Optimizing Visual Comfort and Daylighting in Single-Family Housing Design: A Simulation-Based Approach
Research Poster Engineering 2025 Graduate ExhibitionPresentation by Maryam Aman
Exhibition Number 136
Abstract
The rapid development of single-family housing in Islamabad, Pakistan, calls for an investigation of the floor layouts of these houses and their role in providing daylighting and visual comfort. This study examines the balance between sufficient daylight availability and occupant visual comfort in single-family row houses in Islamabad. A simulation-based methodology was employed, using Rhino/Grasshopper to create a parametric model representative of this housing type. ClimateStudio was used for daylighting analyses across four orientations (North, South, East, and West). Using polynomial regression and Spearman correlation analyses on 200 simulated cases, we identify nonlinear relationships between window size and daylight metrics. The key metrics evaluated include UDI, sDA, and ASE for annual daylight availability and visual comfort evaluation. Analysis of the results shows that for Islamabad, the optimal window size for the north orientation is 40–60% to address limited daylight, for the south orientation is 50–70% with low-SHGC glazing and horizontal shading devices, for the east orientation is 50–65% while balancing the morning light through horizontal shading and low-SHGC glazing, for the west orientation, 40–55% is recommended alongside vertical shading and dynamic systems. This study provides a template for regions with high solar irradiance levels, encouraging integrated simulation frameworks to combine metrics often examined in isolation. The findings provide actionable insights for architects and enhance occupant comfort in high-irradiance regions. Future research should integrate these daylighting strategies with energy efficiency measures and thermal comfort considerations to develop comprehensive design guidelines for single-family housing in Islamabad and similar climatic contexts.
Importance
This study contributes to the growing discourse on climate-responsive architecture in rapidly urbanizing regions of the Global South. This study looks at the Daylight metrics holistically which is vital for creating a balance between conflicting goals of maximizing daylight while avoiding or minimizing overheating and glare. By providing optimized Daylighting, there is a potential for energy-savings as the need for artificial lighting is reduced by providing adequate Daylighting. This study also gives recommendations for window design that can potentially result in adequate solar heat gain and reduced cooling loads. This study is promoting a human-centric sustainable design for buildings that may have limited access to Daylight by balancing the visual comfort and Daylight availability for its occupants. The methodology designed for this study could be used in other regions with different climatic conditions for Daylight performance studies thus enhancing the impact of this study beyond its geographic focus.