Optimization of window design in hospital rooms for effective access to daylight

Abstract

Proper access to natural light entails a multitude of consequences for human beings, making it a highly significant aspect within the hospital setting. In consequence, it is imperative to undertake an appropriate optimization of windows in architectural design to reduce energy consumption and mitigate environmental impact, while concurrently enhancing the well-being of occupants. The aim of this study is to quantify the relative effectiveness in terms of energy consumption and natural lighting of hospital room windows, analyzing how a set of key design variables ‒size, proportion, position, and orientation‒ influence in one of the primary lighting dynamic metrics, Daylight Autonomy (DA). The results indicate that it is recommended to prioritize horizontal window designs over floor-to-ceiling alternatives, allocate a minimum area of 1.20m² to the south (greater on the north side), favor central positioning on the facade, and emphasize a southern orientation for optimal illumination.