Évaluation de la qualité lumineuse d'un environnement de travail éclairé naturellement

by Cantin, François

This research aims to develop a methodology for the assessment of daylight quality in individual office spaces. The proposed methodology is based on performance indicators related to illuminance, distribution (variability) , glare and directivity. The calculations are performed with the Radiance Lighting Simulation System for a South-West and a North-West oriented office located on the fifth floor of the Caisse de dépôt et placement (CDP) in Montreal. The daylight conditions of these offices are studied under a series of clear skies and an overcast sky.

The selected indicators for the assessment of daylight quality are the vector/scalar illuminance ratio, the altitude of illuminance vector, the luminance difference index (LD index), the useful daylight illuminance (UDI) and the size of sunlight patches. The literature encourages the researcher to use advanced indicators like these in order to go beyond a simple study of horizontal illuminance and to deepen the analysis of luminous environment.

The results allow a detailed performance assessment for each office. Furthermore, the analysis of the results underline the complementarity of the indicators, i.e., the necessity to compare them to adequately assess daylight quality. Finally, polar diagrams are used to synthesize the results. This graphical approach introduces a useful method to represent luminous ambiances.