LIGHT, THE RIGHT WAY

Rapid urbanization in Dhaka has driven a surge in high-rise office buildings with fully glazed façades, reflecting a global architectural trend favoring transparency and daylight maximization. However, in Dhaka’s hot and humid tropical climate, extensive use of glass façades creates challenges such as visual discomfort, glare, and excessive brightness, which compromise occupant comfort and energy efficiency. This thesis investigates the impact of fully glazed office façades on daylight quality and visual comfort in Dhaka, focusing on daylight contrast and glare issues influenced by building orientation and climatic factors. Through a case study approach combining daylight simulation and on-site occupant surveys, the research evaluates current façade performance. In response, the thesis proposes optimized external shading solutions aimed at balancing daylight penetration with glare reduction to improve visual comfort and occupant well-being. Findings suggest that, without proper shading design, fully glazed façades may not deliver the expected sustainable benefits in Dhaka’s context. Proposed façade shading modifications demonstrate significant improvements in reducing these issues while maintaining natural light penetration. This study highlights the importance of context-sensitive façade design in tropical climates to enhance both energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality.