What are some design strategies for creating visual comfort?
Designing spaces for visual comfort is in part practical, in part aesthetic, and includes artificial lighting, day lighting, and the creation of visually interesting environments. There are a number of lighting strategies that you can employ to create a high quality visual environment. Some recommendations are: • Provide lighting controls that optimize the balance between day lighting and artificial lighting. • You can increase the perceived space brightness by lighting vertical surfaces—one idea is the use of sconces. • Balance the quantity of light with the quality of light in all work areas, in other words carefully plan the placement of lighting fixtures. • Control ceiling lighting glare and provide user-controlled task lighting at workstations. • Remember lighting needs change over time, so design lighting with flexibility in mind. Whenever possible integrate natural lighting into your plans. Studies have shown that natural lighting affects people’s mood and as well as their comfo
