School of Art, Design and Architecture

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Browsing School of Art, Design and Architecture by Author "Abdelwahab, Sahar"

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    Daylighting through Electrochromic Glazing under Overcast Skies: Impacts on Visual Task Performance and Perception
    (Taylor and Francis, 2024-06-21) Abdelwahab, Sahar; Altomonte, Sergio
    Electrochromic (EC) glazing allows modulating the intensity of visual and solar transmission by dynamically switching between bleached (clear) and tinted (coloured) states, leading to changes in spectral power distribution (SPD), correlated colour temperature (CCT), and illuminance of the incoming daylight. In this experimental study, we investigated the impact of spectral composition of daylight filtered through a 6-pane EC façade on visual task performance and visual perception. In a semi-controlled test room, nineteen subjects were exposed to five setting scenarios of the EC façade (fully bleached, mixed setting after fully bleached, fully tinted, mixed setting after fully tinted, and user-controlled). Test subjects performed a series of visual tasks, and their assessments of the indoor environment and of the outside view were collected along with luminous and spectral measurements under each condition. The analysis provided statistical evidence that the changes in spectral composition of daylight do not have a practically relevant effect on visual task performance in terms of visual acuity and colour naming accuracy. However, the daylight filtered through the fully tinted glazing had a substantive impact on visual perception, evoking negative responses to the colour rendering of the indoor environment and of the outside view. A mixed settings of the EC façade could improve a natural assessment of the incoming light compared to the fully tinted state, achieving better ratings in terms of perception of the indoor and outdoor environments. When given control of the EC glazing, subjects expressed higher acceptance and satisfaction compared to the tinted and mixed scenarios.
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    Labor Camps in Dubai: Implications of Courtyard Regulations on Daylight Performance
    (Emerald, 2024-03-26) Abdelwahab, Sahar; Sheta, Wael; El Hussainy, Marimam
    Purpose The fundamental aim of the study is to investigate the implications of labor housing designs in Dubai, with a focus on courtyards and the governing building regulations, on daylight performance as an underlying factor impacting laborers’ indoor environmental quality. Several studies shed light on the subject of labor camps and labor migration in Dubai, but few have focused on the subject from the perspective of the environmental performance of these camps. A model that represents one of the labor camps was built using Rhinoceros 7.0 and Grasshopper software packages. Annual daylighting and glare simulations were carried out using the lighting modeling engine RADIANCE 5.0 in conjunction with the “ClimateStudio”. Design/methodology/approach The construction sector has emerged as a significant economic development driver, attracting a diverse labor force from a variety of countries to Dubai. As a result, Dubai authorities have implemented several measures to ensure the provision of suitable housing facilities for its labor force. These measures contribute to the reduction of energy costs in labor housing by encouraging the use of renewable energy. While several studies shed light on the subject of labor camps and labor migration in Dubai, few have focused on the subject from the perspective of the environmental performance of these camps. Findings The study provided statistical evidence that the current regulations governing courtyards in labor housing resulted in significant changes in daylight levels across different floor levels of the labor housing units. It is suggested that both 2:3 and 3:4 Court Width-to-Height ratios would further contribute to a more consistent daylight Illuminance with marginal statistical differences between floor levels (p > 0.05). The 3:4 ratio, on the other hand, offers a consistent distribution across all floor levels in the North and South with negligible variances, although weakly significant differences can be yet expected between the first and fourth floors in the East and West orientations (p < 0.05). The results of Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE) suggest excessive solar incidence and a high probability of glare, which remains a problem that must be addressed under the governing building regulations. Originality/value This study could serve as a framework for analyzing and contrasting the findings of other studies on labor accommodation, notably in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Such an approach has the potential to enhance living conditions in labor accommodations in Dubai and other areas. It is necessary to meet people' physical and psychological well-being while also addressing sustainability and regulatory compliance
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    Man and Place: Creative Design Transformations
    (Springer, 2024-05-11) Abdelwahab, Sahar; Hanafy, Dalai; Mayhoub, Mohammed; Labib, Rania
    Lighting research has recently seen an increase in interest in the invisible effects of lighting on human performance, health, and well-being. In this paper, a systematic literature review was conducted to gather research evidence on the non-visual effects of lighting on the elderly in terms of sleep, mood, and alertness. This study aims to investigate the lighting scenarios that have previously been tested on older adults and identify the most effective lighting scenarios that improve elderly sleep, mood, and alertness. The literature review included 24 studies with widely disparate results. Dynamic lighting scenarios and lighting interventions tailored to affect the circadian system (CS) seem to be the most effective in improving sleep and mood for older adults. On the other hand, the effect of lighting on the alertness of the elderly is still not fully understood due to a lack of relevant research. The review offers suggestions and recommendations for lighting scenarios for the elderly based on research-evidence-based criteria and strategies. It is recommended to intensify future research in this emerging field to develop specific and precise standards that can be used to create an environment that satisfies the elderly’s non-visual needs.