Lighting performance of urban vernacular architecture in the East-Mediterranean area: Field study and simulation analysis

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the natural lighting performance in indoor and semi-open spaces of urban vernacular architecture in the Mediterranean region. In vernacular architecture, natural lighting was the main source of light available and was largely achieved through the central courtyard. In this framework, an in-depth lighting performance analysis was carried out in a typical and representative traditional urban complex in the walled city of Nicosia, Cyprus. In-situ lighting measurements, as well as software simulations, were employed in order to assess the lighting performance of the building complex. The study has shown that lighting levels of semi-open and indoor spaces on the first floor are sufficient; whereas, the dense urban fabric, and the introverted character of vernacular architecture, create certain limitations to the lighting levels in indoor spaces of the ground floor. On the other hand, the positive impact of the inner courtyard to the lighting levels of semi-open and indoor spaces has been verified.