Lumière et Vue sur l’extérieure : Impact de la fenêtre sur la qualité visuelle pour les usagers des espaces des bureaux. Cas des bâtiments de bureaux dans la ville de Biskra.

SFAKSI, Imene (2023) Lumière et Vue sur l’extérieure : Impact de la fenêtre sur la qualité visuelle pour les usagers des espaces des bureaux. Cas des bâtiments de bureaux dans la ville de Biskra. Doctoral thesis, Faculté des Sciences et de la technologie.

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Abstract

In the context of workplace environments, windows play a pivotal role, impacting both the physiological and psychological aspects of occupants' well-being. Natural light and external views are highly sought after, as they stimulate the visual system, reduce eye fatigue, enhance mental health, and boost productivity. However, they can also introduce visual discomfort, such as glare, which can disrupt work. Over time, window design has evolved under the influence of various factors, including technological advancements, new construction techniques, and architectural trends. Nevertheless, these developments have sometimes overlooked environmental and contextual considerations, jeopardizing user satisfaction. In Algeria, this trend of prioritizing modern designs without considering climatic conditions and user preferences is also evident. Particularly in Biskra, a city located in a hot and arid zone, extreme climatic conditions present an additional challenge. The city witnesses a proliferation of modern office buildings characterized by large openings. This situation raises questions about how to effectively manage parameters related to natural light and external views while considering the complex interactions between users and their environment, necessitating meticulous window design planning. As a result, the main objective of the study is to scientifically explore the impact of the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) on the quantity of natural light and the quality of external views in office environments exposed to hot and arid climatic conditions. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate how these parameters influence the satisfaction of office users, contributing to a deeper understanding of this complex relationship. This is aimed at determining the factors that influence favorable and unfavorable user responses. To comprehensively address this issue, our research approach relies on a multidisciplinary methodology based on Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE), which we find suitable for our study. The study begins with an empirical approach by analyzing 10 office buildings in Biskra to understand their context and the influence of window-to-wall ratios on visual quality and to select appropriate case studies. It collects architectural data and conducts site visits to study this impact, alongside a survey of users to assess their satisfaction levels. Subsequently, a numerical approach is employed, using software such as Radiance and Design Builder for simulations and SPSS for qualitative analysis. This analytical phase focuses on the visual impact of window-to-wall ratios, based on the results of the empirical approach. IV The results highlight the importance of window design, including size, position, and control capability, in occupant satisfaction regarding natural light and external views. Furthermore, occupant preferences for brightness and external views vary considerably, underscoring the importance of considering individual diversity in window design.

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