Effects of real-time simulation feedback on design for visual comfort

Abstract

Building performance simulations and models of human visual comfort allow us to predict daylight-caused glare using digital building models and climate data. Unfortunately, the simulation tools currently available cannot produce results fast enough for interactive use during design ideation. We developed software with the ability to predict visual discomfort in real time. However, we know little about how users react to simulation feedback presented in real time. In our study, 40 subjects with backgrounds in building design and technology completed two shading design exercises to balance glare reduction and annual daylight availability in two open office arrangements using two simulation tools with differing system response times. Subjects with access to real-time simulation feedback tested more design options, reported higher confidence in design performance and increased satisfaction with the design task, and produced better-performing final designs with respect to spatial daylight autonomy and enhanced simplified daylight glare probability.

Keywords:

• daylighting
• visual comfort
• glare
• simulation
• real time
• user behaviour
• human–computer interaction
• design

Acknowledgements

The Tesla K40 accelerators used for this research were donated by the NVIDIA Corporation. Jon Sargent developed the Grasshopper components that allowed interactivity between Rhinoceros and AcceleradRT. The authors thank Philip Thompson for his technical support of the user study and Les Norford for providing space.

ORCID

Nathaniel Jones http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0041-1593

Christoph F. Reinhart http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6311-0416