Improving Daylight Quality and Energy Optimization in Different Climatic Conditions Using a Kinetic Façade Inspired by Traditional Iranian Orsi Windows

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mohammad Hossein Kariminejad 1
Morteza Rahbar 2
Reyhaneh Sadat Tabatabaei Yeganeh 2
1 iran university of science and technology
2 Department of Architecture, school of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tehran University of Science and Technology, Iran
10.48311/bsnt.2026.120982.82945
Abstract
Aims: Nowadays, the global energy crisis represents one of the most fundamental challenges within the construction industry, significantly increasing the necessity for implementing optimization strategies to ensure environmental protection and enhance occupant thermal comfort. In this regard, the strategic utilization of natural daylighting holds pivotal importance in architectural design due to its profound positive psycho-physiological impacts. Although kinetic facades are recognized as highly efficient solutions for light and energy management, many existing studies have overlooked their cultural dimensions and their specific performance across diverse climatic conditions. Therefore, this research aims to propose a kinetic facade model inspired by traditional Iranian Orsi patterns and investigates its daylighting performance and energy efficiency across four distinct climates: Tehran (temperate), Yazd (hot-arid), Tabriz (cold), and Bandar Abbas (hot-humid).
Methods: A courtyard-style building was modeled using Design Builder software, and the kinetic facade performance was analyzed across six specific configurations: full-glass, full-Orsi, vertical, horizontal, and 45-degree angled variations. After identifying the models with optimal daylighting performance, a comprehensive energy consumption analysis was conducted in the four selected climates and compared against a baseline model.
Findings: The results indicate that the proposed facade generally reduces energy consumption; specifically, reductions of 12% in Yazd, 10% in Bandar Abbas, 9% in Tehran, and 4% in site energy in Tabriz were recorded. However, in Tabriz, source energy consumption increased by 3%.
Conclusion: The Orsi-inspired kinetic facade demonstrates superior performance in warmer climates, offering a viable strategy for daylight control and energy optimization.
Keywords
Daylight Quality
Energy Efficiency
Kinetic Façade
Orsi Window
Design Builder
Climate
New Architectural Technologies
Sustainability
Energy Efficiency
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 05 June 2026
  • Revise Date 25 July 2026
  • Accept Date 08 August 2026