In the heart of Iran’s historic city of Yazd, a study led by Parisa Javid from the Department of Architecture at Islamic Azad University, Tehran, is shedding new light on how atrium skylights can significantly enhance office building performance. Published in the Journal of Daylighting, known in English as the Journal of Natural Lighting, this research offers a compelling case for optimizing skylight designs to boost energy efficiency and occupant comfort in hot climates.
Javid and her team turned to advanced simulation tools—Rhino 8, Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Honeybee—to model and optimize key design parameters of atrium skylights. Their focus was on improving thermal and visual comfort, critical factors in energy-efficient building design. “We aimed to find the sweet spot between daylight performance and thermal comfort,” Javid explained. “The goal was to minimize glare and solar heat gain while maximizing natural light and comfort.”
The study zeroed in on four key metrics: Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE), Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) for thermal comfort, and Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA). Through multi-objective optimization, the team evaluated various skylight configurations, ultimately identifying the A-3A design as the top performer. This configuration boasted a length-to-width ratio of 3, delivering superior thermal comfort (PMV = -0.49), optimal daylight distribution (sDA = 98.4%), minimal glare (DGP = 29.6%), and moderate solar exposure (ASE = 29.6%).
The results were striking. The A-3A model outperformed the base model by 24% in thermal comfort and 7.2% in daylight autonomy. “This isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that are comfortable, energy-efficient, and sustainable,” Javid emphasized. The study also highlighted the influence of skylight geometry and the skylight-to-roof ratio (SRR) on solar exposure and daylight distribution, offering clear guidance for architects and engineers.
For the energy sector, the implications are substantial. As buildings account for a significant portion of global energy consumption, optimizing passive design solutions like atrium skylights can lead to substantial energy savings. “This research provides a roadmap for integrating renewable energy solutions into building design,” Javid noted. “It’s a step towards creating more sustainable and resilient urban environments.”
The study’s findings are particularly relevant for regions with hot climates, where solar heat gain and glare can be major challenges. By optimizing skylight designs, architects and engineers can create buildings that are not only energy-efficient but also comfortable and visually appealing.
As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, research like Javid’s offers a beacon of hope. By harnessing the power of natural light and passive design, we can build a future that is both sustainable and comfortable. And with the Journal of Daylighting bringing these insights to the forefront, the path forward is clearer than ever.