Simulation of Appropriate Daylighting Strategies for Higher Educational Institutions Buildings in Malaysia

Abstract: Malaysia’s higher education sector faces a significant challenge in balancing energy efficiency with budget constraints. The rising electricity bills, primarily driven by heating, air conditioning, and lighting loads, have become a substantial financial burden. Institutions are exploring various methods to control energy demand and reduce costs to address this issue. Building retrofitting using passive design strategies has emerged as a cost-effective. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the appropriate daylighting strategies designed for building higher education institutions in Malaysia through simulation. This study employs simulation using Velux Daylight Visualizer software by displaying conditions of natural daylighting in generic models regarding illuminance level. Three case studies have been conducted by simulating using four daylighting strategies: (i) Window Base Case, (ii) Light Shelf (LS), (iii) Louvers (LO), and (iv) Overhang (OV). Data obtained from the Velux Daylight Visualizer provide analysis on illuminance level in false colour format by generating photo-realistic images based on detailed and physically accurate lighting simulations. The Comparison Simulation Daylighting Reading Table (CSDRT) is formulated by comparing the simulation illuminance readings with the recommended readings from three building guidelines: GBI for Interior Version 1.3, MS1525 2019 third revision, and CIBSE Lighting Guide 5: Lighting for Education. The CSDRT revealed that meeting all three guidelines simultaneously across every zone and time phase for all daylighting strategies is impractical. However, it is feasible to satisfy two guidelines, which can help determine the most effective daylighting strategy for specific zones. Key findings include the high effectiveness of louvers in Case Study A, promising results for the window base case strategy in Case Studies B and C, and varying performance of light shelves and overhangs. The research underscores the importance of aligning simulation studies with established guidelines for optimising daylighting and energy efficiency in educational buildings.