Daylight Optimization in Reading Spaces in the Design of Architecture Library, Kaduna State University, Nigeria

Abstract

Daylight in a library is an intrinsic factor in teaching and learning spaces as daylight has been proven to stimulate the brain to stay active. However, too much daylight cause stress that affect assimilation.  This study, therefore, examines and assesses the quality and quantity of daylight required for all learning spaces, according to International Energy Agency (IEA) using daylight elements to create variation in influx of lumen; with the purpose of combining manual and electronic study area. This case study is done Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Architecture Department Library using climate-based daylight modelling classification, in which Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) data are obtained from spaces with side lighting having daylight elements. Visual survey and quasi-experiment is done to test for the validity and reliability of the result, after which two daylight elements were introduced in the experiment and result taken intermediately. It is observed that the daylight performance metric of the Daylight Autonomy (DA) was influenced by the introduction of Daylight elements (DE) base on positioning and size of the windows and distance of the screen wall from the window opening. The combination of Centralised window (1100mm above floor level) and screen wall, 1200mm from the window opening resulted to 38.35% improvement in luminance. When centralised window (1100mm above floor level) was combined with screen wall at 900mm from the window opening, 36.76% improvement in interior luminance was recorded. The study shows that centralised window (1100mm above floor level) in combination with screen wall at 900mm is appropriate for redistributing light and improving luminance level in an interior space with other variable such as building orientation, window size, room reflectance, glazing type being the same. The readings from this research yielded a positive result and therefore were replicated in the design of the proposed faculty of architecture design in the Kaduna state University, Kaduna state.