The Space Between Research and Practice: A Critical Evaluation of Computer-Based Lighting Metrics

Abstract

This thesis identifies and explores computer-based lighting metrics, assessing their effectiveness in evaluating the quality and quantity of daylight to bridge the space between research and practice. Ultimately, this thesis will demonstrate why using singular metrics is not as effective as using several, complementary metrics in expressing the luminous environment. There are many challenges in practice and research- respectively, time or capabilities of a design team and lack of transparency or unrealistic metric criteria. Moreover, each metric- illuminance and luminance, point-in-time and annual- addresses different luminous qualities. It is critical to understand the nuances, as the results and corresponding design recommendations are highly dependent on the metrics used, and each metric carries technical inadequacies and limitations. Aiming to study these challenges and critique the current landscape of computational lighting design, the objectives of this thesis are to: 1) Evaluate computational lighting metrics for their ability to provide an understanding of the luminous environment, and 2) Investigate the capabilities, assumptions, and methods used in computational lighting metrics as they are developed in the research community and used in practice. These objectives are examined with exploratory vignettes. The vignettes elucidate each metric’s strengths, limitations, and assumptions in a clearer, holistic way so that consultants within the field will be more knowledgeable. The outcome is a compendium of information and guidelines to help designers make informed decisions as they relate to selecting appropriate daylight metrics.