User lighting preferences based on navigation and space quality in virtual exhibition environments

Abstract

Just as any other interior environment, lighting of exhibition spaces must be examined to enhance its visual quality and comfort. In this study, user behaviour, perception and impressions are analyzed for more comprehensive understanding by including subjective reasoning. Due to the chaotic progress and contradictory choices in exhibition lighting, daylight is mostly avoided while the role of users and relation between quantitative and qualitative parameters are often neglected. A series of sample exhibition spaces illuminated either artificially or by daylight are modelled virtually in Lumion software to be evaluated in a three-step questionnaire. A total of 90 participants are selected from three different professions (architects, visitors, artists), their reaction like movement, preference and impressions are gathered via questionnaire while moving through the model. The study aims to find out the role of lighting type in exhibition navigation and its relation with non-lighting parameters using statistical analysis methods. Results show that natural light is preferred more in sculpture exhibition while artificial light is preferred in painting exhibition. Movement towards daylight increases in transition areas and towards the end of the exhibition. A significant difference in navigation choices are found between professions, architects preferred to move towards more natural light while artists preferred artificial light.