Users’ experiences of lighting controls: a case-study

van Someren, K. L., Beaman, C. P. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5124-242X and Shao, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1544-7548 (2018) Users’ experiences of lighting controls: a case-study. Lighting Research & Technology, 50 (7). pp. 1091-1106. ISSN 1477-1535 doi: 10.1177/1477153517709063

Abstract/Summary

The aim of this paper is to elucidate how occupants perceive their lit environments in a university setting and how they interact with lighting controls using qualitative methods. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with academic teaching and research staff. Thematic analysis identified four main themes: control and choice, connection with the outdoors, concentration, and comfort. Participants were largely able to control and adapt their lighting using small power lighting in office spaces and they perceived this as beneficial to comfort and concentration. Participants expressed frustration with the light switches in classrooms, a lack of consistency in lighting controls across the university buildings was particularly notable. Installers should consider how piecemeal upgrades on large estates affect the perception of buildings where occupiers face multiple control systems. The management of the lighting in classroom spaces including the type and location of blinds, lack of regular window cleaning in some buildings and difficulty in minimising light on projection screens in upgraded classrooms were cited as areas for improvement. Wider implications for lighting control and management highlighted by this study include most notably that a lack of end users consultation has serious consequences on their perception of lighting upgrades and their willingness to employ “workarounds”.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/70087
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Psychology Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Language and Cognition Science > School of the Built Environment > Energy and Environmental Engineering group
Publisher	Sage
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item