The Institute for Research in Construction conducted an experiment in which temporary office workers spent one day in an enclosed office with a translucent sandwich panel installation, which diffuses direct sunlight, and another day in an enclosed office that had a traditional window with a perforated roller blind.
Participants were given a set of tasks simulating regular office work and the filling out of questionnaires about satisfaction, mood and the office environment, including lighting. Lighting and supplemental electric heating energy use were also monitored.
When combined with a daylight-linked lighting-control system, the office with the translucent sandwich panel system consumed 29 percent less energy for lighting than the office with the window and blind. Average light levels in the translucent sandwich panel room were 2.6 times greater.
Both rooms were judged to be equally satisfactory work environments with good overall lighting quality; however, there was a slight tendency to judge the room with the roller blind as having more bothersome glare in the morning. Supplemental heating energy use was in line with expectations based on the insulating properties of the two facades.
