Sustainable School Design: Simulation-Based Optimization of Openings and Mass Configuration for Enhanced Daylight and Thermal Comfort

An optimal learning environment requires adequate daylighting and thermal comfort. Optimizing classroom design enhances daylight performance, maintains thermal comfort, and ensures effective natural ventilation, particularly in schools adhering to Indonesia’s lighting standards. This study optimizes openings and building mass configurations to improve daylighting and adaptive thermal comfort. EnergyPlus-based simulations and descriptive statistical analysis evaluate design scenarios, considering window-to-wall ratio (WWR), building height and distance, overhang depth, opening orientation, and airspeed. Results show that increasing WWR improves design flexibility. A 0.9 m overhang requires a minimum WWR of 14.9%, while a 2.5 m overhang (with corridors) needs at least 30% WWR. A north-south orientation and 4-meter building spacing are ideal for one- or two-storey configurations. Window openings of 9.5%–13.5% enhance thermal comfort in naturally ventilated spaces. This study provides guidelines to achieve 80% Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) and maintain thermal comfort for 90% of the time within a temperature range of 27.2°C ± 3°C, offering a framework for sustainable, energy-efficient school design in tropical climates.