The Effect of Occupant Behavior on the Residential Visual Environment: A Case Study from Annaba, Algeria

Abstract

The construction of comfortable, energy-efficient and health-friendly homes is more crucial than ever at a time when
the health crisis is forcing us to reconsider our way of life. This article used a post-occupancy evaluation of the
inhabited space in residential buildings at Oued El-Fourcha neighborhood in Annaba to assess user satisfaction with
occupied buildings, examine the impact of daylighting and human behavior on the lighting ambience. The results of
the study were processed by SPHINX Lexica software, focusing mainly on the qualitative aspects of daylighting in the
inhabited space, taking into account occupant preferences. The study demonstrated an unfavorable level of internal
illuminance, and that adequate lighting also needs to meet occupant requirements in order to make these windows
usable, which must satisfy a number of socio-cultural, climatic and environmental factors.