Enhancing Workspaces: A Study on Visual Comfort and Artificial Lighting Configuration in Malaysian Shop Offices

This study addresses the crucial issue of visual comfort in Malaysian shop offices, particularly those characterized by windowless intermediate layouts.The significance of this research is underscored by the recognized impact of inadequate artificial lighting on consistent illumination and glare, ultimately influencing employee satisfaction within workplace environments.The objectives of this study encompass the identification of key factors influencing visual comfort, an assessment of satisfaction levels, preferences regarding lighting configurations, and the proposition of a model tailored to address these concerns.Conducting a case study involving three shop offices in Johor Bahru, the approach integrates Revit simulations and a comprehensive questionnaire distributed among 100 office occupants.The analysis reveals compelling correlations between factors such as glare, illuminance, and layout.Notably, the findings underscore widespread dissatisfaction among office occupants with the current lighting conditions, emphasizing the critical need for optimized artificial lighting configurations.Such optimizations are posited to significantly enhance visual comfort and overall well-being in Malaysian shop office settings.This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by shedding light on the intricacies of visual comfort in specific workplace environments.Through a meticulous examination of influential factors and the proposal of a model attuned to the unique challenges faced by Malaysian shop offices, this research offers valuable insights for both academia and practitioners.The implications of the findings extend beyond mere academic interest, as they advocate for tangible improvements in lighting configurations to foster a more comfortable and satisfying work environment.