Appraisal of the Lighting Conditions in an Office Building: Results of a Survey

Abstract

A postoccupancy evaluation was conducted to examine building occupants' satisfaction with the overall lighting conditions in an office building. Illumi nance and luminance levels were measured at each workstation from which illuminance uniformity ratios and luminance contrast ratios were derived. These objective parameters were compared with the recommendations of existing lighting standards and occupants' appraisals. Other objective goals of this study were to examine whether nearness to windows and gender differ ences had any bearing on their appraisals. The results of the study indicate that although most of the objective lighting parameters met the standards, a sub stantial proportion of employees remained unsatisfied. Proximity to windows affected occupants' appraisals of lighting as did gender differences though to a lesser degree.