Overview
ISO 16817:2017 - "Building environment design - Indoor environment - Design process for the visual environment" describes an integrated, iterative design process to achieve a high‑quality indoor visual environment. The standard addresses architectural and engineering aspects of daylighting and artificial lighting systems with goals that include user satisfaction, visual comfort, health and well‑being, productivity, energy performance and building sustainability. It is a process‑oriented standard intended to guide decision making across project stages from concept through commissioning.
Key Topics
- Integrated design process: staged workflow (Project definition, Schematic design, Detail design, Final design) with defined inputs, outputs (Document I, II, IIIa/IIIb), evaluations and iterations.
- Daylighting and artificial lighting: harmonization of architectural form and lighting systems to provide visual comfort, view and reduced energy use.
- Human factors: consideration of visual comfort, circadian effects of light, colour rendering and task related requirements.
- Verification and documentation: frameworks for generation, verification and documentation at approval and handover, including commissioning documents and plans.
- Cost and lifecycle: estimation of primary costs and evaluation of design benefits versus costs (linked to life‑cycle costing principles).
- Sustainability integration: application of the nine general principles of sustainability (NGPS) as described in ISO 15392 and alignment with energy performance goals.
- Compliance and continuous improvement: review procedures and feedback loops to improve outcomes over time.
- Coordination with other bodies: references to CIE and CEN guidance for illuminating and lighting research and standards.
Applications and Who Uses It
ISO 16817 is practical for:
- Architects and lighting designers integrating daylight strategies and artificial lighting.
- Building services and electrical engineers specifying lighting systems and controls.
- Clients, project managers and contractors who need clear design deliverables, cost evaluation and commissioning plans.
- Authorities and consultants performing compliance reviews and sustainability assessments.
- Academic and research teams studying human responses to indoor lighting and design process methodologies.
Use cases include office buildings, schools, healthcare facilities and other indoor environments where occupant visual comfort, health and energy performance are priorities.
Related Standards
- ISO 16813 - General principles for indoor environment design
- ISO 15392 - Sustainability in building construction (NGPS)
- ISO 15686-5 - Life‑cycle costing (referenced for cost evaluation)
- ISO 26000 - Guidance on social responsibility
- CIE and CEN publications - technical guidance on lighting, colour rendering and circadian issues
Keywords: ISO 16817, indoor visual environment, daylighting, lighting design, visual comfort, sustainable lighting design, building environment design, lighting commissioning.
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