EVALUATION OF DAYLIGHTING AT PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS IN IPOH, PERAK

Daylighting as a source of light which can be obtained freely from the sky which helps to enhance the interior spaces for several of task in a building. This study is about the evaluation of daylighting in Malaysia public schools classrooms. Since Malaysia’s independence, the blueprint for school classrooms were based from the Public Works Department design for all public schools in Malaysia. In this evaluation, daylight is being analyzed to determine its efficiency and functionality in a specified space which for this case will be the classroom. Study shows that most of the classroom in Malaysia, either in schools or higher institutions, the issue of daylighting is not given as a priority and more relying on lighting fixtures. The main reason behind this problem could be the misconception of differentiating between sunlight and daylight characteristics. To understand the quality of the daylighting in the classrooms, case study research method are used to identify and evaluate the daylighting performance. The result of this study shows that the classroom design has achieved the required illuminance level and performs well in terms of welcoming the daylight into the classroom during an overcast sky condition. This research contributes in identifying the problems that causes poor daylighting performance in the classrooms which could be used as a guide for promoting a better understanding about the benefits of daylight to the occupants and by doing so, improving the performance of the classroom through planning and design.