Design Optimization of Atrium Skylights for Enhanced Office Building Performance Using NSGA-II: Case Study in Yazd, Irans

The increasing demand for energy and the impact of climate change underscore the necessity of energy-efficient building designs. This study optimizes atrium skylights as a passive design solution for Yazd, Iran aiming to enhance thermal and visual comfort. The research team used simulation tools, including Rhino 8, Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Honeybee, to model key design parameters: skylight geometry, skylight-to-roof ratio, and material properties. The study applied multi-objective optimizations to four key metrics: Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE), Predicted Mean Vote (PMV), and Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA). The A-3A configuration, with the highest length-to-width ratio of 3, provided the best thermal comfort (PMV = -0.49), optimal daylight distribution (sDA = 98.4%), minimal glare (DGP = 29.6%), and a moderate ASE (29.6%), demonstrating superior comfort and reduced solar heat gain. The sensitivity analysis showed that the A-3A model outperformed other configurations, improving thermal comfort (PMV) by 24% and sDA by 7.2% over the base model. The Morris method identified skylight geometry and SRR as most influential for solar exposure and daylight distribution. This study offers clear guidance for optimizing atrium skylight designs in to enhance thermal and visual comfort, laying the groundwork for further research, including the integration of renewable energy, to enhance performance in hot climates.