Harnessing daylight strategies for maximizing visual comfort in architectural design studios

Introduction: Lighting quality in educational facilities impacts visual comfort, particularly in architectural design studios where drawing and drafting require optimal conditions. This study examines daylighting in a design studio located in Nigeria to improve visual comfort. Methods: The research employed questionnaire surveys, full-scale illuminance measurements, and Dialux Evo-9.2 simulations, with measurements validated within an acceptable error margin of ≤20%. Results: The survey results showed that 72% of respondents found the lighting to be either too bright or dim, while 73% reported poor daylight distribution. Respondents agreed daylight was adequate near windows but insufficient at the center. Measurements confirmed illumination levels below the required 500 lux, averaging 54.36, 147.97, and 140.25 lux across the locations, validating an uneven distribution. Simulations showed that high-level windows and clerestory openings would improve illuminance levels. The optimal orientation had the longer side (the longer façade side with a greater proportion of openings) facing the southern hemisphere, yielding the highest illuminance. The Daylight Glare Probability (<0.3) and uniformity ratio (>0.4) were within acceptable limits. Discussion: The study recommends practical strategies to enhance daylighting efficiency in design studios, ensuring visual comfort, energy conservation, and optimal learning environments for future studio planning and policy.