Proceedings of: Workshop on Improving Building Design for Persons with Low Vision
Panel 3: Impacts on Vision – Glare, Contrast, Color (Gregory Knoop, AIA, Moderator)
Note: Transcripts for this Panel were not available. These edited Proceedings are based on notes by JEW and TOS)
Robert Dale Lynch, FAIA. Architectural Expert and Consultant
Introduction
An Architect’s Perspective (slide 1).
Adhere to the “Principles of Universal Design” (the actual principles were not described).
Design Issues: Architectural Context and Considerations
Slowness to Adjust to Changes in Lighting Levels (slide 2).
Obstruction of View Due to Glare (slide 3).
Visual Confusion Due to Lack of Contrast in Color & Value (slide 4).
Wayfinding Disorientation (slide 5).
Safety Considerations (slide 6).
Difficulty in Operating Controls (slide 7).
Performance Impaired by Lack of Visual Acuity (slide 8).
Frederick Krimgold, Ph.D., Director, Disaster Risk Management Program, Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute – National Capitol Region
Frederick Krimgold, Ph.D., Director, Disaster Risk Management Program, Virginia Tech Advanced Research Institute – National Capitol Region
Introduction
A Low Vision View (slide 1).
Indoor and Outdoor Environment as seen with Low Vision.
Steps and Stairs (slides 2 – 4)
Lighting.
Lack of Contrast
Distracting Pattern.
Wayfinding and Signage (slides 5 - 10)
Lighting.
Size.
Context.
Contrast.
Controls (slides 11 - 13)
Timely Visibility.
Position.
Lighting.
Humiliation (slides 14 – 15)
Black on black.
Mariana Figueiro, Ph.D., Program Director, Assistant Professor, The Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Introduction
24-hr Lighting Schemes for Older Adults and Persons with Low Vision (slide 1).
Why is light so important? (slide 2).
The Visual System (slide 3).
The Perceptual System (slide 4).
The Circadian System (slides 5 and 6).
Light and the aging visual system (slide 7)
Lighting for Older Adults “Putting it all together” (slide 8)
Aging perceptual system (slide 9)
Light and the aging perceptual system (slide 10)
Left/right weight symmetry (slide 11).
Sway Velocity (slide 12).
Aging circadian system (slide 13)
Light and the aging circadian system
Percentage of time subjects were found asleep under two lighting conditions (slides 14 and 15).
Average light/dark ratio before and after intervention (slide 16).
Photos of room with proposed 24 hour lighting solution (slide 17).
Summary (slide 18)
Light isn’t just for vision anymore
Light touches every aspect of our lives
Much of the information we gather from the environment is through the retina
Architects can incorporate scientific findings into their design now
Integration (circadian, visual, perceptual, aesthetic) is needed and qualitative solutions (e.g., daylight, high CCT, bright or dim light) aren’t good enough
Mary Ann Hay, IALD, LEED AP, Vice President, Director, Architectural Lighting Design, Syska Hennessy Group, Inc.
Glare
Sources of Glare (slide 2)
Poorly Shielded light sources.
Exposed lamps.
Light reflecting from highly reflective surfaces.
Windows.
Skylights.
Disability Glare (slide 3)
Definition: The reduction in visibility caused by intense light sources in the field of view.
Sources of Disability Glare:
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Created by light being scattered in the eye.
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Unshielded artificial light sources.
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Light reflecting from highly reflective surfaces.
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Unshielded sources of natural illumination.
Discomfort Glare (slide 4)
Definition: A sensation of irritation or pain from high luminances in the field of view
Sources of Discomfort Glare:
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High luminance sources.
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Large area light sources (natural & artificial).
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Light sources that are close to the line of sight.
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Bright sources placed against a dark background.
Contrast (slide 5)
Definition: Visual task requires some combination of light & dark areas that human visual system must discern in order to see it.
Definition of Color Contrast: The difference in perceived color between a task & its background.
Factors that Influence Color (slides 6 and 7)
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"Color" of the light source (color T˚).
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Color rendering characteristics of light source (CRI).
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Color contrast.
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Color appearance of skin tones.
Summary: Lighting Design Considerations (slide 8)
Provide shielded sources of illumination.
Control glare from daylight sources.
Consider opportunities for task lighting.
Provide high color rendition light sources.
Evaluate color temperature of light source within environment.
Open Discussion (Panel 3)
(Note: Transcripts for this Panel were not available. These edited Proceedings are based on notes by JEW and TOS)
Issue 5: Can a new chapter be written with a structure for PBS P100 that is performance based and does not disaggregate lighting design by professional disciplines (i.e., integrates subject matter in Chapters 2, 3, 5, and 6)?
Comments by [Participants]: Criteria should be based on measurable psychosocial and psychophysiological metrics (i.e., parameters and values).
Color separation in signal lighting is a critical criterion.
Contrast and color contrast may have priority of illuminance.
Prescriptive and performance subsections should be considered.
Issue 6: Is there a metric for the ratio of scotopic/photopic interactions?
Question by [Participant]: Are glare and contrast parameters synonymous for design and optometric use? (This question may lead to a major gap in scientific information.)
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