Default Conditions: A Reason for Design to Integrate Human Factors

摘要

Increasing the use of natural light in commercial buildings could save up to 50 percent in energy consumption. Previous research has shown that there is a direct connection between occupant behavior and the energy consumed in a building. Experimental studies suggest occupants are less likely to adjust the shades if the available lighting is within their preferred levels and enough to perform their daily tasks. Therefore, in order to be able to increase daylighting in an office space, it is important to understand the effect of default lighting settings on occupants' rate of lighting adjustments as well as their performance. In this paper, through the use of immersive virtual environments, the authors have analyzed 64 participants' interactions and performance in a virtual office space when put in a room with default light setting set at either (1) only natural light available or (2) only artificial light available. The preliminary results indicate that people are significantly more likely to keep the lighting setting if the default has only natural light available than only artificial light.