Chunya Wu
The influence of visual green window scenery on indoor thermal perception of residents
Publications collection in M.Arch
These three studies are the results of my master's degree, and the results are compiled into my master's thesis.
This study takes green window views as an example and aims to investigate whether and how outdoor visual signals can and will affect human thermal perception of indoor living environments, and the paths through which this effect works. The study contains two major parts: theoretical analysis and empirical research. The theoretical analysis part summarizes previous research results, qualifies and clarifies heat perception and green window view, and constructs an index system for measuring the effect of green window view on heat perception; the empirical part consists of three experiments to investigate whether virtual visual scenes have an effect on heat perception, the magnitude and mechanism of the effect of virtual reality green window view on heat perception, and the questionnaire survey of real occupants is used to verify the conclusions. The conclusions were verified, and finally, based on the theoretical and data bases, a thermal comfort window view design methodology for virtual reality technology was proposed, and a low-cost, replicable thermal comfort window view design, research, and testing path was summarized. It is found that green window views significantly affect residents' indoor thermal perceptions in both real-world and virtual reality environments; a pleasant window view visual environment significantly enhances thermal comfort and makes thermal perceptions neutral; and positive positive environmental affective evaluations are associated with positive thermal perceptions. It can be used as a design guide for settlement designers to help create better sustainable settlements.
The influence of virtual environment on thermal perception
Physical reaction and subjective thermal perception on outdoor scenarios in virtual reality
Abstract: Positive thermal perception can affect users’ climate-controlling behavior, indirectly reducing a building’s operational carbon emissions. Studies show that some visual elements, such as window sizes and light colors, can influence thermal perception. However, until recently there has been little interest in the interaction of thermal perception and outdoor visual scenarios or natural elements like water or trees, and little quantitative evidence has been found associating visual natural elements and thermal comfort. This experiment explores and quantifies the extent to which visual scenarios outdoors affect thermal perception. The experiment used a double-blind clinical trial. All tests were done in a stable laboratory environment to eliminate temperature changes, and scenarios were shown through a virtual reality (VR) headset. Forty-three participants were divided into three groups randomly, separately watched VR-outdoor scenarios with natural elements, VR-indoor scenarios, and a control scenario of the real laboratory, then finished a subjective questionnaire conducted to evaluate their thermal, environmental, and overall perceptions while their physical data (heart rate, blood pressure, pulse) was real-time recorded. Results show that visual scenarios could significantly influence thermal perception (Cohen’s d between groups > 0.8). Significant positive correlations were found between key thermal perception index, thermal comfort, and visual perception indexes including visual comfort, pleasantness, and relaxation (all PCCs ≤ 0.01). Outdoor scenarios, with better visual perception, rank higher average scores (M ± SD = 1.0 ± 0.7) in thermal comfort than indoor groups (average M ± SD = 0.3 ± 1.0) while the physical environment remains unchanged. This connection between thermal and environmental perception can be used in building design. By being visually exposed to pleasing outdoor environments, the positive thermal perception will increase, and thus reduce building energy consumption. Designing positive visual environments with outdoor natural elements is not only a requirement for health but also a feasible path toward a sustainable net-zero future.
Keywords: Environmental Psychology; Thermal Perception; Cross-modal Perception; Virtual Reality
The Impact of Public Green Space Views on Indoor Thermal Perception and Environment Control Behavior of Residents
A Survey Study in Shanghai
Abstract: To reduce energy consumption while meeting the indoor thermal comfort requirements of residential buildings, this survey study explores the visual-thermal cross-modal effect of public green space window view on residents’ indoor thermal perception, and how this effect regulates residents’ environment control behavior. Based on an online questionnaire, 424 valid data were collected from Shanghai residents during the lockdown period during which the window view is the only accessible connection to the outside. The result shows that public green space views, while not significantly changing the physical thermal sensation of residents, made a greater proportion of participants feel thermal neutral, and significantly improved the participants' environmental evaluation, thermal comfort, and thermal acceptance, resulting in a 7% decrease in using air conditioning and 7% increase in natural ventilation. Path analysis reveals that public green space window view can improve indoor thermal comfort by enhancing subjective environmental evaluation, and thus encourage passive environmental regulation behavior, reducing energy consumption. Complementing previous studies, this research provides direct evidence for the energy-saving potential of public green space in residential areas from a different angle.
Keywords: Visual-thermal interaction; cross-modal perception; Environment control behavior; Environmental psychology; Sustainable design
Window Views Psychological And Physiological Effects On Indoor Thermal Perception
A comparison experiment based on virtual reality environments
Abstract: Previous studies have indicated that window views significantly impact residents' indoor thermal perception, but the exact pathways and extent of this cross-modal influence are not fully understood. This research explores how outdoor visual attributes affect indoor thermal comfort through visual-thermal interaction, potentially aiding energy reduction in built environments. Utilizing the Landscape Visual Quality Assessment (LVQA) method, the study quantified window views with five green visibility indicators in 16 varied virtual environments. The experiment involved 24 participants in two temperature settings, revealing that specific window view attributes notably affect thermal perception and emotional responses. Elevated Biophilic Design Attributes and a heightened Visible Green Index are correlated with increased thermal comfort. An augmented Sky View Factor and Color Richness may be associated with an elevated thermal sensation. However, Observer Landscape Distance appears to have no significant correlation with thermal perception. The findings highlight that positive emotional dimensions correlate with improved thermal comfort and acceptance, whereas negative emotions are associated with discomfort. This study elucidates the interactive effects of window view attributes on thermal perception, providing valuable insights for energy-efficient outdoor environment design.
Keywords: Thermal Perception, Window Views, Cross-modal Perception, Virtual Reality, Environmental Psychology
