Research
Our research is generously supported by a number of sources, such as the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education and the Oregon Partnership for Alzheimer's Research. The main topics that our research focuses on include:
the relation between the natural and built environment and indoor light and visual conditions
How do new glazing technologies, façade layouts, building geometries, urbanization, or climate change affect our indoor light and visual conditions? How can we modify our windows, buildings, or cities to produce the desired indoor light and visual conditions?
We use numerical modeling or physical measurements to understand these relations. We develop, improve, or validate tools and methods to predict them. We investigate strategies or technologies to optimize them.
selected project
Validation of spectral simulation tools in the context of ipRGC-influenced light responses of building occupants.
Spectral simulation workflows offer a high potential in evaluating building occupants' ipRGC-influenced light (IIL) responses in a prospective way (e.g., in predicting what may be the most impactful design decisions when it comes to affecting such responses). In view of the relative novelty of research in this area, only a few simulation tools are available but have not been validated yet. This study compared laboratory measurements to simulation outputs to determine whether we can rely on spectral simulation tools (i.e., ALFA and Lark) to evaluate building occupants' IIL responses and guide the design process. The results indicate that Lark outperforms ALFA in most cases and shows a simulation error in the ±20% range for point-in-time indicators.
the relation between indoor light and visual conditions and building occupants
How does our light exposure affect our physical and mental health, as well as our comfort? How do window views affect our cognitive performance and mental health? What are the optimal indoor light and visual conditions in daylit spaces to enhance people's health, well-being, and performance? How does building occupants' behavior impact indoor light and visual conditions?
We rely on experimental and observational studies to understand these relations. We develop, improve, or validate models and metrics to quantify them. We investigate strategies or technologies to optimize them.
selected project
Influence of the socio-environmental context on discomfort due to glare from daylight
To harvest the benefits of daylight indoors, there is a need to predict discomfort from daylight glare. While more than 20 models for predicting discomfort from daylight glare have been developed, none accurately do it. The inclusion of additional factors in the models may improve the predictions. One such factor is the socio-environmental context of the observer. This study compared the evaluation of discomfort from daylight glare of building occupants in four socio-environmental contexts: Chile, Belgium, Japan, and Switzerland. The results do not show evidence of an influence of socio-environmental context on discomfort from daylight glare.
the relation between energy consumption and the building occupants or the natural and built environment
How will our lighting energy consumption evolve in the future, given that our access to daylight is likely to change with urbanization and climate change? What is the energy efficiency (including embodied and operational energy) of alternative daylighting technologies? How do we maintain the visual comfort of building occupants to reduce their impact on the building energy consumption?
We use numerical modeling and measurements as well as experimental and observational studies to understand these relations. We develop, improve, or validate models and methods to estimate them. We investigate strategies or technologies to optimize them.
Our research is rooted in architectural engineering and lighting science but has a large interdisciplinary component to it. To study those relations, we rely on and interact with the fields of engineering, architecture, chronobiology, computer science, urban planning, neuroscience, psychophysics, and public health.
