Does a visual connection to nature influence comfort in a space? A strong connection to nature is a common theme in regionalist architecture throughout the Portland area. The spaces within the Watzek House, along with the basement reading room of the White Stag Block (WSB) without outdoor connection, will be used to answer the question. A metric based on hypothesis was developed and recorded quantitative data from a simulated space in VR.
Hypothesis: A higher score on our comfortability metric, determined by our analysis of each space, will have the effect of expanding the ASHRAE 55 thermal comfort zone of a participant. (worked in collaboration with Zachariah Pettet and Josh Rosenthal)
1. WHITE STAG BUILDING - READING ROOM
2. JOHN WATZEK HOUSE - READING ROOM
3. JOHN WATZEK HOUSE - LIVING ROOM
DEVELOPED METRIC FOR MEASURING “COMFORT COEFFICIENT”
