Occupants’ satisfaction with the visual environment in a single office with individual lighting and solar shading control

A study was conducted in a test room equipped with an external reflecting solar shading system, energy efficient luminaires and a work station. The shading system reduces the illuminance level in the front of the room on days with clear sky and increases the illuminance in the back of the room on days with overcast sky. Measurements at the Danish Building Research Institute identified problems associated with glare caused by redirected light from the shading system. The objective of the study was to investigate the occupants’ satisfaction with the visual environment by using this shading system and by having individual control of luminaire. 11 subjects participated in the study. The results show that the subjects in general are comfortable with the lighting conditions in the room and that they do not feel bothered by glare from the shading system during overcast sky.