Assessment of Building Forms and Orientation Techniques that Enhance Natural Ventilation and Light for Improved Indoor Air Quality
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Abstract
This study investigates how building forms and orientation techniques enhance natural ventilation and daylighting to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in sustainable architecture. Using a qualitative research approach, the study systematically reviews seven peer-reviewed journal articles and one international case study, with a focus on tropical and high-density urban contexts. Findings reveal that passive design strategies such as optimal building orientation, adaptive façades, and cross-ventilation can reduce cooling loads by up to 35.9%, improve daylighting by 69%, and lower indoor temperatures by an average of 2.2°C. Case study analysis of the Green School in Bali demonstrates the practical integration of low-cost, climate-responsive strategies such as open-air classrooms, stack ventilation, and natural shading. However, implementation in regions like sub-Saharan Africa remains limited due to policy, technical, and infrastructural barriers. The study emphasizes the need for targeted design education, policy reform, and simulation-based design tools to support the broader adoption of passive strategies in architecture and urban planning.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Williams U. Danjuma, Oluwatoyin O. Ajayi, Adedeji S. Daramola (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Williams U. Danjuma, Caleb University, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Department of Architecture, College of Postgraduate Studies
Oluwatoyin O. Ajayi, Caleb University, Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Department of Architecture, College of Postgraduate Studies
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