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Influence of Building Orientation on Indoor Daylight Quality in Residential Buildings

Abstract

The study examines the influence of building orientation on indoor daylight quality in residential buildings, with emphasis on how the positioning of buildings in relation to solar direction affects the availability and distribution of natural light within interior spaces. Building orientation is an important consideration in residential design because it determines the direction and duration of solar exposure received by different building facades and window openings. Appropriate orientation can therefore contribute to adequate daylight penetration, visual comfort, and improved indoor environmental quality. The study will assess the orientation of selected residential buildings and examine its relationship with indoor daylight conditions. Relevant characteristics will include building orientation, facade direction, window orientation, window size, room depth, shading elements, and the position of openings in relation to occupied spaces. Daylight quality will be assessed using indicators such as indoor illumination levels, daylight penetration, distribution of light within rooms, areas of inadequate illumination, and occupants’ perception of visual comfort. A descriptive comparative research design will be adopted for the study. Selected residential buildings will be assessed through physical observation, building orientation measurements, dimensional assessment, daylight measurements at selected indoor points, photographic documentation, and structured questionnaires administered to occupants where appropriate. Data obtained will be analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while appropriate comparative or correlation tests may be applied to determine the relationship between building orientation and indoor daylight quality. The study is expected to reveal differences in indoor daylight quality among residential buildings with different orientations. Buildings and rooms positioned to receive favourable natural light may demonstrate better daylight penetration and more balanced illumination, while unfavourable orientations may result in inadequate daylight or uneven light distribution within interior spaces. The effects may also vary according to window size, room depth, shading devices, surrounding buildings, vegetation, and other site conditions that influence the availability of natural light. The findings will be useful to architects, residential building designers, housing developers, environmental designers, and other professionals involved in building planning and design. The study may provide useful information for making informed decisions regarding building orientation and window placement to improve daylight availability and visual comfort. The findings may also support passive design approaches that reduce reliance on artificial lighting and contribute to improved energy efficiency in residential buildings. The study will conclude by establishing the influence of building orientation on indoor daylight quality in residential buildings. It is recommended that building orientation should be carefully considered alongside window placement, room depth, shading, and surrounding site conditions during residential design to achieve adequate and well-distributed natural lighting. Further studies involving different residential building forms, climatic conditions, and daylighting strategies are recommended to provide broader guidance for climate-responsive residential design.

Keywords: Building orientation, indoor daylight quality, residential buildings, natural lighting, daylight penetration, daylight distribution, illumination level, visual comfort, window orientation, window openings, solar exposure, room depth, shading devices, passive design, residential architecture.