Window Orientation, Glare, and Visual Comfort in Offices

This study explores the relationship between glare and visual comfort in office environments in relation to daylight conditions in office spaces. The research combines three approaches: field measurements of illumination, user surveys to assess visual comfort, and 3D daylight simulations using Rhino and DIVA software, which studied 21 participants (13 men and 8 women) working in 14 office rooms with window orientations. The results show that users' perceptions of glare and satisfaction with lighting conditions are affected by the location of the desk relative to the windows and their orientation. Southeast and southwest-facing rooms had the highest levels of glare (DGP > 0.35), especially when desks were perpendicular to the windows. In contrast, northeast and northwest-facing rooms had better light balance and higher visual comfort. A statistically significant correlation was found between measured and perceived glare (r = 0.63, p < 0.05), confirming the alignment between objective and subjective evaluations. Gender differences were observed, with female participants showing a higher sensitivity to glare. The study found that full-height windows that occupy 20–40% of the facade provide the most daylight and maintain the visual connection to the outside when combined with appropriate desk placement and glare control. To increase workplace satisfaction, this study emphasizes the use of daylight simulation tools with user-based assessments during the design phase.