Tinted Glass Curtain Wall and its Implications on the Occupants Health Case Study of a Tight Office Building

g in Algiers.
Imane J. Chabane1 and Rafik Bensalem2
Laboratory Architecture and Environment Polytechnic school of architecture and urban design (EPAU), Algiers, Algeria
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imane_chabane@hotmail.com /

lae_epau@wissal.dz
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Presentation plan
Theoretical background Case study Methodology Main results Discussion Conclusion
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Lighting quality considerations

Today, lighting quality is characterized by both Visual and Biopsychological considerations.

The visual consideration affect the view functions and the biopsychological consideration affect the hormonal system.

The human sensitivity to these considerations is different in term of quantity, spectrum, spatial distribution, timing and duration of light exposure.
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Main characteristics distinguishing photobiological from visual sensitivity to light

Visual sensitivity 1. Quantity 2. Spectrum About 500 lux from white light source middle wavelength portion Photobiological sensitivity 1000 to 1500 lux short wavelength portion

3. Timing 4. Duration for activation 5. Spatial distribution 6. Lighting direction

reactive to light differently sensitive to stimulation at any time earlier and later time of day or night. exposure. less than 1 second critical to visual performance horizontal illuminance levels about 10 minutes circadian system does not respond to this factor vertical or retinal illuminance
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Main characteristics distinguishing photobiological from visual sensitivity to light

Visual sensitivity 1. Quantity 2. Spectrum About 500 lux from white light source middle wavelength portion Photobiological sensitivity 1000 to 1500 lux short wavelength portion

3. Timing 4. Duration for activation 5. Spatial distribution 6. Lighting direction

reactive to light differently sensitive to stimulation at any time earlier and later time of day or night. exposure. less than 1 second critical to visual performance horizontal illuminance levels about 10 minutes circadian system does not respond to this factor vertical or retinal illuminance
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Main characteristics distinguishing photobiological from visual sensitivity to light

Visual sensitivity 1. Quantity 2. Spectrum About 500 lux from white light source middle wavelength portion reactive to light stimulation at any time of day or night. less than 1 second critical to visual performance horizontal illuminance levels Photobiological sensitivity 1000 to 1500 lux short wavelength portion differently sensitive to earlier and later time exposure. about 10 minutes circadian system does not respond to this factor vertical or retinal illuminance
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3. Timing 4. Duration for activation 5. Spatial distribution 6. Lighting direction

Main characteristics distinguishing photobiological from visual sensitivity to light

Visual sensitivity 1. Quantity 2. Spectrum About 500 lux from white light source middle wavelength portion Photobiological sensitivity 1000 to 1500 lux short wavelength portion

3. Timing 4. Duration for activation 5. Spatial distribution 6. Lighting direction

reactive to light differently sensitive to stimulation at any time earlier and later time of day or night. exposure. less than 1 second critical to visual performance horizontal illuminance levels about 10 minutes circadian system does not respond to this factor vertical or retinal illuminance
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Main characteristics distinguishing photobiological from visual sensitivity to light

Visual sensitivity 1. Quantity 2. Spectrum About 500 lux from white light source middle wavelength portion Photobiological sensitivity 1000 to 1500 lux short wavelength portion

3. Timing 4. Duration for activation 5. Spatial distribution 6. Lighting direction

reactive to light differently sensitive to stimulation at any time earlier and later time of day or night. exposure. less than 1 second critical to visual performance horizontal illuminance levels about 10 minutes circadian system does not respond to this factor vertical or retinal illuminance
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Main characteristics distinguishing photobiological from visual sensitivity to light

Visual sensitivity 1. Quantity 2. Spectrum About 500 lux from white light source middle wavelength portion Photobiological sensitivity 1000 to 1500 lux short wavelength portion

3. Timing 4. Duration for activation 5. Spatial distribution 6. Lighting direction

reactive to light differently sensitive to stimulation at any time earlier and later time of day or night. exposure. less than 1 second critical to visual performance horizontal illuminance levels about 10 minutes circadian system does not respond to this factor vertical or retinal illuminance
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To fulfil both visual and biopsychological needs, large margin of wavelength, varying during all the day, at different times, for different durations is required

Natural light satisfies these conditions, as the best healthy lighting

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Regulates the activity/rest cycle during a day, avoiding the users strain and tiredness. Influent on mood and well being by its stimulation of the biological hormones (Meltanin & Cortisol).

Source of information about weather and daytime.

Source of daytime or clock notion.

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If the natural light is the healthiest source,

What about the occupants health in tight environments equipped with dark tint glass where :
Invariable environmental conditions affect human alertness level (boredom,
tiredness, reduction in brain skills).

The natural light remains the unique source of sensorial changing

(activity/rest demands).
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Important issue,
considering the growing trend for glassed buildings in Algiers,

We tried to respond to this questioning through a survey in a tight work office equipped with a glass curtain wall.
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The case study

Situation Algiers (Algerian capital), Lat. 36,47 N, Long. 3,03 E. Climate South-Mediterranean climate (more than 250 sunny days/year)

Type of building: Tight glassed office building, controlled by a HVAC system.

Building shape: Composed of 3 blocks (8,9,10floors), with one central courtyard in each block.
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The case study

Space plan: Rectangular shape. Partitioned offices. Peripheral offices with outside view . Central offices with view on the courtyard.
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Buildings envelope Hermetical glass curtain wall. Smoke extractor-windows in each office. Same tinted glass in all faades. Glass units Double glazing system. Interior clear glass + air space + exterior tinted stopsol glass.

0,09 0,09

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Methodology 1.
Direct questionnaire & Illuminance measure
(from 14 July to 10 September, between 9h and 16h)

The lighting environment in term of occupants comfort and satisfaction;

To Assess

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Visual and biopsychological effects.

The sample = 91 respondents occupying peripheral offices

(rates of the offices orientation have been respected)
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In this case study, it can be expected that the natural light is the principal source, inducing a comfortable, healthy and economic lighting environment :

The Mediterranean climate ensuring high rates of natural light

The glass envelope transparency

The shallow character of the offices (depth<2x width)

BUT

Results are oppositely different

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Main Results

1. Natural light is highly insufficient for visual

tasks (82%< 200 lx ; 18% 200 lx).
Natural <200 lx 200 lx 82% 18% Combined 22% 78% Natural light Combined light (northern office)

2. The artificial light is switched on all the day during all the year in more than half of the offices (52%).
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Main Results
Ergonomic in term of quantity
( 78% 200 lx) Natural Combined 22% 78%

3. Combined
light is

<200 lx 200 lx

82% 18%

Not ergonomic in term of quality and space distribution : Glare complaint (53%), View drop (33%), Eyes strain (82%).
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Main Results
good filter for visual privacy. bad filter for sensorial changing needs, especially in northern and western offices, inducing or increasing :
feelings of sadness and enclosure (45% perceive a bad weather most of the time); deficiency in time notion (22%77%); and tiredness (82%).

4. Glass tint is

bad filter for direct sunshine in eastern and southern offices, inducing high rates of heat and glare.
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In resume, the lighting environment in this case study could be considered as :

uncomfortable unhealthy uneconomic

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Discussion
The glass tint cannot ensure several functions at once, and certainly not opposite functions as daylight entrance and direct sunshine block out. The visual privacy and blocking the sunshine rays could be ensured by other devices than glass tint. It should be designed to ensure, in priority, a sufficient amount of natural light for the occupants visual and biopsychological needs. It should be designed so as to save the artificial energy use, particularly in the sunny climates. The cardinal orientation of the building faade must be an important factor in the glass tint design.

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Conclusion
Aesthetical consideration have dominated the functional consideration in the envelope design process. Post-occupancy consequences have to be highly expensive in term of occupants health, their performance and the energy cost. Owners, space designers and managers must be all concerned, especially when the natural light is a free wealth in Mediterranean climate.
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Thank you for your attention

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