Abstract:
: As buildings are the biggest consumers of energy, reducing the total energy consumption in this area may have a significant role in preserving non-renewable resources. Appropriate use of daylight may decrease the need for electric lighting which may lead to reduced energy consumption and costs in lighting. Moreover, in the Iranian traditional architecture, there have been various passive strategies to take advantage of the renewable resources to provide thermal and visual comfort for users. Using daylight is one of these methods and strategies. The present study aims at analyzing the lighting condition of these buildings. Therefore, four buildings in Qazvin city, which belong to Qajar period (1785-7925 A.D.), were selected as the case studies. Then, the elected buildings were simulated as three-dimensional models. Finally, the analysis of daylight factor and illuminance was conducted using Ecotect Analysis, Energy Plus and VELUX Daylight Visualizer Software. After the analysis of data obtained from the respective simulations and their comparison with the extant standards of lighting, it was found that the average daylight factor at all under-scrutiny rooms was acceptable; in addition, 76 percent of rooms required no artificial light during the daytime. The reason for appropriate lighting in these spaces is positioning alongside the sunlit side of the building as well as use of big windows. In addition, the analysis of illuminance shows that the distribution of light in interior spaces is even. Moreover, although much amount of light enters the space, the use of light color prevents contrast and daze while enhances visual comfort.
Machine summary:
The Analysis of Daylight Factor and Illumination in Iranian Traditional Architecture, Case Studies: Qajar Era Houses, Qazvin, Iran Yousef Gorji Mahlabani1* and Aliasghar Mofrad Boushehri2 1 Associate Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.
After the analysis of data obtained from the respective simulations and their comparison with the extant standards of lighting, it was found that the average daylight factor at all under-scrutiny rooms was acceptable; in addition, 76 percent of rooms required no artificial light during the daytime.
Using natural light in design process may also reduce electricity consumption for artificial lighting over 50-80%, and consequently lead to saving in buildings electricity consumption as well (Bodart & De Herde, 2002; Mardaljevic et al.
In addition to methods of reducing energy and electricity consumption in buildings, using natural light may also result in increased visual comfort and productivity for users (Leslie, 2003; Oral et al.
Therefore, appropriate architectural design by using natural light may have a significant role in reducing total energy consumption in buildings and consequently may turn the latter to an energy-efficient building (Li & Tsang, 2008).
The present study aims to estimate the amount of daylight and illuminance in main spaces (living rooms and bedrooms) in 4 residential buildings belonging to the Qajar period (1785-1925 A.
To analyze daylight, Energy Plus measures the reflections of both interior surfaces and adjacent buildings with an advanced method (Li & Wong, 2007).