Assessing Daylighting Strategies for Enhancing User Comfort in the Proposed Prime University Senate Building, Abuja, Nigeria: A Simulation-Based Approach

This study assessed the effectiveness of daylighting strategies for enhancing user comfort in the proposed Prime University Senate Building, Abuja, Nigeria, using a simulation-based approach. The study examined the influence of architectural design variables, including building orientation, courtyard configuration, window placement, facade treatments, and roof-level daylight openings on indoor daylight performance. A design-based research methodology integrating literature review, architectural design exploration, and daylight simulation using Sefaira was adopted. Daylight Factor (DF) served as the primary performance indicator for evaluating daylight availability across six floor levels. Results showed that spaces adjacent to courtyards and external façades achieved higher daylight factor values, while deep-plan areas such as the auditorium exhibited lower daylight penetration. Daylight performance improved progressively on the upper floors due to increased sky exposure and reduced external obstruction. The findings demonstrate that courtyard integration, optimized fenestration, and climate-responsive design strategies significantly enhance daylight distribution and visual comfort while reducing dependence on artificial lighting. The study concludes that simulation-driven daylighting assessment provides a reliable framework for improving environmental performance and occupant comfort in institutional buildings within tropical savannah climates