VISUAL COMFORT FOR LIVING SPACE BETWEEN QUALITY AND AMOUNT OF NATURAL LIGHT

Natural light is certainly the discriminated factor in determining the quality of living space, which differs whether it is "properly illuminated" or not. The amount of natural light inside the rooms, in fact, directly and indirectly influences the quality of the activities carried out by the occupants. In addition to determining the proper performance of a certain visual task, it is also responsible for the psychophysical balance of humans, as well as the wake/sleep cycles of the circadian rhythm. Natural light, unlike the artificial one, is not controllable by the a priori designer and is subject to continual changes depending on weather and weather conditions in the outskirts. This study has the claim to demonstrate that architectural design of the building enclosure, studied ad hoc to promote maximum visual comfort within an environment, can create spaces that respect the minimum requirements sought without creating any thermal imbalances or "overexposures" that cause dazzling phenomena for the occupants. The discussion will in particular demonstrate how the arrangement of the glazed elements, their shape, the choice of their location, after describing the technological and physical characteristics of the transparent materials presently on the market, can create situations of comfort or discomfort in the same visual environment.