NATURAL DAYLIGHTING IN IRANIAN HOT AND ARID REGION

The rebirth of daylight buildings that are also in harmony with the local nature has been one of the most important issues which might be considered at the forefront of design and planning of the public and private buildings. Electric light can overheat interior spaces even in winter, particularly in hot-arid regions; daylighting can be considered as one of the most effective strategies to reduce the cooling load in buildings. The identification by traditional architects and builders of problems that existed in the use of natural lighting in desert regions will be explored as a living workshop. Many devices and elements have been planned and could be created in order to control the sun’s penetration and at the same time to make the best use of daylight. Use of daylighting in building design, particularly in sunny regions, could help in the economic revitalization of existing settlements, in raising prosperity of different socio-economic classes and in environmental sustainability of energy conservation.