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Submitted
October 27, 2025
Accepted
January 18, 2026
Published
August 10, 2026
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Abstract

Natural lighting plays a critical role in shaping visual comfort, energy performance, and spatial quality in tropical heritage mosques, where architectural constraints and vernacular materials influence daylight availability. This study evaluates daylight performance in Gunong Kleng Mosque (Masjid Nurul Hidayah), a 1927 vernacular timber mosque in West Aceh, using a simulation-only approach due to limited heritage access. A 3D model was developed in SketchUp and analyzed in the Velux Daylight Visualizer, with illuminance sampled on a 0.5 m grid and Daylight Factor (DF) calculated under CIE overcast-sky conditions. The results show that the prayer hall receives adequate daylight between 09:00 and 15:00, generally meeting SNI 6197:2011, CIE, and SLL benchmarks, with a DF of 1.9%—slightly below the ideal 2–5% range but acceptable for a heritage structure. By contrast, the imam and mimbar zones consistently record low illuminance (≤150 lux) and DF values below 1% due to recessed placement, internal obstructions, and limited lateral daylight penetration. Sensitivity analysis indicates that variations in surface reflectance and window transmissivity moderately affect daylight distribution but do not alter the overall pattern of underperformance in peripheral zones. The findings underscore the need for minimally invasive, reversible interventions such as maintaining roof gaps, enhancing internal reflectance, and introducing discreet upper-level daylight elements to improve visual comfort without compromising architectural authenticity. The study highlights the importance of quantitative daylight assessment for informing conservation strategies and recommends future research that incorporates field measurements and user perception studies.

Keywords

Daylighting Historic mosque Lighting simulation Velux Daylight Visualizer

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Copyright (c) 2026 Teuku Muhammad Al Aiyubi

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How to Cite
Aiyubi, T. M. A., & Sari, L. H. . (2026). Daylighting Simulations of Gunong Kleng Mosque: Implications for Heritage Conservation and Worship Comfort. Journal of Architectural Research and Design Studies, 10(2), 225–234. https://doi.org/10.20885/jars.vol10.iss2.art4
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