Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology
University classrooms, core to higher education, have indoor light environments that directly affect students’ learning efficiency, visual health, and psychological states. This study integrates parametric optical simulation and virtual reality (VR) to explore light environment perception in ordinar...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2585 |
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| author | Zhenhua Xu Jiaying Chang Cong Han Hao Wu |
| author_facet | Zhenhua Xu Jiaying Chang Cong Han Hao Wu |
| author_sort | Zhenhua Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | University classrooms, core to higher education, have indoor light environments that directly affect students’ learning efficiency, visual health, and psychological states. This study integrates parametric optical simulation and virtual reality (VR) to explore light environment perception in ordinary university classrooms. Forty college students (18–25 years, ~1:1 gender ratio) participated in real virtual comparative experiments. VR scenarios were optimized via real-time rendering and physical calibration. The results showed no significant differences in subjects’ perception evaluations between environments (<i>p</i> > 0.05), verifying virtual environments as effective experimental carriers. The analysis of eight virtual conditions (varying window-to-wall ratios and lighting methods) revealed that mixed lighting performed best in light perception, spatial perception, and overall evaluation. Light perception had the greatest influence on overall evaluation (0.905), with glare as the core factor (0.68); closure sense contributed most to spatial perception (0.45). Structural equation modeling showed that window-to-wall ratio and lighting power density positively correlated with subjective evaluations. Window-to-wall ratio had a 0.412 direct effect on spatial perception and a 0.84 total mediating effect (67.1% of total effect), exceeding the lighting power density’s 0.57 mediating effect sum. This study confirms mixed lighting and window-to-wall ratio optimization as keys to improving classroom light quality, providing an experimental paradigm and parameter basis for user-perception-oriented design. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-24b6fd1b864e4ddd8fa8ec9a73a59e57 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-24b6fd1b864e4ddd8fa8ec9a73a59e572025-08-20T03:36:39ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011515258510.3390/buildings15152585Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality TechnologyZhenhua Xu0Jiaying Chang1Cong Han2Hao Wu3School of Urban Construction, Beijing City University, Beijing 100000, ChinaSchool of Architecture, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UKSchool of Urban Construction, Beijing City University, Beijing 100000, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Design, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100000, ChinaUniversity classrooms, core to higher education, have indoor light environments that directly affect students’ learning efficiency, visual health, and psychological states. This study integrates parametric optical simulation and virtual reality (VR) to explore light environment perception in ordinary university classrooms. Forty college students (18–25 years, ~1:1 gender ratio) participated in real virtual comparative experiments. VR scenarios were optimized via real-time rendering and physical calibration. The results showed no significant differences in subjects’ perception evaluations between environments (<i>p</i> > 0.05), verifying virtual environments as effective experimental carriers. The analysis of eight virtual conditions (varying window-to-wall ratios and lighting methods) revealed that mixed lighting performed best in light perception, spatial perception, and overall evaluation. Light perception had the greatest influence on overall evaluation (0.905), with glare as the core factor (0.68); closure sense contributed most to spatial perception (0.45). Structural equation modeling showed that window-to-wall ratio and lighting power density positively correlated with subjective evaluations. Window-to-wall ratio had a 0.412 direct effect on spatial perception and a 0.84 total mediating effect (67.1% of total effect), exceeding the lighting power density’s 0.57 mediating effect sum. This study confirms mixed lighting and window-to-wall ratio optimization as keys to improving classroom light quality, providing an experimental paradigm and parameter basis for user-perception-oriented design.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2585virtual reality (VR) technologyindoor light environmentlight perception evaluationspatial perception evaluationgeneral classroom |
| spellingShingle | Zhenhua Xu Jiaying Chang Cong Han Hao Wu Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology Buildings virtual reality (VR) technology indoor light environment light perception evaluation spatial perception evaluation general classroom |
| title | Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology |
| title_full | Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology |
| title_fullStr | Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology |
| title_full_unstemmed | Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology |
| title_short | Perception of Light Environment in University Classrooms Based on Parametric Optical Simulation and Virtual Reality Technology |
| title_sort | perception of light environment in university classrooms based on parametric optical simulation and virtual reality technology |
| topic | virtual reality (VR) technology indoor light environment light perception evaluation spatial perception evaluation general classroom |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/15/2585 |
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