Reflections on environmental control: luminous and sonic environments inside the design studio

Abstract

In this thesis, two environmental control parameters -lighting and acoustics - are studied. Since one of architecture's primary concerns is to provide human beings with comfort, emphasis is put on the approach that design decisions pertaining to lighting and acoustics should be considered in the earlier phases of the designing process. The design studio has been chosen since it houses many different functions simultaneously, with its significance as the place where design education actually begins. Accordingly, norms, numeric standards and common designing principles are compiled for design studios. Then, the lighting (luminance, illuminance) and acoustics (sound pressure level) performances of the design studios of the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture of Bilkent University are measured. The results are, finally, evaluated and concluded with general technical advice for the amelioration of the measured studios.