Daylighting simulation as means for configuring hospital intensive care unit windows under the desert clear skies

This paper reports on a research that aims at identifying acceptable window configurations that suit the requirements of hospital Intensive Care Units located in the desert. It aims at achieving daylight adequacy and visual comfort in a typical assumed ICU space, in Cairo, Egypt. Annual simulations were conducted using Diva-for-Rhino, a plug-in for Rhinoceros modeling software that was used to interface Radiance and Daysim. Six window-to-wall ratios were investigated; in addition the effect of adding shading and daylighting systems was examined. Successful window configurations were recommended for the different window to wall ratios, for each of the four main orientations.