INFLUENCE OF CENTRAL COURTYARD’S DAYLIGHTING ON VISUAL COMFORT AT TAMARIND SQUARE SELANGOR, MALAYSIA: A CASE STUDY

Current commercial buildings are designed in a compact and massive form leading to an unhealthy environment. Courtyard is an effective daylight passive design strategy implemented in a building that can contribute to a healthier environment. Moreover, courtyards can also act as a multi-functional space that can enhance social activities. These two potentials make courtyards relevant in solving the issues which arise in current commercial building’s design. However, Malaysia is a tropical country with bright sky condition. To make use of the potential of daylight in courtyards in a tropical climate, a design strategy is needed to adapt with the over exposure of sunlight. To study the influence of daylight in courtyards and the strategies needed to counter the issues of visual discomfort, Tamarind Square was chosen as a case study, as the building is considered as one of the best design practices in Malaysia, based on the recognitions given by the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) and other notable bodies. Daylight design strategies are examined to verify whether courtyards in Tamarind Square do meet the criteria for good visual comfort. Visual comfort is analysed based on visual comfort parameters that include: available amount of light, light uniformity, shading strategy, risk of glare, choice of material, access to view, and colours. There were three courtyards involved in this study: the North Court, the Centre Court and the South Court. Each of these courtyards has its own strategies in adapting to tropical climate and providing good visual comfort, while at the same time meeting its purpose as part of the commercial space in Tamarind Square.