Investigation of Illuminance Levels of Classrooms on Different Storey with or without Artificial Lighting

Abstract

Integrated lighting design is significant in terms of support energy performance and users visual comfort without expensive energy cost and comfortable environment in buildings illuminated by daylight. This study examines the illuminance levels of two chosen classrooms in the Department of Architecture at Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University. Both classrooms were oriented in north direction, and one of them is one storey above of the other one. The purpose of the study is to determine the lighting performance of classrooms with or without the utilization of artificial lighting. Illuminance levels were measured at certain points by a luxmeter at three different times of the day for five weeks duration. After, average illuminance levels were determined for both classrooms and these illuminance levels were evaluated based on lighting standards. Chosen classrooms were examined regarding their illuminance levels. Measurement results show that the illuminance values in D205 classroom on the first floor was slightly higher than the D105 classroom on the ground floor. Based on the measurements, it was realized that the highest illuminance values were generally at midday (1386 lux at D205) and the lowest illuminance values were in the morning (64 lux at D105). The study will contribute to the formation of a preliminary idea about the lighting performances in the classrooms of architects and architecture students.