Optimizing Daylighting Typology in Religious Buildings: A Case Study of Electrochromic Glazing Integration in the Masjid Al-Shagroud

Mosques, revered as sacred spaces, are distinguished by their sustainable architectural designs. A critical aspect of these designs is the implementation of daylighting strategies, essential for ensuring adequate light levels, particularly for reading the Holy Quran. Traditional daylighting typologies in mosques, such as multi-lateral lighting, clerestories, skylights, and shading devices, are widely recognized. However, the potential application of electrochromic (EC) switchable glazing within mosque architecture remains underexplored. This study delves into the effectiveness of various daylighting typologies, assessing their performance before and after the integration of EC switchable glazing in the Al-Shagroud Mosque located in Saudi Arabia. Employing comprehensive radiance simulations in accordance with the LEEDv4.1 standards, the study evaluates additional metrics including useful daylight illuminance (UDI300–3000lux), workplane illuminance (WPI), uniformity index (Ui), and daylight glare probability (DGP) under multiple scenarios. The results demonstrate that clerestory lighting effectively meets LEEDv4.1 benchmarks but exhibits limitations in achieving uniform light distribution, particularly in the men’s prayer hall. In contrast, the women’s prayer hall benefits from a combination of clerestory lighting and shading devices, which improves light quality and mitigates glare issues. However, the use of skylights without adequate shading leads to excessive WPI and high DGP levels, compromising visual comfort. Moreover, managing daylight quantity and quality through the integration of different typologies, including hybrid models, presents substantial challenges. The integration of EC switchable glazing, while maintaining optimal WPI and reducing DGP, offers enhanced visual comfort in prayer areas. Nevertheless, this technology faces difficulties in ensuring even light distribution, as evidenced by lower uniformity index values. This research highlights the critical need for optimizing daylighting in mosques to balance sustainability and comfort, without detracting from their sacred ambiance.