estimating the changes in the average illumination in eleven workplaces using the multiple regression analysis technique on the simulatively prepared dataset. The final step was assessing the desirability degree of the suitable illumination scenario. It was discovered that the DIALux software's illumination simulation error percentage fell within an acceptable range. The illumination technology factor had the greatest impact on the average illumination of workplaces. The most impactful interaction terms of the factors were illumination technology and the number of luminaires. For every workplace, the optimized illumination's desirability degree was expected to be more than 0.9. The proposed approach yields promising results and can be a valuable tool for improving the illumination conditions of workers in industries.

This review paper examines visual pollution, its causes, and impacts on human health and well-being, defined as unattractive and disruptive visual elements in the environment that degrade aesthetic quality. It explores sources such as billboards, litter, industrial structures, and poorly planned urban development. The paper discusses how rapid urbanization, industrialization, and excessive advertising exacerbate visual clutter, particularly in urban areas. The impacts of visual pollution on health are significant, including increased stress, anxiety, and diminished quality of life. Vulnerable populations, such as lower-income communities, children, and the elderly, face heightened risks due to greater exposure. The review highlights disparities in exposure and health outcomes, emphasizing that the cumulative effects of visual pollution and socioeconomic disadvantages intensify its negative impact. The paper also evaluates strategies for mitigation, including urban planning measures like green spaces and zoning regulations, as well as regulatory approaches to manage outdoor advertising and waste. By addressing visual pollution through comprehensive planning and regulation, the paper aims to inform policies that enhance environmental aesthetics and improve public well-being.

Most of the research into evaluating the perception of stereoscopic 3D images tries to draw conclusions on the overall 3D quality only by analyzing the 2D quality and the depth. But experiments show that the viewing comfort and the naturalness of the scene are two other significant factors that define the 3D experience. We implemented a psycho-visual experiment in which we explored the way these two subjective factors are perceived. We recorded the oral observations made by 26 users while watching 24 stereoscopic images displayed on a 3D screen in identical conditions. Key words were extracted from the recordings and subsequently analyzed. Our results show a very different perception of comfort among participants while watching the same images. Two hypotheses were envisaged. The first and most probable is that the degree of subjectivity due to the vision characteristics and to the background of the participants is more consistent that believed. The second hypothesis is that these la...

The high electricity consumption recorded in some buildings in Latin American cities is increasingly apparent and has become a strategic priority in official energy efficiency programs. In order to save energy in buildings without interfering with visual activities that require specific lighting levels, it is necessary to take into account not only the amount, but also the quality of lighting that has an impact on workplaces. This article sets out the results of the evaluation of different glazing materials considered as alternatives for building envelopes. The experiment was conducted in the Habitat Sciences Laboratory (LASH) at the National School of Public Works (ENTP) in Lyon, France, in the spring of 2010. A transverse, sequential methodology was used with the main objective of analyzing said glazing materials and physical models in simulated environments, to obtain results that differentiate their utilization in spaces with varying uses: from those that need a certain minimum ...

This systematic literature review (SLR) focuses on indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in passenger transport vehicles within tropical and subtropical regions. It specifically examines indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal comfort (TC), acoustic comfort (AC), and visual comfort (VC) of passenger vehicle cabins (PVCs) in auto rickshaws, sedans, trucks, bus rapid transits (BRTs), buses, trains, trams, metro systems, aircraft and ferries of tropical and subtropical regions. The SLR used the PRISMA approach to identify and review scientific studies between 2000 and 2024 on the IEQ of PVCs in the tropics. Studies reviewed were found in SCO-PUS, Web of Science, Science Direct, and EBSCO databases including relevant citation references. Findings reveal a significant geographical imbalance in research, with most studies concentrated in tropical Asia (78.2%), while sub-Saharan Africa (8.2%), South America (11.8%), and Oceania (1.8%) are considerably underrepresented. In 113 studies, most addressed IAQ and TC but limited attention to AC and VC. Moreover, fewer studies have jointly addressed all the IEQ parameters, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to IEQ for tropical PVCs. Several studies alluded to in-cabin commuter risk linked to PM2.5, PM10, carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These risks are exacerbated by traffic hotspots, poor ventilation, ambient pollution, overcrowding, and poor vehicle conditions. Additionally, thermal discomfort is compounded by extreme heat loads, inefficient HVAC systems, and high vehicle occupancy. Common gaps include a paucity of IEQ studies and inadequate IEQ regulations or adapted standards in developing tropics. Infrastructural and regulatory deficiencies have been identified, along with strategies for mitigation. Recommendations are for more holistic IEQ studies in the tropics, including exposure studies for emerging gaps in new indoor pollutants, integration of AI and IoT for sustainable ventilation strategies, and development of effective regulatory frameworks considering region-specific conditions. Finally, Policymakers are encouraged to establish localized IEQ standards, enforce regulations, and prioritize upgrades to transport infrastructure. The SLR findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions in developing tropical regions to address disparities in IEQ, ensuring healthier and more sustainable transport environments that could be replicated across transport systems worldwide.

The relationship between the sun and building design
has long been a critical factor in designing indoor
spaces' thermal comfort, energy efficiency, and
overall livability. The primary objective of this
research is to explore and analyze the connection
between the sun's movement, the form of a building,
and openings, with a focus on how these factors
influence heating, cooling, and energy consumption.
This study aims to provide a comprehensive
understanding of the various environmental and
architectural parameters that affect the thermal
performance of buildings. By focusing on definitions
of thermal heating, cooling, solar radiation, and sun
orientation, this research will compare different
approaches to how these factors can play an
important role in building design to achieve a
balanced internal environment.

Research demonstrated a large variety regarding effects of light (e.g. health, performance, or comfort effects). Since human health is related to each individual separately, the lighting conditions around these individuals should be analysed individually as well. This paper provides, based on a literature study, an overview identifying the currently used methodologies for measuring lighting conditions in light effect studies. 22 eligible articles were analysed and this resulted in two overview tables regarding the light measurement methodologies. In 70% of the papers, no measurement details were reported. In addition, light measurements were often averaged over time (in 84% of the papers) or location level (in 32% of the papers) whereas it is recommended to use continuous personal lighting conditions when light effects are being investigated. Conclusions drawn in light effect studies based on personal lighting conditions may be more trusting and valuable to be used as input for an effect-driven lighting control system.

Windows play a pivotal role in building design by providing daylight, solar heat gains, and natural ventilation. However, older buildings with outdated windows and inadequate solar control suffer from overheating, discomfort glare, and high cooling costs. While replacing existing windows with high-performance products can significantly boost energy efficiency and occupant comfort, the associated costs can be prohibitive. Consequently, retrofit technologies that utilize existing glass panes and frames offer a compelling solution. This paper investigates the thermal, energy, and daylight performance of two innovative window retrofit technologies
relative to a clear reference tested simultaneously at the BeTOP outdoor test cells in Toronto, ON-a vicinity with distinct warm summers and cold winters. The retrofits included a near-infrared absorbing CsWO3-SnO2 nanosuspension
and a nanoceramic WO3-based photochromic window film with dynamic absorptance to visible radiation. The low-cost technologies were applied directly to interior glass surfaces, allowing for swift installation with minimal occupancy interruption. The results show that retrofitting existing glass did not significantly influence the equivalent thermal transmittance but significant reductions in the equivalent solar factor and solar transmittance were observed. Although the retrofits did not significantly influence the energy consumption in
this particular setting due to Toronto’s cold climate and the adopted low window-wall ratio (10%), they contributed to the mitigation of overheating indicated by up to 50% reduction in the percentage of people dissatisfied. Furthermore, the photochromic film significantly improved visual comfort indicated by a 10%–17% improvement in the useful daylight illuminance and a 9% reduction in peak discomfort glare probability.

ETFE is known as ethylene tetra-fluoroethylene, which is a highly durable polymer material with excellent light transmission properties. The growing adoption of this emerging lightweight material in building construction can be attributed to its inherent characteristics, including its high daylight transmittance, energy-saving potential, and reduced weight in comparison to conventional glazing glass solutions. This paper intends to assess the performance of different frit patterns of ETFE foils as building facades on the distribution of natural daylighting and illuminous environment within the buildings. The research methodology involves a combination of on-site monitoring of selected case study building and physical lab test to ensure a comprehensive research approach. Analysis focuses on key parameters which included the outdoor and indoor lighting level measured in unit of lux and daylight factor to determine the performance for different frit patterns of ETFE Foils. The major findings of this research show that 16mm dots fritted ETFE foils contribute to the most optimal daylighting performance among 4.3mm dots fritted and clear ETFE foils. Understanding daylighting performance of different frit patterns of ETFE foils helps architects and designers on the selection, customization and application of fritted ETFE Foils as building facades. The research outcomes will provide broad insights to the growing body of knowledge on integration of fritted ETFE facades to enhance the overall daylighting performance, quality of indoor illuminance environment and well-being of building occupants.

Shading systems, if efficiently operated, can improve the internal environmental quality, namely both thermal and visual comfort, and reduce the energy consumption due to cooling needs. Roller shades represent one of the most commonly used types of shading systems, in particular in the tertiary sector. Not only they can be easily installed and maintained, but also they often represent the only design choice when existing buildings are considered. Although roller shades are characterized by a beam-beam and by a beam-diffuse transmittance, both changing according to the incidence angle, as the transmitted solar radiation decreases with the increase of it, they are typically modelled assuming equal reflectance and emissivity for both sides and perfect diffuser behavior, with transmittance and reflectance independent from the solar radiation incidence angle. Neglecting the daily variability of these properties can lead to underestimate their impact on the occupants&#39; comfort conditio...