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Natural Lighting in Historic Houses during Times of Pandemic. The Case of Housing in the Mediterranean Climate

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen Muñoz-González

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Jonathan Ruiz-Jaramillo

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches

    (Instituto de Ciencias de la Construcción Eduardo Torroja, (IETcc), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28033 Madrid, Spain)

  • Maria Dolores Joyanes-Díaz

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Laura Montiel Vega

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Victor Cano-Martos

    (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura, University of Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain)

  • Miguel Ángel Navas-Martín

    (Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28029 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

The pandemic generated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to a forced increase in the number of hours spent at home. In many cases, the lockdown situations, both in social and work terms, have meant that homes have suddenly also become workplaces. Based on all the indicators, this new relational scenario in the labor market displays a clear upward trend and is far from being a temporary situation. It is known that sunlight affects people’s circadian rhythm and that its reduction and even absence during this period of isolation has had a psychological impact on the population. This makes it necessary to reconsider the regulations applied in homes, in order to guarantee their habitability, given their recent widespread use as offices, as well as domestic spaces. In historic centers, the comprehensive renovations being carried out include improvements in energy efficiency and thermal comfort, which play a fundamental role. However, the energy consumption linked to artificial lighting and the quality of this lighting itself have remained in the background, as improvement strategies consist mainly in the replacement of incandescent or fluorescent lamps with LED lamps. Prior to the pandemic, the electric consumption of lighting systems accounted for 10–15% of the total, a figure which increased to 40–50% during the lockdown period. Aiming to improve people’s well-being while reducing energy expenditure on lighting, this article presents a quantitative approach to improving the levels of natural lighting in residential heritage buildings located in historic centers. According to data obtained from previous surveys of a sector of the population, homes built prior to 1950 were characterized by good natural lighting conditions and a very low incidence of health issues among occupants compared to contemporary homes. The objective was to quantify the circadian stimulus and lighting levels and to identify the areas or work areas in homes in order to optimize consumption related to lighting and to generate healthy and comfortable spaces. Results show that historic homes have enough naturally lit areas to perform office work during business hours. However, in the most unfavorable seasons, winter and autumn, it is necessary to use artificial lighting at the start and end of the working day.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Muñoz-González & Jonathan Ruiz-Jaramillo & Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches & Maria Dolores Joyanes-Díaz & Laura Montiel Vega & Victor Cano-Martos & Miguel Ángel Navas-Martín, 2021. "Natural Lighting in Historic Houses during Times of Pandemic. The Case of Housing in the Mediterranean Climate," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7264-:d:589961
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jiang, Peng & Fan, Yee Van & Klemeš, Jiří Jaromír, 2021. "Impacts of COVID-19 on energy demand and consumption: Challenges, lessons and emerging opportunities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
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    1. Ivanna Voronkova & Anna Podlasek, 2024. "The Use of Transparent Structures to Improve Light Comfort in Library Spaces and Minimize Energy Consumption: A Case Study of Warsaw, Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Kokoro Natomi & Haruka Kato & Daisuke Matsushita, 2022. "Work-Related Stress of Work from Home with Housemates Based on Residential Types," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
    3. Eva Hernandez-Garcia & Evangelia Chrysikou & Anastasia Z. Kalea, 2021. "The Interplay between Housing Environmental Attributes and Design Exposures and Psychoneuroimmunology Profile—An Exploratory Review and Analysis Paper in the Cancer Survivors’ Mental Health Morbidity ," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-32, October.
    4. Miguel Ángel Navas-Martín & José Antonio López-Bueno & Ignacio Oteiza & Teresa Cuerdo-Vilches, 2021. "Routines, Time Dedication and Habit Changes in Spanish Homes during the COVID-19 Lockdown. A Large Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-16, November.

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