DO STANDARDS SUCH AS BREEAM SECURE LIGHTING COMFORT IN WORK ENVIRONMENT?

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the standardisation of required values that are to define sustainable lighting in workspaces. When there is truly the danger of efficiency lighting values overtaking the meaning of sustainability when it comes to quality. In order to explain the problem a case study1 is used as reference material from a new build project, that was designed to meet BREEAM criteria for lighting in work environment. The aim of the client was to ensure quality and efficiency during building phase and for managing the building once in use. In the process of providing evidence for the project, there were several required values that might be considered counter effective in terms of efficiency and lighting quality in the name of sustainability standardisation. The lighting quality values should be as important as efficiency if the idea is to meet sustainability features of building use. Supposedly companies may require office spaces that provide value in staff productivity, loyalty and common happiness of people. Those may be in favour of certified lighting quality of sustainable buildings. In short, is it time to question the assumed standard requirement of lighting uniformity in workspaces?