There have been unsubstantiatedclaims that daylighting benefits the health,
satisfaction, and even productivity of humans.Both daylightingprototypes
were designed to improve comfort as well as increase energ y-efficiency.With
this research, we beg an the process of quantifying the qualitative benefits of
dynamic andlight-redirecting window/lighting systems using simulationtools,
reduced-scalefield tests,andfull-scaledemonstrations. Some of our arguments
for qualityimprovements comparedto conventional systems were madebased
on meeting well-known design constraints,thresholds setby experimentalfield
data (e.g., glare or thermal comfort indices), or industry guidelines (e.g., IES
RP-1 for visualcomfort). These methods only partiallydescribe the fitness of a
design solution to meet qualitativecriteria becausea) daylighting is constantly
changing with solar position and sky conditions and b) one's complete experi-
ence of thedaylitenvironment cannotalwaysbe reduced to"measurable"terms.
Indeed, we found our understanding and evaluation methods of human fac-
tors most enriched by our full-scale demonstrations.

For example, we demonstrated light-redirecting concepts at the Palm Springs
Chamber of Commerce and took simple lighting spot measurements on site to
confirm that design criteria were met.Direct experience with the daylit space
was ultimately more compelling.Occupants spoke of the visual interest, the
unique connection to the outdoors conveyed by the passive skylight system,
and the bright or soft mood created by the color and intensity of daylight.A
lighting designer, however, was not pleased with the system saying that the
bright patches of daylight on the ceiling contradicted (electric) lighting stan-
dards which require shieldingof bright luminous sources.

This raises the issue of the extent to which standards set for electric lig hting
quality can be applied to daylight.Prior studies suggest that occupants are
more tolerant of glare from windows because the lighting source is accompa-
nied by a view.For dynamic window|lightingsystems, will users find the
improved control in daylight intensity "unnatural" and less desirable despite
its benefits in controlling g lare? Would the provision of user-operatedcontrols
cause the dynamic system to be more acceptable?Long-term human factors
studies with a sufficient sample size are necessary to better understand the
basic underlyingconcepts of occupant response to daylightingsystems.In
addition, full-scale demonstrations play an important part in assessingthe
market acceptanceof new technological solutions.