Delightful Daylighting: A Framework for Describing the Experience of Daylighting in Nordic Homes and Coupling It with Quantitative Assessments

Abstract

In this conceptual article we propose a framework for describing the experience of delightful daylighting in Nordic homes and a method to correlate it with an existing quantitative daylighting assessment. In contrast to earlier research on daylighting, the present work gives priority to developing the methodology for researching the experience of the inhabitant in a real situation and relying the quantitative assessment on an existing method. In this way, we shift the focus of daylight studies from quantitative evaluations towards qualitative descriptions of the human experience of daylight. The framework enables future research that can broaden the way the experience of daylighting is described and to see if the quantitative assessment according to the standard EN 17037:2018 Daylighting in buildings correlates with these descriptions. Firstly, the current state of research on subjective daylight preferences and daylight assessment is reviewed. Secondly, a novel method, the long-term spatial interview, is introduced. The aim of the method is to describe a long-term experience of a spatial phenomenon, in this case, delightful daylighting of Nordic homes, through a phenomenological perspective and enable localisation of the qualitative research results. Finally, the use of the existing EN-standard as a tool to quantitatively describe the daylight situation of spaces is explained and a correlation analysis of the quantitative and qualitative results is explicated. Future research based on the framework can provide useful information for designers aiming at creating delightful daylighting experiences in Nordic homes.

Influence of Simulated Natural Light on Mood and Well-being Case study at Obos Living Lab, Oslo, Norway

“…A recent study concerning the perception of daylight from a qualitative perspective highlighted the importance of such assessment since most studies focus on the light's functionality, performance, and efficiency and neglect the human experience. Also, it demonstrated that only 7% of the studies were conducted on residential spaces, and another 2% were in higher latitudes than 60°N (Vikberg et al, 2022). As a result, it excludes the Nordic population that could potentially benefit from technologies such as sunlight simulators.…”