Natural light and visual comfort in algerian collective housing: insights from a post-occupancy evaluation

Abstract

Natural light is often considered one of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption in buildings, while ensuring the comfort and well-being of occupants and improving the quality of the indoor environment. Natural light allows people to gather visual information about their environment, making it easier to perform visual tasks safely and comfortably. In this context, this study conducted a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to assess occupants' satisfaction with the quality of the lighting environment in their living spaces. The ultimate goal of this study was to assess occupants' satisfaction with the lighting environment, and to evaluate their interaction with natural light in their inhabited spaces. The results show that the majority of occupants express dissatisfaction with natural light, which leads them to rely mainly on artificial lighting. Contributing factors are the size of windows, the limited quality of external views and constraints such as the presence of trees and the need for privacy. This occupant-centred research is consistent with an emerging paradigm that emphasises sustainability, ecology, adaptability and the continuous improvement of occupied spaces. The study highlights the need to rethink residential design to optimise daylighting, with the aim of improving occupant comfort and reducing reliance on artificial lighting.