A thesis report on the importance of daylighting in vocational training centers dealing with metal works

1. JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
AND TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDING
SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES
KIOKO SAMUEL MUMO
ABS211-0018/2019
THE IMPACT OF DAYLIGHTING IN TVET INSTITUTIONS
TO ENHANCE VISUAL
COMFORT AND SUSTAINABILITY IN KENYA

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ABSTRACT
Daylighting design is an art of mediation: between the specific daylight conditions on a
given site and the comfort requirements of the building users, between qualitative design
goals and measurable physical quantities, and between the different levels on which
daylight influences human beings and their productivity. Natural light has both visual and
non-visual effects. This research aimed to investigate and explore the impact of natural
lighting in learning environments, focusing on Technical and Vocational Education and
Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya. The study also aims to understand the impact of
daylighting strategies on visual comfort and sustainability in these educational facilities.
Inadequate daylighting can have adverse effects on student performance, energy
consumption, and the overall well-being of occupants. To address this issue, this report
examines various daylighting strategies, including architectural design, building orientation,
glazing technologies, and control systems. By analyzing case studies and conducting
simulations, we identify potential solutions to enhance visual comfort, reduce energy
consumption, and promote sustainability in TVET institutions in Kenya.
INSPIRATION
“We are born of light. The seasons are felt through light. We only know the world as it is
evoked by light.”
~ Architect Louis Kahn

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Kenya play a vital
role in equipping the workforce with the skills required for various industries. With the
current government efforts to build these training centers across the country in large
numbers, there’s a need to ensure these facilities not only offer knowledge and skills but
also address environmental concerns and offer appreciative learning space. The quality
of education and the overall learning environment in these institutions are influenced by
various factors, including the physical attributes of the buildings. One crucial aspect is
the provision of adequate natural daylight, which significantly impacts visual comfort and
sustainability.
Daylighting refers to the controlled admission of natural light into a building's interior
spaces. It has been shown to have a profound effect on the well-being and productivity
of occupants, making it a critical consideration in educational settings. Additionally,
proper daylighting can reduce energy consumption by minimizing the need for artificial
lighting and cooling systems.
This study aims to investigate the impact of daylighting strategies in TVET institutions in
Kenya. It addresses the architectural design considerations, glazing technologies,
daylighting control systems, and their combined effect on visual comfort and
sustainability. Through case studies and simulations, this study offers various possible
practical solutions to enhance daylighting in TVET institutions.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
The research problem addressed in this study is the insufficient implementation of effective
daylighting strategies in TVET institutions in Kenya. Many of these institutions struggle with
inadequate lighting, which can negatively impact the learning environment, increase energy
costs, and compromise sustainability goals. This research aims to investigate the impact of

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daylighting strategies on visual comfort and sustainability within TVET institutions and
propose feasible solutions to address existing challenges to bridge the gap between
existing literature on natural lighting strategies and the practical architectural solutions and
building science in the design of a Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET)
institution.
1.3 STUDY OBJECTIVES
1.3.1 GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To determine how natural lighting strategies can be applied in the design of TVET
institutions to enhance the visual comfort of students while improving the sustainability of the
training facility.
1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
• To assess the current state of daylighting in TVET institutions in Kenya.
• To explore architectural design considerations that can improve daylight penetration.
• To evaluate advanced glazing technologies for enhancing daylighting.
• To analyze daylighting control systems and their role in optimizing visual comfort.
• To provide recommendations for enhancing daylighting and sustainability in TVET
institutions.
1.4 STUDY VARIABLES
1. Independent Variable: Natural lighting
2. Dependent Variable: Visual comfort, Sustainability.
1.5 STUDY ASSUMPTIONS
The effect of natural lighting is uniform to all occupants.
There is little consideration of the design of natural lighting strategies.

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1.6 STUDY SCOPE
1. Geographical Scope
The scope of the research is limited to Jkuat Main Campus- Juja, Kiambu.
2. Theoretical Scope
The study will be confined to architectural aspects only concerning natural lighting in the
learning environment, focusing on TVET institutions. It will investigate various strategies for
achieving natural lighting in indoor spaces such as lecture classes and workshops to create
conducive and sustainable learning spaces.
3. Methodological Scope
Various research design methods will be adopted to achieve the set study objectives. The
methods include: -
a) An extensive review of similar and related works and studies previously done in
other journals, books, magazines, and other written publications.
b) Analysis of existing workspaces in beach resorts both locally and internationally.
c) Sketches and illustrations will be used to show how various natural lighting
strategies and techniques are used to bring out the different concepts of
planning, visual comfort design, and sustainability. The use of photographs to
show works of architecture that show natural lighting will also be included.
1.7 STUDY LIMITATIONS
Time Constraints: Limited time to carry out research and documentation as the time
allocated for the study is not adequate.