7. Balancing performance, hygiene and convenience

Architects, lighting designers, decorators, ergonomists and occupational physicians are all directly or indirectly involved in the design and management of visual space. For reasons of training and professional culture, they generally do not have the same perception. What's more, it's always difficult to put oneself in the shoes of the actual user of the premises, to perceive the way in which he or she apprehends his or her visual space, to know the interactions that will develop between the different users. It's also important to bear in mind that the perception of a visual space can be very different for the "visitor" (virtually all the players and decision-makers) and for the resident.

When it comes to visual ambience, these considerations can largely be boiled down to three interactive and competing elements: visual performance, visual hygiene and pleasantness....