Beyond illuminance: daylighting performance and occupant satisfaction in tropical high-rise offices

Abstract

Despite abundant solar availability in tropical regions, achieving effective daylighting in high-rise office buildings remains challenging because measures used to control glare and solar heat gain may also reduce daylight access. This study evaluated daylighting performance and occupant satisfaction in four tropical high-rise office buildings in Makassar, Indonesia, using a mixed-method post-occupancy evaluation (POE) based on the IEA SHC Task 21 framework. The study combined illuminance measurements, surveys, observations, and interviews. Results indicated generally positive daylight satisfaction, although significant differences were observed among buildings. Regression analysis identified Basic Lighting Characteristics and Work Performance & Comfort as the strongest predictors of overall satisfaction (R2 = 0.527). While 57.5% of occupants preferred natural lighting, 50.8% reported occasional glare. Occupant satisfaction exhibited a nonlinear relationship with measured illuminance levels; buildings with either very high or low illuminance achieved favorable ratings when lighting quality and adaptive control were perceived positively. These findings suggest that occupant responses depend not only on daylight quantity but also on daylight stability, controllability, and visual comfort. The study extends the IEA SHC Task 21 framework to equatorial office environments and highlights the need for tropical-specific daylight performance criteria integrating occupant perception and daylight metrics.

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