Daylighting and the Elderly: A Study of Daylight Accessibility and Envelope Retrofit in Southern Chile's Senior Home

Daylighting and the Elderly: A Study of Daylight Accessibility and Envelope Retrofit in Southern Chile's Senior Home

Alarcón, Catalina; Pincheira, Milena; Rivera, M. Isabel; Martínez, Andrea

Full Article:

In the next 25 years, the elderly population will increase on average to 65 thousand people annually in Chile (INE, 2018). Their independent living is jeopardized partially for diminished visual capacity that difficult spatial perception. Although light does not correct vision impairment, adequate light levels can respond to the needs of older people as preventing visual errors. This study evaluates daylighting availability in an assisting living residence in a southern city in Chile. A quantitative approach resulted in the identification of envelope-retrofit strategies that allow achieving recommended levels of natural lighting, particularly in shared spaces where residents spend most of the day. The results show that it would be possible to achieve better light availability, as it also allows for a better understanding of the contributions of the building envelope. Finally, the study outlines recommendations for future retrofits that meet requirements for visual comfort for a growing senior population.

In the next 25 years, the elderly population will increase on average to 65 thousand people annually in Chile (INE, 2018). Their independent living is jeopardized partially for diminished visual capacity that difficult spatial perception. Although light does not correct vision impairment, adequate light levels can respond to the needs of older people as preventing visual errors. This study evaluates daylighting availability in an assisting living residence in a southern city in Chile. A quantitative approach resulted in the identification of envelope-retrofit strategies that allow achieving recommended levels of natural lighting, particularly in shared spaces where residents spend most of the day. The results show that it would be possible to achieve better light availability, as it also allows for a better understanding of the contributions of the building envelope. Finally, the study outlines recommendations for future retrofits that meet requirements for visual comfort for a growing senior population.

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DOI: 10.5151/sigradi2021-226

Referências bibliográficas

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Como citar:

Alarcón, Catalina; Pincheira, Milena; Rivera, M. Isabel; Martínez, Andrea; "Daylighting and the Elderly: A Study of Daylight Accessibility and Envelope Retrofit in Southern Chile's Senior Home", p-1333-1344. In: XXV International Conference of the Iberoamerican Society of Digital Graphics. São Paulo: Blucher, 2021.
ISSN 23186968, DOI 10.5151/sigradi2021-226