University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines

C.M. Recto Avenue, Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City

Building Utilities 4
(Architectural Lightings)

A Case Study on the Lighting Condition, both Natural and Artificial, of

the USTP Cafeteria

Submitted by:
Bahala, Japheth G.
Lagan, Clark Anthony R.
Lauroza, Joshua John A.

Submitted to:
Ar. Jiffer John L. Taala

March 9, 2020
1. Case Background and Problem Statement
The process of adding light to a feature within a space is delicate, and requires special guidelines
for creating quality, illuminated environments. The overall design and lighting of an object or
space is crucial because “objects in the space receive that ambient light, and acquire a given
brightness by their color and texture as compared with their background. Any additional,
specialized light cast on them alters their luminance and changes their brightness relationships as
perceived against the spatial envelope and among their compositional relationships with objects
nearby” (Michel, 192).

Correlation of Emotions and Light

When architects and designers are creating a space, they must consider the emotional experience
that the viewer is going to have when engaging in that area. “The subject of emotion is one that
architects cannot qualify with the clarity of the psychologist, and yet the architect is responsible
in his art for the creation of the environment” (Phillips, 45). Psychology says that among of all
the senses, sense of sight has the highest intellectual input since it receives so much data such as
the color, brightness, texture, shape, volume, and etc. stimulating many emotions for just one
sense only.
Dining and Lighting
Aside from food, ambience is what the consumers are after if we talk about dining experience
and major contributor to ambience is the overall lighting design. It can make or break the mood
affecting the dining experience. Also, light especially artificial lighting can be use as a
commercial trick to make the buyers buy more since certain lights stimulates appetite.

The USTP Cafeteria

The USTP Cafeteria has been serving the University for 6 years already being the main source of
food inside, catering more or less 10, 000 students. It is located near the University gate, beside
the USTP Engineering Complex. Its design which showcases a “loaf bread” like form embodies
Contemporary Architecture characterize by curve walls going to the roof achieve by bending
aluminum cladding. For its years of service, many problems have arisen such the rainwater
dripping from the curved walls going to the walkway, the discomfort due to heat gain inside and
the most notable one, is the lighting condition inside. Unfortunately, the USTP cafeteria is
dependent to artificial lighting during daytime worsening the heat gain inside.
The pictures above was taken around 10:00 AM in the morning. Generally, the interior was will
lit however, it can be observed that it incorporates both the natural and artificial despite the early
time of the day. Without the aid of artificial lights, lighting condition could be very challenging
inside. This paper discuss the general lighting condition, both the natural and artificial, of the
USTP Cafeteria. It will explore the cause and effects of lighting inside and outside of the
building.

2. Site Analysis
2.1 Vicinity Map

The USTP Cafeteria is located near the university gate beside the USTP Engineering Complex. It
accessible through the covered walkway. It is oriented around 15° west of north, the longer side
facing east-west.

2.2 Solar Orientation

As mentioned , the building was oriented 15° West of North where the longer sides are facing
East and West. Therefore solar exposure is relatively low since the shorter side is the one
exposed to the sun path.

3. Analysis and Discussions

3.1 Natural Daylighting
In the picture above, it shows the dining area which was taken around 10:30 in the morning.
Generally, the area was will lit using by both the natural and artificial lighting. However, if we
take a closer look, the dining area is unfortunately dependent to the artificial lighting above,
natural lighting cannot penetrate to the interior of the building considering it is still 10:00 AM.

Using the same photo, contrast was adjusted and exaggerated to locate the sources of light inside
the dining area. Clearly in the photo, natural daylight cannot penetrate enough therefore artificial
lighting has been aided. The yellow lines are the natural light source inside the cafeteria and the
red are the artificial ones.

On this photo showing the counter side of cafeteria, lighting was overall good with the
combination of both natural and artificial.

On the other side, the height of cafeteria was not enough for natural light to penetrate, even
though large fixed glass walls are provided. Also, another issue for height is the heat gain.
Fenestrations are only found on lower portion of the cafeteria therefore hot air are stacked on the
upper portion of the building worsen with no insulation of roofing and the aluminum cladding
used on the curved walls, creating a mini heat island effect inside.
3.2 Heat Gain
The diagram above shows how the heat accumulates inside the cafeteria and being stacked up
creating heat island effect inside due to the lack of fenestrations. Also, since they use artificial
lighting inside which are mostly CFL and Fluorescent lamps it adds to the heat build up reaching
its peak during noon which is bad since cafeteria was observed to be at peaked during lunch
time.

This figure shows the build up of heat in the dining area of the Cafeteria.

Then the accumulated heat were trapped in upper portion of the building since there is no vent or
any ventilation treatment for the hot air to come out.
3.3 Morning and Afternoon Sun

The diagram above shows the part of the cafeteria covered by the morning sun around 6-8 AM.
Large glass walls were provided to allow the light to penetrate.
On this diagram, showing the afternoon sun penetrating on the west side of the cafeteria which
was treated with the tubular steel lattice and covered walkway.
3.4 Artificial Daylight

The pictures above showing the cafeteria during nighttime. It can be observed that conventional
lighting was generally incorporated which are mostly Compact Flourescent Bulb and T8
Flourescent lamps.
The diagram above shows the artificial lighting inside the cafeteria which was mostly
conventional lighting .

4.Findings

1. The USTP Cafeteria was oriented well about 15° West of North, where the longer sides are
facing East and West. This implies that solar exposure is low since the shorter side is the one
facing the sun path. Also, the cafeteria has taken advantage to the morning sun since the side
facing the East side where provided with large glass walls and doors with a little treatment of
horizontal steel lattice at some parts. It allows the users to enjoy the morning light around 6-8
AM while taking their breakfast. Another good point the Cafeteria had taken was its treatment on
its side facing to West. It is strategically adjacent to the covered walkway to act as a canopy for
the harsh afternoon sun.
2. One major issue of the Cafeteria is the poor ventilation and massive heat gain which were
caused by the following:
a. The heat from the kitchen and food stalls inside cannot circulate well since
fenestrations are only available on the lower portion of the building. Therefore, those
accumulation of heat spreads out all throughout the dining area creating this heat island
inside which causes discomfort while dining which is an unappropriated experience for the
users.
b. The Cafeteria is unfortunately using massive amount of artificial lights during daytime
since natural light cannot penetrate enough. So, this artificial lights, which are mostly
CFL and Fluorescent lamps radiates heat worsening the heat island effect inside.
3.For artificial lighting, conventional lighting was generally used which are composed of 23W
Compact Flourescent Lamp and T8 Flurescent Lamp hanged on steel channels which is only
around 2.7m above the finish floor line. This height installation for a cafeteria creates a shadow
for users while eating and the heat radiates quickly since the distance is that far considering it is
public area. Also, there is no treatment for accent or ambient lighting which is expected for any
dining area, not even the food stall which can be taken advantage to enhance marketability.
5.Conclusions

1. Based on the findings, the orientation of the cafeteria is generally good since it has taken
advantage of the morning sun and has taken necessary treatments to avoid the harsh noon and
afternoon sun. Also, location-wise, the USTP Cafeteria was generally good in terms of proximity
and accessibility since it is near most of the busy buildings and area around the University such
as the covered walkway, Gymnasium, Engineering Complex and the Science Complex. Also,
guest and visitors won’t have hard time accessing since it is near the entry/exit gate.
2. About the heat gain issue, it can be conclude that lack of fenestrations is very evident causing
stacking up of hot air inside. With its “loaf bread” like form, which is clearly an attempt for a
more dynamic air flow the heat emitted from various sources such as the cafeteria, food stalls
and even the users are trapped up all together, creating heat island effect, worsen by the
aluminum cladding for to curved walls, heat are being trapped with no exhaust system or air exit
incorporated to ease the condition.
3. Clearly, conventional lighting was only provided since daylight can’t penetrate enough in the
interior of the cafeteria, with no provisions for accent or ambient lighting which can improve the
general “cafeteria-like” ambience inside.