Lighting appraisal, well-being and performance in open-plan offices: A linked mechanisms approach

In two experiments in a simulated office space, temporary office personnel worked under one of six lighting conditions for a day. A previous paper reported the results of statistical tests for lighting conditions effects on perceptions, feelings and task performance. This paper reports mediated regression analyses testing the linked mechanisms by which lighting conditions affect health, well-being and task performance. Combined results from the two statistical approaches show that people who perceived their office lighting as being of higher quality rated the space as more attractive, reported more pleasant mood, and showed greater well-being at the end of the day. Direct—indirect lighting and personal control were favoured. Lighting conditions that improved visibility also improved task performance.