In the heart of Indonesia’s tropical regions, classrooms often find themselves in a battle for daylight, overshadowed by adjacent buildings. This common architectural challenge has sparked innovative research led by Ecenur Kızılörenli, a dedicated scholar from Dokuz Eylül University’s Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Department of Architecture. Kızılörenli’s work, recently published in the Journal of Daylighting, offers a promising solution that could revolutionize classroom design and energy efficiency.
Kızılörenli’s study focuses on optimizing daylighting performance in classrooms with bilateral openings, a typology prevalent in Indonesian urban settings. The research, conducted using advanced computational simulations, aims to enhance annual visual comfort and daylighting performance, ultimately reducing the need for artificial lighting and lowering energy consumption.
The study employed Ladybug Tools for model construction and Radiance under Grasshopper for annual visual comfort and daylight simulation. Through sensitivity analysis, Kızılörenli identified key façade design variables, including external horizontal shading depth, shading elevation, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and distance to the adjacent building.
“One of the most significant findings was the impact of horizontal shading depth, shading elevation, and WWR on the east façade,” Kızılörenli explained. “These variables proved to be the most influential in achieving optimal annual visual comfort and direct sunlight exposure.”
The optimal design solution suggested by the study includes a horizontal shading depth and shading elevation of approximately 2.6 meters and 2.7 meters, respectively, and a WWR of 10% for both east and west façades. Additionally, the research recommends maintaining a distance of 0.5 meters from the edge of the external shading on the west side to the adjacent building.
The implications of this research are far-reaching, particularly for the energy sector. By optimizing daylighting performance, schools can significantly reduce their reliance on artificial lighting, leading to substantial energy savings. Moreover, improved visual comfort can enhance learning environments, benefiting students and educators alike.
Kızılörenli’s work not only addresses a pressing issue in Indonesian classrooms but also sets a precedent for similar challenges in other tropical regions. As the demand for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings continues to grow, this research provides valuable insights into the future of façade design and daylighting optimization.
The study, published in the Journal of Daylighting, translates to the Journal of Daylighting, underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling real-world problems. As we look to the future, Kızılörenli’s findings offer a beacon of hope for creating more sustainable, comfortable, and energy-efficient learning environments.