Field study challenges: Customisation and personalisation during lighting control research in residences

Abstract

Abstract Residential lighting control can assist in creating a comfortable atmosphere, providing information, and supporting well-being. Field studies are used to investigate lighting control, but study protocol customisation or personalisation may be required due to actual life events and situations. An 8-week field study tested three protocols for effects on behaviour, well-being, and sleep patterns and was executed in 14 apartments during the winter. Light amount and timing were controlled: residents woke up with a dawn simulation, experienced lights turn-off as an indication to leave for work, and were prepared for bed during a dusk simulation scenario. Sleep trackers results showed later and more wide-ranged wake-up and bedtimes than assumed. As expected, the apartments’ different floorplans challenged comparable light exposure. Unexpectedly, several participants requested a reduced wake-up frequency and reported sleeping elsewhere on Fridays and Saturdays. Everybody experienced a full dawn simulation, but some people left home soon after wake-up, calling for lighting control customisation. Real-time field applications may demand a certain level of customisation or personalisation, affecting intentions and results. Discussing and documenting (un)intentional adjustments during final interviews and in scientific publications can benefit in explaining findings and further research.