Impact of patterned chromatic glazing on colour perception: A comprehensive approach

Abstract

Chromatic glazing is widely used in modern office spaces globally, influencing the spectral characteristics of light and altering the indoor luminous environment. This change can affect how occupants perceive colours. The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) recommends using various colour quality metrics to evaluate light quality. However, the effectiveness of these metrics in predicting colour quality, especially with chromatic glazing, lacks empirical validation. To address this, a colour perception experiment was conducted under simulated daylight conditions, testing various chromatic film-covered glazing types. The study aimed to correlate subjective colour quality assessments with predictions from colour quality metrics, such as the colour rendering index (CRI), colour quality scale (Qa), gamut area scale (Qg), and gamut area index (GAI). The experiment used seven simulated daylight conditions with different chromatic patterned glazing, labelled as 100 % Blue, 70 % Blue, 30 % Blue, 100 % Bronze, 70 % Bronze, and 30 % Bronze, evaluated in a test room replicating office conditions. The results showed that patterned chromatic glazing (30 % bronze) performed better in perceived colour quality than clear glazing or non-patterned glazing (100 % bronze). The findings confirmed that colour quality metrics, particularly CRI, Qa, Qg, and GAI, are reliable indicators for predicting the colour quality of environments where daylight passes through patterned chromatic glazing. This study highlights the importance of understanding how chromatic glazing impacts colour perception in office environments and validates the use of these metrics in real-world applications.