Parametric control of multiple blinds to enhance daylighting performance in the dome building: Case study of a mosque building in Saudi Arabia

Clerestory windows encircling the dome are a common feature in mosque architecture. They serve the purpose of allowing daylight to penetrate the spacious interior from all directions through smaller windows compared to side-lit windows. However, maintaining the required uniform daylighting coverage throughout the day in buildings with different directions remains a challenge. The integration of advanced daylighting systems with dome geometry, coupled with parametric control, can significantly enhance daylighting performance. In this research, a novel approach and simplified integrated method for parametrically controlling a multiple blinds system with incremental slat angle in a mosque dome's drum are developed, whereby the blinds in each direction respond independently and parametrically to the sun's movement. Parametrically controlled blinds are installed on the windows around the mosque's dome to maximize the utilization of daylight while preventing direct penetration of solar radiation. Then, the daylighting performance of parametrically controlled multiple blinds was compared to that of conventional blinds and unshaded windows in a typical Mosque in Saudi Arabia during the noon prayer time. The study found that the parametrically controlled blinds can dramatically enhance the daylight coverage inside the mosque from around 38% to 88% for an illuminance range of 150-500 lx, while protecting users from direct sunlight. Promisingly, the system revealed that it can protect worshippers from direct sunlight, minimize potential glare and provide visual comfort.