Effects of glazing colour type on perception of daylight quality, arousal, and switch-on patterns of electric light in office rooms

A study is presented about the effects of three glazing colour types (blue, neutral, bronze) on daylight quality, arousal and switch-on patterns for electric lights. This study was carried out using a scale model (1:4) of an office room, where subjective evaluations of the luminous conditions were performed by 36 participants (mean age 23.8 years) with their upper bodies immersed in the model. The evaluations were achieved using questionnaires designed to assess five light quality factors: 1) visual comfort; 2) naturality; 3) pleasantness; 4) precision (of details and textures) and 5) light level. Mixed model analyses of the questions revealed significant higher scores for pleasantness (p = 0.003) comfort (p = 0.015) and light level (p = 0.044) for the bronze glazing type compared to the blue and neutral glazing, confirming results of earlier studies. Results from a paired t-test on the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS) scores indicated that the level of self-reported arousal decreased in presence of the blue glazing. However, the analysis did not reveal significant results regarding switch-on patterns of electric lights. Overall, the study shows that there is a preference for daylight filtered through bronze window glazing and that the glazing colour type may have a significant effect on arousal level of office workers.

► Blue, bronze, and neutral glazing were tested by participants using a scale model.
► Subjective evaluations were obtained with oral and written questionnaires.
► Bronze glazing seems was preferred by the occupants according to the results.
► Participant's level of arousal was slightly inferior when the blue glazing was in use.