Optimizing Opening Design for Daylighting in School Buildings, Case Study: Xaverius 3 Palembang Senior High School

Abstract

The school serves as a facility to accommodate teaching and learning activities. The efficiency of these activities within the classroom is influenced by the illumination in that space. Classrooms with more natural lighting allow students to learn 20% more efficiently compared to classrooms with less natural lighting. However, many classrooms still rely on artificial lighting, such as lamps. Apart from reducing students' learning efficiency, the use of artificial lighting also diminishes energy conservation in school buildings. Therefore, this research aims to analyze the optimization of aperture design for natural lighting in classrooms. The case study involves Xaverius 3 Palembang Senior High School to identify the focus of this research. This school is chosen because it uses artificial lighting in classrooms despite having windows on each side of the room. In the data analysis process, this research employs an experimental research method by modifying the most efficient aperture design for natural lighting, targeting an average of 350 lux. The experiment utilizes Dialux Evo software to simulate natural lighting levels in the classrooms. Through this process, it is found that various factors influence natural lighting levels in a room. The building's mass shape and orientation are fundamental factors in optimizing natural lighting. The dimensions of openings and the use of shading are other factors affecting natural lighting levels in a room. Therefore, designing the most efficient opening requires a combination of appropriate opening dimensions and shading usage, maximizing the potential of natural lighting based on the building's mass shape and orientation.

Keywords: Building Opening, Daylighting, Shading Devices