Covid-19 Pandemic: Strategies to Improve Daylighting and Visual Comfort for Building Occupants

ABSTRACT

Sufficient lighting has a substantial impact on the health, comfort, and performance of building occupants. Researchers frequently focus on daylighting for its psychological, physiological, and economic benefits to human well-being. However, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that these wellness considerations are no longer optional features of a building, but rather a necessary component of providing a comfortable and healthy living environment. Everyone must adhere to the stay-at-home order to mitigate pandemic transmission. This study aims to review the literature and recommends strategies that will improve building occupants’ daylighting and visual comfort. For the review, this study identified 41 peer-reviewed journal articles using a keyword search followed by a filter based on SCOPUS and Web of Science inclusion criteria. However, once the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, only 31 papers were chosen for evaluation. Thematic analysis of these 31 publications revealed eight tentative criteria for effective daylighting in buildings, categorised into three clusters passive design, active design, and projected ideal daylighting based on daylight simulation tests. The results demonstrate that a passive design strategy provides improved illumination and is a more cost-effective way to achieve appropriate daylight and visual comfort in a facility. Despite its limitations, the study recommends the hybrid technique of passive and active design as a helpful experimental tool for future research targeted to increase the interior environment’s quality. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.