Strategies to achieve optimum visual quality for maximum occupant satisfaction: Field study findings in office buildings

• Published in: Building and environment Vol. 195; p. 107458
• Main Authors: Park, Jihyun, Loftness, Vivian, Aziz, Azizan, Wang, Tsung-Hsien
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 15.05.2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Acuity; Environmental satisfaction; Fixtures; Illuminance; Individual task lighting; Indoor environmental quality; Lenses; Lighting; Occupancy; Office buildings; Optimization; Post occupancy evaluation; Shading; Shading devices; Statistical analysis; User satisfaction; Visual acuity; Visual comfort; Visual quality; Work stations; Working conditions; Workstations; Visual comfort; Visual quality; Environmental satisfaction; Indoor environmental quality; Post-occupancy evaluation
• ISSN: 0360-1323; 1873-684X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107458

For visual quality, the traditional focus on illuminance for paper-based tasks and brightness contrast for visual acuity is becoming less relevant in modern offices with backlit computer screens and sporadic use of paper. This research aims to investigate critical correlations between user satisfaction, workstation lighting conditions, and the physical attributes of the work area. The statistical analyses were conducted to identify applicable recommendations leading to improved visual quality in today's work environment while maintaining optimal user satisfaction. Findings from post-occupancy evaluation on 1,232 workstations in 64 office buildings revealed that satisfaction level would increase by 20% on average when the occupants have a view to the outside in their seated workstations. Upgrading the ceiling light fixture with an indirect lens type increases visual satisfaction. Workstations with an indirect lens type had higher satisfaction (62%), while a prismatic ceiling lens type showed the lowest user satisfaction (34%). The analysis further identified that a combination of indirect light fixtures with task lights increases user satisfaction by 21%. Lastly, utilizing window shading devices revealed greater satisfaction with glare management. The occupants with external and internal shading devices in their work areas showed the highest satisfaction with their overall lighting. In addition to the recommendations mentioned above, an illuminance level of 406 lux for the work surface achieves maximum satisfaction in contemporary office environments. •Presents an occupant-centric assessment method for capturing indoor visual quality.•Identifies critical correlations between user satisfaction and lighting conditions.•Applicable design strategies for optimal visual quality with maximum satisfaction.•Reveals the critical thresholds for illuminance levels in the office environments.