Human Factors and Architectural Research Methods: Architecture 407/507https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/18992024-03-29T10:45:59Z2024-03-29T10:45:59ZDaylight, manual sunshade use and occupant-centric circadian lighting stimulus in an open officePici, NicoPieper, Jordanhttps://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/252042020-02-27T08:27:12Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZDaylight, manual sunshade use and occupant-centric circadian lighting stimulus in an open office
Pici, Nico; Pieper, Jordan
Daylight is essential to human productivity. It has been shown that if we do not receive
enough daylight, our health and well-being is negatively affected. However, an overabundance of daylight
into the indoors can make performing with computer-based visual tasks difficult and uncomfortable due to
glare. This study is a collaboration with SRG Partnership, an Architecture firm in Portland, OR, to analyze
their own workspace in determining optimal amounts of daylight as an occupant-centric circadian resource
in the office. The historic office space has large south-east-facing windows that can be a source of glare,
which negatively affects productivity, and are controlled manually with motorized shades. Participating
occupants were given a wearable light sensor to track the light levels received throughout the day over the
course of one work week. Sunshade use was also monitored and recorded.
9 pages
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZComparison of Occupant-Centric daylighting levels in windows for affordable housing in Portland, OR.Rager, BentleyMartin, Katherinehttps://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/252032020-02-27T08:27:11Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZComparison of Occupant-Centric daylighting levels in windows for affordable housing in Portland, OR.
Rager, Bentley; Martin, Katherine
This paper presents the results conducted from observing shade configurations and daylighting levels
within an affordable housing bedroom unit. We conducted mainly qualitative data as the residents of the 82nd and
Orchard building declined to participate in our study. Our quantitative data considered shade configuration, collected
over a three-day period, and daylight factor using a physical model with photometric sensors. The results were
compared to actual resident shade use over the course of the day to determine if a clerestory window outperforms a
standard view glazing unit.
11 pages
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZLighting and the indoor microbiome: measuring the effect of LED lighting on E.coliNaganuma, LindseyWimer, Isaachttps://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/252022020-02-27T08:27:11Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZLighting and the indoor microbiome: measuring the effect of LED lighting on E.coli
Naganuma, Lindsey; Wimer, Isaac
The more we learn about natural light’s direct correlation to microbiology and its ability to regulate
the production and growth of bacteria, the more the topic brings into question the effect electric light has on
indoor microbiomes of the built environment. This research study specifically looks at the effects of different
LED light spectrum wavelengths and their effect on Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacteria growth. Three residential
LED lamps were used to expose plated E.coli to a range in spectrum of three different controlled LED lighting
systems, as well as daylighting and their individual effects on the growth of E.coli over the course of 48 hours.
The results indicated that LED lighting with high levels of orange and blue light were equally more effective at
reducing the viability of E.coli colonies than the daylight levels during the study. Then those results were
compared to the light spectrum readings of different artificially light spaces in the Scott Edwards Architecture
office.
10 pages
2019-01-01T00:00:00ZClearing the air: impacts of plants on air particulates in passive ventilationBraun, EliseCooper, ThomasSurguine, Marsiehttps://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/handle/1794/252012020-02-27T08:27:07Z2019-01-01T00:00:00ZClearing the air: impacts of plants on air particulates in passive ventilation
Braun, Elise; Cooper, Thomas; Surguine, Marsie
The presence of air contaminants, such as fine particulate matter generated by transportation and other outdoor sources is linked to adverse effects on human health such as asthma, headaches, and irritation in the eyes (Kluizenaar, et al. 2016). To improve the health and wellbeing of its employees and inform its professional practice, the architecture firm Opsis engaged with University of Oregon architecture students to study the presence and low-cost interventions to reduce air contaminants in their passively ventilated office space. The study consisted of a multi-phased experiment in the open office, testing the effect of plants on air particulates derived from outdoor sources measured at PM2.5 and PM10. The objectives of the study were to determine if there was a reduction in the number of air particulate levels measured after the intervention of plants. However, our experiments showed that plants were not able to significantly reduce particle counts through natural ventilation. Our data did support that increasing the plant density for the Sanseveria robusta (Snake plants), as well as combining both the Sanseveria robusta (Snake plants) and the Dracaena Marginata Colorama (Dracena) together, did have a slight impact on particle count reduction. The study also revealed other findings. One finding is that interior pollutants were more prevalent than exterior pollutants, indicating interior sources of pollutants and the recommendation for future testing to location the interior sources. Data collected from the exterior alludes to wind direction playing a role in the intake of outdoor pollutants into the indoors, but further study, especially by season, is recommended. In a lab test, moistening plants reduced particle counts more than dry plants, but scalability and practicality at an office scale is questionable. Overall, the data shows the average particulate counts are within acceptable EPA ranges. But, research literature indicates limits may not be low enough as health is impacted at levels lower than EPA limits. A final take-away is that we should continue to explore ways to improve outdoor air quality.
23 pages
2019-01-01T00:00:00Z