Study on the Relationship Between Window Specifications and Occupants' Assessment of Light and Visual Environment in Japanese Housing

A questionnaire survey on window specifications and room impressions was conducted with the aim of proposing a method for evaluating the performance and function of the light and visual environment provided by the presence of windows in Japanese housing. The results of the factor analysis of the questionnaire survey revealed that the occupants' evaluations can be categorized into daylighting satisfaction, viewability, light/dark difference in the room and openness. The correlation between window specifications and questionnaire results indicated that lighting satisfaction could be estimated using relatively straightforward inputs, such as the degree of sky visibility and the absolute window area.