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IMPACT OF DAYLIGHT ON USER PERCEPTION I N RESIDENCES

The Space
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, India (MoHUA), in a residential project of an area of more than 50m2, the minimum area of the largest room in a house is 14.85m2 (MoHUA). The height of the room is taken as 3000mm and the standard size of the openings is taken as
1500mm x 1200mm at 900mm from the sill. The spaces will be created by the permutations of the four openings, i.e. 15 permutations.

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Visualization

The vantage point is taken from a point where the three opposing walls, the floors, and the ceiling are visible. The vantage point is taken at 1600mm and an FOV of 120°.

For any given space, 3 factors change the quality of light.

  • Diurnal movement of the sun: Changes intensity, the direction of light.

  • Atmospheric conditions: Responsible for scattering and intensity of light

  • Opening/ Interface: Responsible to let light enter the space.

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Aim

The experiment aims to find out how to perceive a space change with the changing quality of light.

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Procedure

  • The psychological emotions and perceptions of light and colors are grouped by the similar meaning and qualities they have.

  • The visualizations are circulated among architects and designers.

  •  In a survey form, they are asked to select the closest emotion that they feel is associated with the space and light settings.

  • The participants are also asked to select the functions best suitable for the given space

    • Q1. What emotions/ feelings are closely associated with the space?

      • Enticing, Sultry

      • Warmth, Security, Happiness

      • Optimism, Positivity, Confidence

      • Enthusiasm, Excitement, Radiance

      • Effortlessness, Serenity, Relaxing

      • Innovativeness, Creativity, Inspiring

      • Richness, Fragility

      • Unknown, Uncertainty, Lost

    • Q2. This space will best function as:

      • Living Room

      • Bedroom Room

      • Kitchen

      • Bathroom

      • Lounge

      • Study / Library

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Observations and Analysis

Spaces that are rated the most suitable for different functions are mentioned and analyzed on the emotions they are associated with.

Result

At the end of the experiment, we observe the properties of different spaces and the most suitable function for them.

 

Living room

  • It is advised to have more than one opening in the space.

  • The configurations of the openings shall be provided to make the walls farther away to expand the space.

  • The orientation of the room should as such to increase the intake of warm-toned daylight (yellow-rich).

  • Openings shall permit medium to high intensity of light.

Bedroom

  • It is observed that people prefer a closed and not a space that is perceived to be expanding and large.

  • It is advised to provide minimum openings to provide privacy.

  • Since the bedroom is a dynamic personal space that is used

  • Since a bedroom is a dynamic-personal space, as it changes its function each hour of the day the user spends in it, the bedroom shall have a warm white light as well as the evening or early morning light to intake the blue part of the light.

  • The space shall be lit with natural warm-toned light to provide warmth, a sense of security, and serenity. The blueness of the evening and morning light provides physical and emotional calmness to the user.

Kitchen

  • The preferred spaces have an opening on one wall which makes the space seem longer.

  • The orientation shall be such that allows daylight to enter having low to high intensity.

  • Spaces with bright warm ambient light is preferred in the spaces.

  • Emotions associated with kitchens are warmth, security, positivity, optimism, and enthusiasm.

Bathroom

  • The preferred spaces have an opening on one wall which makes the space seem longer.

  • The observations from experiment 2 show that most preferred spaces have skylights and bright daylight coming in.

  • The openings should preferably allow low to medium intensity of light during the day.

  • The spaces are preferred where there are a minimum number of openings on the walls. Spaces shall have a more secluded space to function as a bathroom.

Lounge

  • It is advised to have multiple openings in this space and shall be lit throughout the day.

  • The orientation should allow space to intake the maximum amount of ambient light. The intensity of light coming n the space shall be between low and medium.

  • The space should also intake blue-rich, bright white, and amber-toned daylight.

  • The openings are preferred to be opposing each other to make it seem wider; skylights shall be used to make the ceilings feel lighter which makes the space seem taller.

  • Lounges must exhibit a feeling of radiance, positivity, warmth, and serenity.

Study/ Library

  • The arrangement of openings in the preferred spaces should make certain surfaces in the room visually lighter to make the volume look wider, longer, and taller or appear as if it expands across its physical boundations.

  • The openings shall allow the medium to the high intensity of natural light to enter the space throughout the day. The orientation should allow bright warm/ amber-toned natural light to enter (usually in late mornings to early evening).

Study rooms shall impart the feeling of warmth, positivity, relaxation, and should increase the creative and innovative thinking of the user. The space shall be designed to enhance such qualities.

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