Indoor thermal comfort in buildings is strongly influenced by environmental factors and architectural design decisions, particularly building orientation and roof configuration. The extent of heat infiltration into indoor spaces is largely determined by solar radiation received on the earth’s surface, making orientation a critical passive design strategy in tropical climates. Proper alignment of buildings can significantly enhance indoor comfort by optimizing solar gain during cooler periods while minimizing unwanted heat gain during warmer conditions. This study examines the influence of building orientation on internal ambient comfort, with emphasis on how roof arrangement contributes to the regulation of heat transfer into living spaces. In tropical environments, where high solar intensity is persistent, the orientation of a building plays a vital role in determining the distribution of heat within interior zones. Strategic building layout not only affects the thermal behaviour of roof systems but also determines how different internal spaces benefit from natural lighting and heat exposure during the day. Findings from previous studies indicate that appropriate building orientation can enhance passive solar heating when required and reduce excessive heat gain during cooling periods, thereby improving overall indoor environmental quality. Furthermore, effective orientation contributes to energy efficiency by reducing reliance on mechanical cooling systems, which in turn lowers energy consumption and operational costs. This makes orientation a fundamental component of sustainable building design in tropical regions. The study further highlights that maintaining optimal building orientation ensures better thermal regulation of internal spaces, particularly when combined with appropriate roof design. Roof arrangements that complement building orientation can significantly reduce heat infiltration, thereby improving indoor thermal comfort levels. Overall, the integration of orientation principles in building design is essential for achieving energy-efficient and comfortable indoor environments in tropical climates
Mitchell et al. (Wed,) studied this question.