Framework for Integrating Daylight and Artificial Lighting in Office Buildings in Hot Climates for Energy Efficiency and Visual Comfort

Buildings, especially in hot climates, consume a lot of energy, and lighting is one of the primary consumers of this energy, particularly in office buildings. The integration of the maximum amount of daylight indoors is capable of minimizing the use of artificial lighting energy. However, excessive daylight can negatively impact users’ visual comfort due to glare. Thus, a framework for accurate integration of artificial and daylighting to achieve acceptable visual comfort and energy savings is required. The current research aims to address this gap by developing a framework to integrate daylighting and artificial lighting systems in office buildings situated in hot climates to enhance visual comfort and reduce energy consumption. The study uses the Design Builder energy simulation tool and Illustrator software for the final design framework. At the simulation stage, the study explores configurations based on four key parameters: lighting control strategies, window-to-wall ratio, glass type, and building orientation. The simulations reveal that optimal integration of these parameters can significantly reduce lighting energy consumption by up to 30%. Furthermore, adequate integration of daylighting and artificial lighting can achieve a 12% reduction in total energy consumption. The study also evaluates the implications of different building envelope designs on glare control and overall visual comfort. The study achieved adequate indoor lighting levels while significantly reducing the impact of glare. The research concluded by offering a framework model to integrate daylight with artificial lighting to achieve energy efficiency and visual comfort. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing a framework for integrating daylight and artificial lighting to optimize energy performance and occupant comfort in hot climates.