The Determination of Qualitative Indicators on The Perception of Indoor Lighting

Explaining the Position of Environmental Psychology in Determining Factors Affecting Lighting Design

Abstract:

Vision is the most important perceptual sense among the other human senses because about 80 to 85 percent of our influence from the world around, is achieved through visual contact with the environment and if we consider that there isn’t enough light to take advantage of this sense to interact with the environment, the importance of lighting and related knowledge and methods will be more apparent.

Interior designers specially in Iran are using the relevant elements of the environment such as: space, form, structure, texture, color, in interior spaces, in order to achieve their goals which is providing satisfactory spaces, but unfortunately, only lighting has always been neglected and as a result, lighting design has declined to illuminate spaces only based on quantitative criteria. Although lighting and illumination methods is a new science in Iran, in the past three decades, significant development has been done on this to understand the values of perception. Studies on various aspects of lighting psychology in interior spaces, so far have been done through filling questionnaires by space users. According to these researches, lighting can have significant role in physical and psychological reactions of people in the environment.

Perception of lighted settings are the result of brain’s interpretation of physiological reactions to those atmospheres. These perceptions constitute the psychology of lighting and it depends not only on the light intensities, patterns and color; but also on the interpreter’s previous experiences, culture and mood. Lack of attention to qualitative issues in the design of interior spaces and neglecting peoples' need in responding to behavioral and psychological aspects of lighting in a particular area, leads to aimless spaces which often resulted in people going to other places to get rid of their negative feelings. Without providing psychological and behavioral essentials in each space, will not only reduce the performance but the efficiency of environmental activities, especially in workplaces. Also, failing to create spaces to attract customers through the behavioral approach such as retail spaces, restaurants, hotels, etc. Research on the psychological aspects of lighting in interior spaces has shown that different forms of lighting can create spaces with different characteristics. Since the experience of lighted spaces is a shared experience among space users, with the aid of well-designed and targeted lighting strategies, designers can create conditions under which user's emotional states can be affected, and if used as an environmental stimuli, they can also affect people's behavior.

According to these basic points, these questions come to mind: How can we create a special space with lighting that meets the needs of a particular behavior related to that space? According to which qualitative indicators can we measure the quality of lighting in interior spaces with different functions?

The purpose of this research is to introduce measures affecting the quality of the interior lighting so that lighting designers be able to create emotional states and behavioral responses in space users in accordance with the function of the space and finally increase the efficiency of the activities by making a significant impact on the physical and mental health of the individuals. In the present study it is assumed that the knowledge of light and detection of its perceptual nature, is one of the priorities in environmental design. Thus its main purpose is to recognize the factors affecting the perception of lighting and determine the indicators by which the quality of lighting in interior spaces, is mostly measurable; because research has shown that the quality in lighting is achieved when the created states are consistent with the space functions. To achieve this goal, first we focused to the theory of environmental psychology; Then M-R model is developed in relation to lighting. The result is: the factors that affect indoor lighting are external and environmental, like: environment, structure and space features, functions and activities, natural and artificial lighting. Unique features like physical, mental and spiritual aspects of individuals plays an important role in this process. Finally, concepts and internal impressions shaped in users were clearly identified so that outward signs like behavior and performance can be predicted in every spaces.

Key words: Environmental psychology, Internal spaces, Lighting, M-R model, Qualitative parameters.

Factors

affecting the perception of a space lighting

The physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of the audience

Internal understandings and impressions

External responses and signs

External & Peripheral

Internal

Internal:

-Relying on shared collective features
-Relies on individual characteristics

(physiological and psychological aspects)

External:

-Behavioral
-Practical

Urban Lighting: Role & Contribution on the path to a More Sustainable Society

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide energy saving strategies for public lighting using Light Emitting Diode (LED) technology while taking into account other aspects of lighting. As the main reasons for public lighting are the perception of urban space, safety, warmth and sense of belonging, environmental psychology has a great impact on the choice of light color, intensity and luminaire design. Therefore, in this report, through the case study of Paris the multidisciplinary aspect of lighting strategy and its contribution to energy transition are discussed. This paper discusses the adoption of LED luminaire to replace the current lighting system of Paris in various angles. First, two scenarios are provided to conduct calculation of the potential energy saving and cost. Scenario 1 is based on changing current street lamps with LEDs, and Scenario 2, considers both replacement of LED lamps and implementation of smart lighting and dimming strategies. It has been found to have an energy saving of 60% by using LED and an additional 15% with the dimming system while NPV and payback calculations show economic feasibility. Furthermore, some suggestions in terms of light perception and its effect on visitors are provided with a deeper focus on Tracadéro place for its popularity and the identified need of a better lighting system both in terms of efficiency and quality. It has been found that LEDs have a positive impact in safety perception of people for its brighter and whiter color, but does not have a specific effect on drivers perception in terms of target detection. Also, changing light colors to LEDs have a noticeable effect on social sustainability by the provision of pride and social control. Therefore, the proposed methodology and changes can be applied in other European cities. Moreover, municipalities should intensify their focus on their street lighting systems and new action-pushing regulation should be considered.

Keywords: Urban Lighting, Energy efficiency, Environmental Psychology, Economic feasibility, Policy,Paris,Trocedero

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A Worst Case Natural Lighting Condition in an Educational Context in Norway (Hoeggen School) Using Graphical Tool and VELUX Visualizer

Abstract

The aim of the study is to calculate, evaluate and improve daylighting in the room/building using different methods. As a case study, one of daylit classrooms in a school building has chosen which is assumed to have the worst natural lighting situation. The calculations of natural light in the classroom have been based on 3 methods: rough estimation, graphical method and Velux software. Rough calculation is based on Baker.B and Steemers.K book. The graphical method is according to the calculation of DF at 2 points in the classroom. One of them positioned midway between the window wall and the back wall and 1.0 m from the side wall, the second one represents the “worst case” sitting place in the room. The last calculation is the daylight factor in the room at the working area using the VELUX software. All these three results are compared to each other and to the Norwegian building code recommendations to see which one are more realistic. Finally, try to improve the lighting situation by proposing new manupolation in the design.

Keywords: Interior Lighting, Graphical method, Daylight factor, Velux

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The Role of the Natural Environment in the Sustainable Development of Gorgan City

Abstract:

A city is a place that shapes human-life potential and capabilities. On the one hand, each city has its own life, soul, and even personality. Therefore, every individual city should be recognized in its entirety and shaped on its origins as a place of living. On the other hand, human, naturally have always sought out the best places to create their social life centers. Searching for a particular geographical area, we try to find the suitable location with relation to natural features: The place where have a good situation in terms of access to water resources, having the proper directions of the sun's radiation, the possibility of using the right directions of the wind, being protected from inappropriate wind directions, and finally being safe from natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, etc.

Yet, the importance of human adaptation to the natural environment has diminished in the last two centuries as globalization of the world has intensified, the population has become increasingly concentrated in particular places and accessibility to technology has increased exponentially. With the aid of technology, man has extensively manipulated his natural environment to create conditions for their intended use of space.Thus, rapid urban development has influenced human life from different social, economic, cultural,and political aspects. The emergence of sustainable development as the main motto of the Third Millennium is due to the impact of cities on the biodiversity of the Earth and various aspects of human life. Undoubtedly, the main duty of humans, today, is to protect and maintain environmental balance. Beside, finding the principles of formation is the only answer to find the mechanisms involved in the stability of the physical system.

In this paper, the studied city of Gorgan, which is surrounded from north to Gorgan plain and bay and from south to Alborz mountainous regions, has a special position in terms of location in Iran. Located on the northern highway and having strong agricultural infrastructure are key factors affecting citizen's life. Thus, environmental factors, from climate to landform, have played an important role in the formation of urban centers and residential areas. These factors along with their impact on the way the city is formed, should be considered in city development decisions. Now, the question is: how these factors will affect the future expansion of the city? And is the current growth and development trend of Gorgan city in line with its sustainability?

This article does not examine a comprehensive view on all aspects of the environment and their impacts on the city. But, it focuses on the way the city interacts with the natural environment as the main concentration of today's social life. Also, since Gorgan has less focused on its beautiful environment and natural elements, every day we can witness the disappearance of nature to open more space for building constructions.

The research method is descriptive and analytical which includes:

1- Determining the environmental factors affecting the sustainable development of the city

2- Identifying the geographical,climatic and environmental situation of Gorgan

3. Comparing Sustainable Development Criteria with the current expansion of Gorgan

4. Analysing the findings and conclusions

And the results of this study can be used by urban designers and planners while they are thinking of future development in similar areas.

Key words: Gorgan city, Sustainable development, Environmental factors, Urban Development

An Overview of Rem Koolhaas Thoughts : Investigating the Factors Affecting the Formation and Trend of a Famous Architect

"When there in nothing, everything is possible, where there is architecture, nothing more is possible."

Rem Koolhaas

Abstract:

Rem koolhaas is an architect, Urbanist who is often referred to as a theorist in the architectural profession. The Process of his thoughts and insight, over 4 decades of thinking, pausing and focusing on architecture, urbanism and beyond, are reviewed in this text. The investigation of Rem koolhaas's thoughts are important for several reasons. Firstly, he lives in our contemporary world with our current concerns. He is affected by similar issues, he responds to changing situations, and he thinks about all these concerns while doing architecture work. Additionally, in recent years, he has worked extensively in the development of his ideas in scientific and professional communities and among architects and non-architects by publishing books, articles and numerous interviews with influential newspapers and magazines worldwide such as TIME and NEW YORKER. This, not only allows the possibility of examining his influential architectural ideas, but also facilitates the accessibility to reliable sources which is not the interpretation of his ideas and theories, but the thoughts presented by himself. The last and foremost reason for sensitivity in how he thinks, is his attempt to find pure thought. His efforts to understand how to think in architecture and the best way to think and create pure thoughts and how to get to this destination can be found in all of his writings, studies, interviews, and works. From writing a great book to present, describe and criticize all of his works to establishing AMO company and focusing on research in architecture, he was always focused on discovering and not merely construction.

In this article, which is divided into four sections, the biography of the architect and his influence from his lifestyle, place of living, place of education and so on will be considered as the primary factors affecting the development of the framework of his thought. In the next step, we focus on how he formed his thoughts and the way he thought in the areas of urban planning, architecture and fashion. In the end, we will examine the thinking process of Rem koolhaas and his attitude towards how to think about architecture in different periods of his career time. Finally, we divide the evolution of his ideas into four sections:

1-"Building": which is the result of Rem koolhaas' thoughts during the early years of his professional career that is until 1994 when he works under the name of OMA company.

2-" Questioning": It was the result of his thought during the period from 1995 to 2000, where he was involved in the founding of the Transnational Cooperation and Interdisciplinary Research Group.

3-" Look and Record": This view is the result of his work with a scientific team and the granting of a teaching seat at Harvard University.

4-"Finding": This vision comes from his working, designing and planning for the PRADA fashion company and visiting LOGAS city from which his main concern was applying technology for keeping the product up to date and sell properly and discovering how to turn this idea into a project. He believes that in order to have a correct thinking in architecture, you have to look closely, keep details in mind and recall well and in the way to complete your findings, you need to be updated and apply whatever you see. It is only in a distinct process from thought to architecture that architect can reach the level of cognition.

Key words: Rem koolhaas, Architect, Urbanist, Thinking process