Exploring the Multi-Sensory Coupling Relationship of Open Space on a Winter Campus

Abstract

Exploring the combined effects of multisensory interactions in open spaces can help improve the comfort of campus environments. Nine typical spaces on a university campus in Fuzhou were selected for this study. Subjects perceived the environment and then completed an on-site subjective questionnaire. At the same time, meteorological data (global radiation, air temperature, globe temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and illumination intensity) were measured to determine the interactions between visual and acoustic and thermal perceptions. Differences in the meteorological parameters between the measuring points were described using a one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test, and a chi-square test of independence was used to determine significant associations between thermal, acoustic, and visual comfort, which in turn led to the study of interactions between visual, acoustic, and thermal comfort using a two-way ANOVA. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) the Thermal Comfort Vote (TCV) increased with the increasing Acoustic Comfort Vote (ACV) at all levels of thermal stress. (2) The highest and lowest Acoustic Sensation Vote (ASV) values for each sound type were derived from either “slightly cold” or “warm” conditions. Both the Thermal Comfort Vote (TCV) and the Acoustic Comfort Vote (ACV) were positively correlated. (3) When “neutral”, the Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) increased with increasing illumination intensity (LUX). (4) The Sunlight Sensation Vote (SSV) increased with the increasing Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) when illumination intensity (LUX) was moderate and bright. (5) The highest and lowest Acoustic Sensation Vote (ASV) values for each sound type came from either “slightly cold” or “warm” conditions.