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Effect of Passive Design Strategies on Indoor Environmental Performance

Abstract

The study examines the effect of passive design strategies on indoor environmental performance, with emphasis on how architectural features that respond to climatic conditions influence the quality and comfort of indoor spaces. Passive design strategies involve the use of building orientation, natural ventilation, daylighting, shading, appropriate building materials, thermal mass, and other design approaches that reduce dependence on mechanical systems. Understanding their contribution to indoor environmental performance is important for achieving comfortable, healthy, and energy-efficient buildings. The study will assess selected passive design strategies and their relationship with indoor environmental conditions. The assessment will consider features such as window and opening configuration, shading devices, building orientation, natural ventilation provisions, daylighting, wall and roof characteristics, and material selection. Indoor environmental performance will be examined using indicators such as indoor air temperature, relative humidity, air movement, natural illumination, and occupants’ perception of thermal and visual comfort. A descriptive cross-sectional research design will be adopted for the study. Selected buildings will be assessed using an appropriate sampling technique based on the presence and variation of passive design features. Data will be collected through physical observation, building measurements, environmental monitoring, photographic documentation, and structured questionnaires where necessary. The collected data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while appropriate comparative and inferential techniques will be applied to determine the relationship between passive design strategies and indoor environmental performance. The study is expected to reveal variations in indoor environmental conditions among buildings with different levels and combinations of passive design strategies. Buildings incorporating effective shading, adequate openings, suitable orientation, and appropriate daylighting provisions are expected to demonstrate more favourable indoor conditions, including improved ventilation, reduced excessive heat gain, and better natural illumination. However, the effectiveness of these strategies may vary according to building form, material properties, occupancy patterns, surrounding structures, climatic conditions, and the way occupants operate building features. The findings will be useful to architects, building designers, urban planners, property developers, facility managers, and other professionals involved in the planning and management of buildings. The study will provide information on the contribution of passive design approaches to indoor environmental quality and may support the development of more climate-responsive and energy-conscious building designs. It may also assist in identifying design features that can improve occupant comfort while reducing reliance on mechanical cooling, ventilation, and artificial lighting. The study will conclude by establishing the effect of passive design strategies on indoor environmental performance and identifying the design approaches that are associated with more favourable indoor conditions. It is recommended that passive design principles should be considered from the early stages of building planning and integrated with appropriate building materials, orientation, openings, shading, and ventilation provisions. Further studies involving different building types and climatic conditions are also recommended to strengthen the available knowledge on passive environmental design.

Keywords: Passive design strategies, indoor environmental performance, passive design, thermal comfort, natural ventilation, daylighting, indoor air temperature, relative humidity, air movement, solar shading, building orientation, energy efficiency, building performance, occupant comfort, climate-responsive architecture.