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The Effect of Building Orientation on Indoor Thermal Comfort

Abstract

Indoor thermal comfort is an important consideration in the design and performance of residential buildings, particularly in regions with hot and humid climatic conditions. The level of thermal comfort experienced by occupants is influenced by several factors, including indoor temperature, humidity, air movement, solar radiation, building materials, and building orientation. Among these factors, building orientation plays a significant role because it determines the extent to which different parts of a building are exposed to solar radiation and prevailing wind patterns. Appropriate orientation can therefore contribute to improved indoor environmental conditions and reduced dependence on mechanical cooling systems. This study examines the effect of building orientation on indoor thermal comfort in residential buildings. Building orientation refers to the positioning of a building and its major openings in relation to the sun, prevailing wind directions, and surrounding environmental conditions. The orientation of a building can influence solar heat gain, natural ventilation, daylight penetration, and the distribution of heat within interior spaces. Understanding these relationships is important for developing residential buildings that respond effectively to their local climatic conditions. The amount of solar radiation received by a building varies according to its orientation and the position of the sun throughout the day and year. Building surfaces that receive excessive solar exposure may experience increased heat gain, resulting in higher indoor temperatures and reduced thermal comfort. Proper orientation, combined with appropriate shading devices such as roof overhangs, fins, louvers, and vegetation, can help reduce unwanted solar heat gain. This can contribute to more stable indoor temperatures and improve the comfort of building occupants. Building orientation also affects natural ventilation within residential buildings. The positioning of windows, doors, and other openings in relation to prevailing winds can determine the effectiveness of cross-ventilation and air movement. A well-oriented building can take advantage of available wind patterns to promote natural cooling and remove accumulated indoor heat. Consequently, effective orientation can reduce the need for air-conditioning and electric fans, thereby contributing to lower energy consumption. The relationship between building orientation and thermal comfort is particularly important in tropical climates, where high outdoor temperatures and solar radiation can create significant indoor heat loads. However, the effectiveness of a particular orientation depends on local climatic conditions, site characteristics, building form, window placement, materials, shading, and occupancy patterns. Therefore, building orientation should be considered together with other passive design strategies rather than as an isolated design solution. This study assesses the effect of different building orientations on indoor thermal comfort in residential buildings. It seeks to examine how orientation influences indoor temperature, natural ventilation, solar heat gain, and overall occupant comfort. The findings are expected to provide useful information for architects, building professionals, homeowners, and other stakeholders in selecting appropriate building orientations for residential development. The study may also contribute to the promotion of climate-responsive building design, improved thermal comfort, and reduced reliance on mechanical cooling systems.

Keywords: Building orientation, Indoor thermal comfort, Residential buildings, Solar radiation, Natural ventilation, Passive design, Energy efficiency, Tropical climate, Building performance, Climate-responsive design.