Efficient Opening Design for Daylighting in Educational Facilities: A Case Study of Xaverius 3 Senior High School, Palembang

Abstract

The school serves as educational facilities to accommodate teaching and learning activities. The efficiency of these activities within the classroom is influenced by the illumination level within 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 analyse the optimization of opening design for natural lighting in classrooms. The case study involves Xaverius 3 Palembang Senior High School as the focus of this research. This school is considered as a case study 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 opening 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 buildings’ 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 building 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.