HOW DO STUDENTS RESPOND TO LIGHTING CONDITIONS IN A STUDIO ENVIRONMENT? 

Glen Connolly

Test Methods
Technical Investigation/ Case Study
Survey Process

For copy of full dissertation, contact:
glenconnolly11@gmail.com

Supervisors:
Darren Bergin
Sameer Mehra

There are current standards in place for designing light for a variety of tasks. This study highlights how a failure to comply with these standards does not go unnoticed by occupants.

This study was carried out with the aim of observing how chosen studios comply with current standards1 for lighting and how students occupying these studios respond to their lighting conditions. Light is a consistent part of life that affects our sleep patterns and working hours, our alertness and health, yet the power and importance of light can be oftentimes overlooked by those who shape our built environment 2. This study, through quantitative and qualitative assesment, examines the key areas within the two chosen studios that need the be addressed and how the student response to their conditions correlates with their studio's level of compliance.

Two studios, with varying levels of daylight exposure were chosen as the subjects of this study as a means of observing the many factors that effect lighting conditions and comparing the results for each. A series of manual and simulated testing, under several metrics for measuring lighting conditions, were conducted to give context to both studio's current states of compliance. After this, a survey process was conducted with the students occupying each studio to gain an insight into how they perceive the lighting conditions in their respective studios, and if they have been affected by the lighting conditions in their studio. The survey was also used to determine the importance of daylight to students and the different factors that may impact their perception of their lighting conditions.

This study not only highlights the fact that both studios fail to meet current standards for lighting conditions, but more importantly that an inability to meet these standards does not go unnoticed by students. It was found that whilst a majority of students described their lighting conditions as "about right", a greater majority stated that their ability to work had been affected by the lighting conditions in their studio and that these conditions could be improved. The study also confirms the importance of daylight to students and how each studio has unique issues that require addressing due to their varying exposure to daylight among other distinctive factors.