The Effect of Chromatic Adaptation on Perception of Light Chromaticity

Abstract

Building occupants' perception of light chromaticity frequently changes due to chromatic adaptation, a phenomenon often overlooked in current lighting design practices. This oversight can impede environmental comfort, aesthetics, and energy efficiency improvements. A comprehensive understanding of chromatic adaptation in architectural lighting could enable the development of intelligent lighting systems that adjust based on users' adaptation states, enhancing lighting quality in architectural settings. To achieve this, a deeper exploration of chromatic adaptation effects in architectural lighting is essential. Although past research has extensively explored the mechanisms of chromatic adaptation to enhance our understanding of the human visual system, the application of this knowledge to lighting design and product development has been limited. To address this gap, three experiments were conducted to investigate this phenomenon further. The first experiment focused on examining how previous light exposure influences perceptions of slightly tinted, nominally white light chromaticities. In the second and third experiments, perceptions of near-white light chromaticities were investigated with varying luminances and durations of previous light exposure. Subjects' perception of colour for various test chromaticities was recorded using psychophysical hue scaling. Fifteen near-white adaptation chromaticities, four adaptation luminances, and four adaptation durations were investigated. The results showed that colour perception shifts systematically in both hue and chroma, depending on the chromaticity and luminance of the adaptation light. The duration of adaptation had irregular effects on the outcomes.