Search

The 'LIGHTVAN' research aims to optimize the lighting design for healthy schools and modern senior housing and care homes with regards to the use of light as a cheap and important source of energy.A multi-functional mobile light laboratory was built into a delivery van, the LIGHTVAN. This LIGHTVAN has two clear aims: With this mobile light laboratory we can travel to the living environment of specific groups of people, such as children and seniors, so that they may be subject to specific age-dependent light studies. In this moving laboratory measurement equipment is present for this purpose and a table and chairs for the various subjects. Testing of luminance and color contrasts are possible, as well as the testing of "light and shadow" patterns. Even small eye tests can be performed.In addition, the rear side of the delivery van is adapted so that with opened doors all kinds of innovative facades can be tested. The LIGHTVAN travel to different locations to be accommodated and be positioned towards various sun directions.Several passe-partouts are available for building physics measurements of different facades sizes in order to allow test-subjects to indicate their preferences for specific facades in terms of comfort., SPOOL, Vol 1, No 2: energy innovation #1

SPOOL, Vol 2 No 2: Energy innovation #3

This paper concentrates on the acoustic design aspects of the living rooms in institutions for adults with intellectually disability. In the living rooms for adults with ID there is even a higher stress on the acoustics since they are more dependent on the acoustical environment compared to normal population. Moreover prevalence of hearing impairment among adults with ID is around 30% and in most cases it is not even recognised. Therefore the rooms for adults with ID need to be designed by taking into account the requirements of the hearing impaired. They need more favourable room acoustics to improve their communication and participation. This paper investigates three main themes: 1) Investigation of impact of building design tools on acoustical quality parameters and determination of most appropriate acoustical quality indicator that translates best into architectural practice for living rooms for adults with ID. 2) Investigation of the relation between user satisfaction and absorption amount in rooms for adults with ID by listening tests prepared from auralizations. 3) Development of architectural/acoustical design guidelines to provide optimal absorption amount for living rooms for adults with ID.