The impact of varied correlated color temperatures on visual comfort in museum exhibitions: integrating physiological and subjective assessments

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) significantly influences mood, comfort, and potentially overall health. However, its impact on visitors’ visual experience in museum design remains insufficiently explored. This study aims to investigate the effects of different CCT settings (3000 K, 4500 K, 6000 K) on visual comfort within a simulated museum space. Using 3D modeling and physiological recordings, 200 participants assessed visual comfort. Consistent findings support that a CCT of 4500 K provides the highest comfort level, aligning with the observed trend in eye gaze duration. Pupil diameter variability indicates that greater comfort is associated with higher CCT values. While differences in heart rate variability (HRV) were not statistically significant, there is a tendency for HRV to increase with longer fixation durations. These findings challenge literature advocating for lower CCT values in museum lighting, emphasizing the need to balance conservation and visitor experience. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the optimization of visual comfort in museum lighting design through a CCT value of 4500 K, offering valuable insights for practitioners. However, limitations include potential scene disturbance and the simulated environment. Future studies should diversify samples and explore a broader range of CCT values.