Assessing Thermal Comfort in Studio Classrooms of an Institutional Building: Case of Composite Climate

Architectural studios represent unique indoor environments where the interplay of design, occupancy, and climate can significantly influence thermal comfort. This research article investigates the thermal comfort conditions in studio classrooms located within an institutional building in Lucknow, situated in composite climate. Lucknow subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters, poses distinct challenges for maintaining comfortable indoor conditions. A study on the indoor comfort level of a studio space, where both theory and drawing classes take place, was conducted to assess their thermal conditions during student lesson hours. The study was conducted over two distinct periods, in January and May of 2024, to cover two different seasons. Six studio classrooms distributed across three floors were systematically assessed to comprehensively evaluate thermal comfort parameters. The field study involved monitoring thermal comfort during a hot summer week and a cold winter week, each consisting of 3 working days from 8 am to 4 pm. Through a combination of quantitative measurements and qualitative observations, various factors influencing thermal comfort, such as temperature and occupant satisfaction, were analyzed. The findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of thermal comfort dynamics within studio classrooms in composite climates, offering insights that can inform building design and management strategies to enhance occupants comfort and well-being. . KEYWORDS :Levels, Orientation, Temperature, Thermal Comfort, Thermal Environment