Visual Environment Within the Already-built Underground Development in South Korea

Abstract

The utilisation of underground spaces has been receiving more attention in Korea in recent years. However, due to continuous complaints of environmental quality from would-be occupiers, the developers must identify the possible negative aspects that could potentially relate to the physical characteristics of underground spaces to alleviate the impacts. This research aims to determine the sustainable design guidelines for underground developments in relation to the visual environments. At the first stage, the study focused on the evaluation of the already-built examples to assess the problems that exist in the underground spaces of high-rise offices recently built in Korea. The visual aspect in terms of illuminance and the human responses with regard to naturally occurring lighting in the underground environment are the issues of major concern. A series of model simulation has provided the advance configurations for the commonly used sunken structures. The study has also proffered skylight systems as a better sustainable solution for the underground development.