The Impact of Light Distribution and Furniture Layout on Meeting Light Exposure Objectives in an Office – A Simulation Case Study

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Date

2021

Authors

Danell, Megan
Hartmeyer, Steffen
Petterson, Lisa
Davis, Robert
Andersen, Marilyne
Rockcastle, Siobhan

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon

Abstract

The present simulation case study compares the impact of electric lighting distributions in relation to work-desk location and orientation on work-plane and eye-level illumination within a small private office. The aim of this study is to better understand the implications of lighting and furniture design decisions on ocular light exposure with consideration of work-plane illuminance based on current recommendations by the IES and the International WELL Building Institute. Five electric lighting configurations, 3 occupant seating locations, and 3 view directions were simulated and compared. No conditions met work-plane and eye-level illumination targets at the same time. Only by adjusting the spectrum and output intensity were both illumination targets achieved. Overall, vertical wall illumination when seated close to the illuminated wall resulted in the highest eye-level light exposure. These results indicate that vertical plane illumination can act as an effective lighting design for both horizontal and vertical illuminance when furniture configurations are selected accordingly.

Description

8 pages

Keywords

light exposure, electric lighting distributions, occupant location, light distribution, illuminance levels

Citation

Danell, M., Hartmeyer, S.L., Petterson, L., Andersen, M., Davis, R., Rockcastle, S. The Impact of Light and Furniture Distribution on Healthy Light Exposure in an Office, Building Simulation 2021, Bruges, Sept. 1-3, 2021.