VISION AND PERCEPTION

ARCH 303 BUILT ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE II

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 INTRODUCTION
Light allows us to see the visual world . As light changes so does our
experiences, thus defining the central concept of architectural lighting.

An awareness of both the properties of light and the experiences of the

observer is central to an understanding of the luminous world

Visual experience is an interpretation of seeing (eyes) and interpreting (brain)

Perception of the environment is an active information seeking. We look at

what we want to see.

Our perception of vision help us to navigate the world.

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 THE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE
Light entering the eye is affected by the various components of the eye in the
following order:

Cornea:
It is the transparent curved front surface of the eye
• serves as a protective layer
Iris:
• the coloured part of the eye

• automatically adjusts the size of the pupil

• controls the amount of light entering the eye based on external conditions
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 THE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE
Pupil:
• It is the hole in the iris through which light enters the eye

• It appears black because there is virtually no light reflected from it

Lens:
•Focuses the image of objects (at different distances) onto the retina
•It is flexible and can change its shape and thus the focal length
•This control is exercised by the ciliary muscles
•

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 THE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE
Retina:
• It is the coating of the interior surface at the back of the eye

• It consists of an array of cells/receptors called rods and cones:

‘converts the light energy into electrical signals which are
transmitted to the optic nerve’

• It essentially plays the role of the film in a camera

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THE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE

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THE STRUCTURE OF THE EYE

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 THE VISUAL MECHANISM
• Seeing is possible when light is received from objects in the field of vision
• Light passes through the cornea

• Amount of light is controlled automatically by the contraction and expansion

of the iris

• Light continues through the lens, which focuses the light on the retina

• Light is absorbed by substances present in the retina under photochemical

processes

• Sensations or impulses are transmitted through the optic nerves to the brain
where they cause the sensation of vision. 8
 MODES OF VISION
The retina contains two types of cells
 The rods
 The cones
The rods:
 Operate in dim light
 Respond to minute quantities
 Cannot perceive form or colour distinction
Cones
• Operate only in brighter and good light
• Can accurately differentiate:
 brightness difference
 position
 form
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 colour
 MODES OF VISION
Rod mode of vision – scotopic

Scotopic vision is the vision of the eye under low-light levels. The term comes
from Greek skotos, meaning "darkness", and -opia, meaning "a condition
of sight". In the human eye, cone cells are nonfunctional in low visible light.

Cones mode of vision – photopic

Photopic vision is the vision of the eye under well-lit conditions

Since colour is perceived only by the cones, there is poor colour perception in
dim light

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 Focus Process and Visual Perception
Attributive component of perception
The attributive aspect is that we attribute or assign meaning to our perception
This includes the recognition of patterns and forms and the general
classification of the world according to our known experiences

Expectative component of perception

The expectative aspect of our perception is affected by our expectation
We expect things to behave in the manner appropriate to the meaning we have
attributed to them. When we see an exit sign we assume there is an egress
route there. Our expectation affect our perception and action

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 Focus Process and Visual Perception
Pattern and expectation

The pattern established by rows of lines draws the eyes to the omitted line
Focus is due to the expectation of completeness or closure

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 Focus Process and Visual Perception
Affective component of perception
The affective component of our perception describes how we respond to, or
affected by our environment.

If an environment is uniform we may perceive it as dull or uninteresting

An environment can inspire feelings of chaos or order

This is mostly influence by our understanding of experience

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 Focus and Visual Noise
• When the context of our visual environment makes it difficult to distinguish
between the signal and the background, we are uncomfortable and make
mistakes.
• Interferences with our desired visual information is called visual noise

• Visual noise can be a variety of distracting phenomenon, such as excessive

area of brightness called glare, visual background of dominant pattern.
Reflection that compete with the desired image.
• Example of visual noise is the Houston Astrodome

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 ADAPTATION
Involves physiological, photochemical and nervous process that occurs in the
retina

The rods and cones undergo changes that enable them to adapt to different
light intensities

Certain chemical substances within the rods and cones undergo chemical
changes (under the influence of light ) that enable them to become less or
more sensitive to a given light intensity level.

The adaptation is so rapid as to appear instantaneous.

Adaptation is of significance in the lighting of stores, building lobbies and

tunnel entrances. 15
ACCOMMODATION
Is the muscular changes that allow the eye to focus from near to distant objects

The lens of the eye is controlled automatically by the ciliary muscles

This changes the curvature of the lens and hence keep the image on the retina in
constant focus. This function is called accommodation

The power of accommodation decreases with advancing age

This is due to the hardening of the lens

As a result, the nearest point at which an object can be focused recedes from
about 25cm to about 75cm
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ACCOMMODATION

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GLARE
The aim of an efficient lighting design is not only to provide illuminance levels
sufficient for good visual performance, but also to maintain a comfortable and
pleasing atmosphere

Quality of lighting is a term used to describe all of the factors in a lighting installation
not directly connected with quantity of illumination

Considerations for the quality of a lighting system must also include the visual comfort
of the occupants, with the absence of glare

The human eye does not function well if extreme levels of brightness are present in
the field of view

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WHAT IS GLARE
Glare occurs when a bright light interferes with visual perception

Glare is an aspect of lighting that can cause discomfort to occupants

Older persons are more sensitive to glare than younger ones

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GLARE
Factors that affect the severity of glare:
• Adaptation level of the eyes
• Assumed size of the glare source
• Luminance ratios
• Surface finishes
• Size and position of lighting fixtures and windows
• light sources in areas beyond the central 90º cone are less severe as glare
sources

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GLARE

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GLARE
Luminance ratios in the field of vision causes glare

If the luminance ratio within a visual field is greater than 15 (or 10), visual
efficiency will be reduced and discomfort may be experienced
(Lmax/Lmin)

There will be a difference in two lighting systems if two identical rooms are
lighted to the same average illuminance, one with a single bare bulb and the
other with a luminous ceiling

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TYPES OF GLARE

1. Direct Glare
 caused by a bright source directly in the field of vision

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2. Reflected Glare
• When light from a source is reflected off a surface onto the eye or field of
view

• Occurs when a glossy or a polished surface reflects the image of a light source

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3. Veiling Reflections
• Veiling Reflections should be avoided, particularly where critical visual task is
required.

• Example:
• the image of a window or luminaire off the surface of a computer screen

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REDUCTION OF VEILING REFLECTIONS
1. Use light fixtures with low surface luminance

2. Provide relatively uniform illumination throughout the room

3. Use matte work surface finish with reflectance of between 35 and 50

percent (avoid bright, white desk surfaces with 85 percent or more
reflectance)

4. Tilt task or work surface away from central 90º cone position

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 DISABILITY GLARE

• This is glare which occurs as a result of reduction in a person’s ability to see

objects in the field of view

• It reduces the ability to perceive visual information needed for task

performance

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DISCOMFORT GLARE

• Glare in which there is no significant reduction in the ability to see

• Can be uncomfortable, and even painful, but does not reduce ability to
perform visual task

• It is influenced by brightness conditions within the entire field of vision

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Vision and Age

• Old eyes have reduced visual acuity because of yellowing of the lense and
other factors.
• Require longer time for adaptation
• Have increased sensitivity to glare
• As age increase normal sighted person need higher illumination level and
optimum contrast of visual task to achieve best visual performance.

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Thank you

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