A comparison between the daylighting and energy performance of courtyard and atrium buildings considering the hot climate of Saudi Arabia. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Asfour, Omar S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of building engineering. Volume 30(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Daylighting -- Energy -- Courtyard -- Atrium -- Hot climate; ASE Annual Solar Exposure -- CBDM Climate-Based Daylight Modelling -- DF Daylight Factor -- HVAC Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning -- sDA Spatial Daylight Autonomy -- UDI Useful Daylight Illuminance -- WWR Window-to-Wall Ratio; Building -- Periodicals; 690.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2020.101299
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-7102

Abstract

Abstract: Daylighting is a healthy and energy-efficient building design strategy that has increasingly attracted the attention of researchers. This study investigates daylighting and the energy performance of courtyard and atrium office buildings, considering different window-to-wall ratios (WWR) applicable to the hot climate of Saudi Arabia. In such a climate, it is recommended to reduce window area and use shading devices in addition to the shaded daylighting elements such as courtyards and atria. This study analysed several cases in this regard and found that the examined courtyard and atrium building configurations presented equivalent cooling and artificial lighting energy performance in general. As for daylighting performance, the most balanced option of those examined was the use of a moderate WWR value of 30%, given that shading devices were used. This moderate value provided a better balance between daylight availability and glare reduction. Increasing WWR to 40% or 50% would only increase cooling energy demand and visual discomfort through glare. Highlights: This study compared daylight and energy performance of courtyard/atrium buildings. It considered the hot climate and different window-to-wall ratios (WWR). Courtyard/atrium buildings presented equivalent daylight and energy performance. However, the most practical case in the hot climate of Saudi Arabia was WWR = 30%.