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Assessment of the Influence of Building Orientation on Indoor Daylight Quality

Abstract

Daylighting is an important aspect of building design because access to adequate natural light can improve visual comfort, occupant wellbeing, productivity, and energy efficiency. Building orientation plays a significant role in determining how sunlight reaches building façades and enters interior spaces throughout the day. Poor orientation may result in excessive glare, uneven daylight distribution, or insufficient illumination, while appropriate orientation can improve the availability and distribution of useful natural light. Assessing the influence of building orientation on indoor daylight quality is therefore important for developing environmentally responsive and energy-efficient buildings. This study assesses the influence of building orientation on indoor daylight quality by examining variations in natural illumination within spaces positioned along different building orientations. The assessment considers factors such as façade direction, window placement, window size, room depth, surrounding obstructions, and solar exposure. Daylight conditions within selected interior spaces are evaluated to determine how different orientations affect illuminance levels and the distribution of natural light throughout occupied areas. Particular attention is given to the relationship between orientation and the changing position of the sun during different periods of the day and year. East- and west-facing façades may experience different patterns of direct solar exposure compared with north- and south-facing façades, depending on the climatic and geographical context. These variations can influence both the quantity and quality of daylight entering interior spaces. The study therefore examines how orientation affects daylight availability while also considering the potential for glare and excessive brightness. The effectiveness of building orientation is also influenced by other architectural characteristics, including window-to-wall ratio, shading devices, glazing properties, interior surface reflectance, and room configuration. These factors can either enhance or reduce the benefits associated with a particular orientation. The study considers the interaction between orientation and these design elements to determine whether appropriate combinations can improve daylight distribution while limiting unwanted solar penetration and visual discomfort. Poorly distributed daylight can result in areas of excessive brightness near windows and inadequate illumination in deeper parts of rooms, increasing dependence on artificial lighting. Excessive direct sunlight can also produce glare and unwanted heat gain, creating conflicts between daylight quality and thermal comfort. Understanding these interactions is particularly important in educational, residential, office, and public buildings where occupants may spend extended periods indoors. Appropriate orientation combined with effective daylighting strategies can help address these challenges. The study aims to provide a clearer understanding of how building orientation influences indoor daylight quality and to identify architectural strategies for achieving more balanced natural illumination. The findings are expected to support early-stage design decisions concerning building placement, façade orientation, window configuration, and solar control. The research can contribute to the development of buildings that make effective use of natural daylight, improve visual comfort, reduce artificial lighting demand, and enhance overall environmental performance.

Keywords: Building orientation, Daylight quality, Natural lighting, Indoor illuminance, Visual comfort, Solar exposure, Window placement, Window-to-wall ratio, Glazing, Daylight distribution, Solar shading, Glare control, Energy efficiency, Climate-responsive design.