Evaluating responsive façade shading for enhancing daylighting performance in university classrooms across Egyptian regions

Abstract

Daylight quality and visual comfort are critical parameters in learning environments, particularly in climates with intense solar exposure. This study investigates responsive façade shading as a climate-adaptive strategy to improve indoor daylight performance in university classrooms across four Egyptian regions: West Cairo, Aswan, Alexandria, and Hurghada. A parametric simulation workflow was developed using Rhino, Grasshopper, Ladybug, Honeybee, Galapagos, and Wallacei-x to analyze annual daylight metrics (DA, UDI), visual comfort (DGP), and Quality of View (QV) under static and adaptive façade configurations. Findings demonstrate strong climatic dependence. Responsive shading consistently reduced over-lighting and lowered DGP, with the 50% opening ratio providing the most effective glare mitigation, while the 80% configuration improved daylight uniformity. Hurghada achieved the most balanced performance, combining stable DA and high QV with moderate glare levels. West Cairo maintained high DA but exhibited significant UDI instability, requiring finer modulation. Alexandria showed limited added benefit from responsiveness, and Aswan remained glare-dominated, indicating the need for additional control strategies. The study concludes that responsive shading should be deployed selectively and tailored to the climate, offering region-specific recommendations for future educational building design in Egypt.