Users' perceptions of domestic windows in Hong Kong: Challenging daylighting-based design regulations

Abstract

The authors suspected that the contemporary quantified daylight control on window design is insufficient to satisfy the user expectation in Hong Kong. A survey was carried out from December 2007 to June 2008 to study the human–window interactions in high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong. The result indicated that daylighting is not the dominant factor for domestic window design because of Hong Kong's sociocultural context; other factors such as dining habit, toilet hygiene, views from living room and privacy for bedroom proved to be more important in the users’ perception. This suggested that the current statutory control may not fulfill or match user expectations. Thus, the window design framework should be a qualitative approach with the understanding of space function and user behavior in the sociocultural context in order to provide for a better living environment.