Optimizing and analyzing the perceptual components of daylight in the educational spaces of Samaya schools of Bojnord Azad University
Subject Areas : architecture
Reza Mirzaei
1
*
,
Sahar Mohammadzadeh
2
,
Seyyed Mehdi Maddahi
3
1 - Department of Art and Architecture , Islamic Azad University, Birjand, Iran.
2 - Department of Art and Architecture,Islamic Azad University, Birjand Branch, Iran.
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Khavaran Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad, Iran.
Keywords: Architecture of educational spaces, daylight, perceptual components, architectural solutions, Samai Bojnoord School.,
Abstract :
Daylight is a fundamental architectural element that critically influences spatial quality, psychological well-being, and user performance. As a natural resource, it directly impacts human biological rhythms and emotional states, while also shaping the perception of architectural components such as color, form, and texture. In educational environments, where students spend a significant portion of their day, the quality of lighting is of paramount importance. Inadequate or poorly designed daylighting can lead to significant issues, including reduced concentration, visual fatigue, glare, and uneven light distribution, all of which adversely affect students’ health and academic achievement. Despite its recognized importance, many existing educational facilities fail to effectively harness natural light. This research, therefore, aims to analyze and optimize the perceptual components of daylight in educational spaces, proposing architectural strategies to enhance the quality of the learning environment.
This study adopts an applied research approach using a descriptive-analytical method, focusing on the Sama Girls’ School in Bojnourd, Iran, as a case study. Data was collected through library research and a comprehensive field survey. The primary data collection instrument was a questionnaire distributed to a statistical population of 450 architectural experts specializing in educational space design. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 24. Furthermore, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to validate the conceptual model and examine the causal relationships among four key dimensions: individual-attitudinal, structural-human, economic, and cultural-educational.
The findings revealed that the daylighting performance at the case study school is “conservative” and requires significant optimization. The analysis indicated an uneven distribution of natural light within key areas like classrooms, leaving deeper parts of the rooms inadequately illuminated. Based on these results, specific architectural solutions were proposed to enhance daylighting. These strategies include installing horizontal canopies to control direct solar radiation and prevent glare, using appropriate curtains for light modulation, and incorporating side and strip windows to ensure a more uniform distribution of light throughout the space. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a meticulous, science-based approach to optimizing the perceptual components of daylight can lead to a substantial improvement in the educational environment. Such interventions not only foster student health and concentration but also reduce reliance on artificial lighting, contributing significantly to energy efficiency and the principles of sustainable architecture.
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