Abstract
Windows provide access to daylight and view, both of which have been linked to positive outcomes for occupants, including improved satisfaction, well-being, and performance. However, window access can also cause discomfort and eyestrain from glare. This controlled crossover study tested the occupant impacts of two modern shading systems designed to provide daylight and view while minimizing glare: windows with manually-controlled motorized mesh shades (Mesh Shades) and windows with automatic tinting (Dynamic Tint). Ten participants spent fourteen weeks working in a living lab in which three conditions were non-consecutively repeated for two-week periods: Mesh Shades, Dynamic Tint, and a baseline condition lacking daylight and view (Blackout Shades). Participants' cognitive function performance, satisfaction, and eyestrain in the baseline Blackout Shades condition were compared to the same measures in the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Two aspects of cognitive function performance—Working Memory and Inhibition—improved in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Satisfaction with light as well as with the overall environment improved in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Eyestrain symptoms were reduced in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. There were no statistical differences between settings with Dynamic Tint and motorized Mesh Shades on measures of cognitive function performance, satisfaction, or eyestrain symptoms. This research demonstrates that providing access to daylight and view in an office environment using modern shading methods can improve occupants’ cognitive performance and satisfaction while reducing eyestrain.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 106379 |
| Journal | Building and Environment |
| Volume | 165 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Cognitive function
- Natural light
- Office satisfaction
- Performance
- View quality
- Window access
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Environmental Engineering
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Geography, Planning and Development
- Building and Construction
Cite this
Access to daylight and view in an office improves cognitive performance and satisfaction and reduces eyestrain : A controlled crossover study. / Jamrozik, Anja; Clements, Nicholas; Hasan, Syed Shabih; Zhao, Jie; Zhang, Rongpeng; Campanella, Carolina; Loftness, Vivian; Porter, Paige; Ly, Shaun; Wang, Selena; Bauer, Brent A.
In: Building and Environment, Vol. 165, 106379, 01.11.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Access to daylight and view in an office improves cognitive performance and satisfaction and reduces eyestrain
T2 - A controlled crossover study
AU - Jamrozik, Anja
AU - Clements, Nicholas
AU - Hasan, Syed Shabih
AU - Zhao, Jie
AU - Zhang, Rongpeng
AU - Campanella, Carolina
AU - Loftness, Vivian
AU - Porter, Paige
AU - Ly, Shaun
AU - Wang, Selena
AU - Bauer, Brent A
PY - 2019/11/1
Y1 - 2019/11/1
N2 - Windows provide access to daylight and view, both of which have been linked to positive outcomes for occupants, including improved satisfaction, well-being, and performance. However, window access can also cause discomfort and eyestrain from glare. This controlled crossover study tested the occupant impacts of two modern shading systems designed to provide daylight and view while minimizing glare: windows with manually-controlled motorized mesh shades (Mesh Shades) and windows with automatic tinting (Dynamic Tint). Ten participants spent fourteen weeks working in a living lab in which three conditions were non-consecutively repeated for two-week periods: Mesh Shades, Dynamic Tint, and a baseline condition lacking daylight and view (Blackout Shades). Participants' cognitive function performance, satisfaction, and eyestrain in the baseline Blackout Shades condition were compared to the same measures in the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Two aspects of cognitive function performance—Working Memory and Inhibition—improved in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Satisfaction with light as well as with the overall environment improved in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Eyestrain symptoms were reduced in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. There were no statistical differences between settings with Dynamic Tint and motorized Mesh Shades on measures of cognitive function performance, satisfaction, or eyestrain symptoms. This research demonstrates that providing access to daylight and view in an office environment using modern shading methods can improve occupants’ cognitive performance and satisfaction while reducing eyestrain.
AB - Windows provide access to daylight and view, both of which have been linked to positive outcomes for occupants, including improved satisfaction, well-being, and performance. However, window access can also cause discomfort and eyestrain from glare. This controlled crossover study tested the occupant impacts of two modern shading systems designed to provide daylight and view while minimizing glare: windows with manually-controlled motorized mesh shades (Mesh Shades) and windows with automatic tinting (Dynamic Tint). Ten participants spent fourteen weeks working in a living lab in which three conditions were non-consecutively repeated for two-week periods: Mesh Shades, Dynamic Tint, and a baseline condition lacking daylight and view (Blackout Shades). Participants' cognitive function performance, satisfaction, and eyestrain in the baseline Blackout Shades condition were compared to the same measures in the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Two aspects of cognitive function performance—Working Memory and Inhibition—improved in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Satisfaction with light as well as with the overall environment improved in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. Eyestrain symptoms were reduced in both the Mesh Shades and Dynamic Tint conditions. There were no statistical differences between settings with Dynamic Tint and motorized Mesh Shades on measures of cognitive function performance, satisfaction, or eyestrain symptoms. This research demonstrates that providing access to daylight and view in an office environment using modern shading methods can improve occupants’ cognitive performance and satisfaction while reducing eyestrain.
KW - Cognitive function
KW - Natural light
KW - Office satisfaction
KW - Performance
KW - View quality
KW - Window access
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063890077&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85063890077&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106379
DO - 10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106379
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85063890077
VL - 165
JO - Building and Environment
JF - Building and Environment
SN - 0360-1323
M1 - 106379
ER -