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Daylight Performance of Classrooms in a Mediterranean School Heritage Building

Author

Listed:
  • Francesco Nocera

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Alessandro Lo Faro

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Costanzo

    (Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Chiara Raciti

    (Freelance Architect, 96100, Siracusa, Italy)

Abstract

In school buildings, natural light has considerable physiological benefits, and increases energy efficiency while reducing the operational energy consumption of buildings. It is thus crucial to maximize the amount of daylight, as well as to improve its quality, in educational premises. In Italy and other European countries, many historic buildings are reused as school buildings, changing their original function. This process of adaptive reusing is one method for conserving heritage buildings, however sometimes this process sacrifices the quality of daylight and well being of pupils. It has therefore become apparent that it is difficult to reconcile the cultural value of historic buildings with comfort standards. This study aimed to investigate the natural lighting performance of a school located in an historic building, and proposes different technological solutions to improve the visual comfort in classrooms whilst also respecting the cultural value of built heritage. Daylight performance was carried out in a representative classroom in the ‘Caserma Gaetano Abela’, an historical building located in Siracusa (Italy). A daylight model built in Radiance was first validated against an illuminance measurement campaign, and was then used to run detailed dynamic simulations. Climate Based Daylight Modelling (CBDM) metrics were used to show the achievable improvements in visual comfort conditions by means of proposed retrofit interventions. These interventions may also be used in other areas of southern Europe with similar climatic and constructive/distributive characteristics of architectural heritage.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Nocera & Alessandro Lo Faro & Vincenzo Costanzo & Chiara Raciti, 2018. "Daylight Performance of Classrooms in a Mediterranean School Heritage Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3705-:d:175858
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Angela Moschella & Antonio Gagliano & Alessandro Lo Faro & Attilio Mondello & Angelo Salemi & Giulia Sanfilippo, 2018. "A Methodology for an Integrated Approach for Seismic and Energy Refurbishment of Historic Buildings in Mediterranean Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin & José-Manuel del-Río & Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano, 2019. "Influence of Solar Reflectance and Renewable Energies on Residential Heating and Cooling Demand in Sustainable Architecture: A Case Study in Different Climate Zones in Spain Considering Their Urban Co," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-31, November.
    2. Michele La Noce & Alessandro Lo Faro & Gaetano Sciuto, 2021. "Clay-Based Products Sustainable Development: Some Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-26, January.
    3. Giada Giuffrida & Maurizio Detommaso & Francesco Nocera & Rosa Caponetto, 2021. "Design Optimisation Strategies for Solid Rammed Earth Walls in Mediterranean Climates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-23, January.
    4. Francesco Nocera & Rosa Caponetto & Giada Giuffrida & Maurizio Detommaso, 2020. "Energetic Retrofit Strategies for Traditional Sicilian Wine Cellars: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
    5. Grazia Lombardo, 2021. "The Seismic Coat: A Sustainable and Integrated Approach to the Retrofit of Existing Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, June.
    6. Fabio Fantozzi & Hassan Hamdi & Michele Rocca & Stefano Vegnuti, 2019. "Use of Automated Control Systems and Advanced Energy Simulations in the Design of Climate Responsive Educational Building for Mediterranean Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-22, March.
    7. Maria Rosa Trovato & Francesco Nocera & Salvatore Giuffrida, 2020. "Life-Cycle Assessment and Monetary Measurements for the Carbon Footprint Reduction of Public Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-25, April.
    8. Stefania De Medici, 2021. "Italian Architectural Heritage and Photovoltaic Systems. Matching Style with Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-23, February.
    9. Przemyslaw Tabaka & Justyna Wtorkiewicz, 2022. "Analysis of the Spectral Sensitivity of Luxmeters and Light Sensors of Smartphones in Terms of Their Influence on the Results of Illuminance Measurements—Example Cases," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-21, August.
    10. Karim Mohamed Ragab & Mehmet Fatih Orhan & Kenan Saka & Yousef Zurigat, 2022. "A Study and Assessment of the Status of Energy Efficiency and Conservation at School Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-31, August.
    11. David Baeza Moyano & Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano, 2021. "Pandemic of Childhood Myopia. Could New Indoor LED Lighting Be Part of the Solution?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-14, June.
    12. John Emmanuel Ogbeba & Ercan Hoskara, 2019. "The Evaluation of Single-Family Detached Housing Units in terms of Integrated Photovoltaic Shading Devices: The Case of Northern Cyprus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, January.
    13. Islam Boukhelkhal & Fatiha Bourbia, 2021. "Experimental Study on the Thermal Behavior of Exterior Coating Textures of Building in Hot and Arid Climates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-16, April.
    14. Jitka Mohelníková & Miloslav Novotný & Pavla Mocová, 2020. "Evaluation of School Building Energy Performance and Classroom Indoor Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-17, May.
    15. Joseph Cabeza-Lainez & Jose-Manuel Almodovar-Melendo & Ismael Dominguez, 2019. "Daylight and Architectural Simulation of the Egebjerg School (Denmark): Sustainable Features of a New Type of Skylight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-14, October.
    16. Soumaya Besbas & Francesco Nocera & Noureddine Zemmouri & Mohamed Amine Khadraoui & Asma Besbas, 2022. "Parametric-Based Multi-Objective Optimization Workflow: Daylight and Energy Performance Study of Hospital Building in Algeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, October.
    17. Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin & José Manuel del Río & Vincenzo Costanzo & Francesco Nocera & Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano, 2019. "Passive Design Strategies for Residential Buildings in Different Spanish Climate Zones," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-22, September.
    18. Sara Eriksson & Lovisa Waldenström & Max Tillberg & Magnus Österbring & Angela Sasic Kalagasidis, 2019. "Numerical Simulations and Empirical Data for the Evaluation of Daylight Factors in Existing Buildings in Sweden," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-24, June.
    19. Jaewook Lee & Mohamed Boubekri & Feng Liang, 2019. "Impact of Building Design Parameters on Daylighting Metrics Using an Analysis, Prediction, and Optimization Approach Based on Statistical Learning Technique," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, March.
    20. Erika Dolníková & Dušan Katunský & Zuzana Miňová & Bystrík Dolník, 2021. "Influence of the Adaptation of Balconies to Loggias on the Lighting Climate inside an Apartment Building under Cloudy Sky," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-24, March.

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