Quantifying light comfort in traditional and modern residential buildings for Western Sichuan Plateau of China: a field study

Abstract

The Western Sichuan Plateau (WSP) is characterized by high altitude and intense solar radiation. Residents in this region have long been exposed to a stark contrast between strong outdoor light and dim indoor environments, leading to the development of unique perceptions of light comfort. To assess the genuine light comfort needs of local residents, this study focuses on Taoping Qiang Village in Lixian County, adopting a combined approach of on-site measurements and questionnaire surveys to analyze the light comfort perceptions of residents in traditional and modern residential buildings under varying illuminance levels. The results indicate that residents of traditional residential buildings are more adapted to low illuminance environments (50–150 lx), while those in modern residential buildings prefer higher illuminance levels (300–450 lx). The existing daylighting standard (no less than 300 lx) is not applicable to traditional residential buildings, as excessive illuminance may cause discomfort. The study recommends optimizing illuminance design in architectural lighting environments by tailoring solutions to different residential types and user needs, avoiding excessively high or low illuminance levels that compromise comfort. This research provides empirical evidence for light comfort studies in high-altitude regions and offers scientific guidance for local architectural lighting design.