Improving Natural and Artificial Lighting in Coastal Architecture Classrooms: Insights and Applications

This research examines the natural and artificial lighting performance comparison in an architecture classroom at a university in southern Thailand and gives principles for enhancing lighting design. The sample for the study was classroom spaces. The efficacy of natural and artificial lighting was studied using static and dynamic models, and data were obtained using a 4 in 1 multi-function environmental meter at various times of the day. The current study adopted the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) and CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) lighting standards for the performance comparison analysis. The results showed that the natural light in the classrooms did not satisfy the standards for lighting levels. In contrast, the artificial lighting was more effective but raised some issues with uniformity and glare. The study offers recommendations for improving lighting effectiveness, maximizing natural light, reducing energy consumption, improving the uniformity of artificial illumination, addressing issues with various classroom lighting designs, and creating more comfortable and realistic learning environments.