An Investigation of Daylight Performance in the Sofa Space of a Traditional Turkish House through Computational Modeling

Abstract

This study investigates daylight performance in relation to the orientation of the “sofa” (living room in a traditional Turkish house) within a digital environment, aiming to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different orientations through quantitative analysis. Natural daylight has long been a critical design criterion in architecture, with building orientation directly influencing interior illumination. In traditional Turkish houses, room positioning was carefully arranged to maximize daylight, and the sofa, used as a socializing and seating area, often received special attention in window design compared to other rooms. The research focuses on the ‘Bey Sokak’ district in Tokat, which preserves the city’s traditional fabric and includes many examples of civil architecture. Daylight analysis was conducted using the Grasshopper program at 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 18:00 on September 21st, December 21st, June 21st, and March 21st. Orientations of 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, and 315° were examined, with the sofa positioned 5° north of alignment. Findings indicate that the 315° (southeast) orientation provides notable benefits. It enhances morning performance, improves uniformity, and offers potential energy efficiency, making it particularly effective for early daylight use. However, limitations include insufficient afternoon light, reduced winter performance, and brightness issues. Overall, the study highlights the significant impact of orientation on daylight performance in traditional Turkish houses. While the 315° orientation demonstrates clear advantages, its drawbacks emphasize the need for balanced design strategies that consider both seasonal and daily variations in natural light.

Keywords

• Traditional Turkish house
• Sofa orientation in a Turkish house
• Daylight performance
• Grasshopper

References

1. Lee, J., and Boubekri, M., “Impact of daylight exposure on health, well-being and sleep of office workers based on actigraphy, surveys, and computer simulation”, Journal of Green Building, 15: 19–42, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3992/jgb.15.4.19
2. Arpacıoğlu, Ü., Çalışkan, C. İ., Şahin, B., and Ödevci, N., “Mimari planlamada günışığı etkinliğinin arttırılması için kurgusal tasarım destek modeli”, Tasarım + Kuram, 16(29): 53–78, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.14744/tasarimkuram.2020.70783
3. Boubekri, M., “Daylighting, Architecture and Health: Building Design Strategies”, Oxford, Elsevier, (2008).
4. Koçak, N. S. Y., Taştemir, İ. A., Köymen, E., and Yasa, E., “Daylight and energy performance relationship of classrooms and office spaces”, in Proceedings of the 9th International Building Physics Conference (IBPC 2024), 332–343, (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-97-8317-5_49
5. Arpacıoğlu, Ü., and Ersoy, H., “Daylight and energy oriented architecture design support model”, Gazi University Journal of Science, 26(2): 331–346, (2013).
6. Acosta, I., Campano, M. Á., and Molina, J. F., “Window design in architecture: analysis of energy savings for lighting and visual comfort in residential spaces”, Applied Energy, 168: 93–506, (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.02.005
7. Çiftçi, M. E., and Arpacıoğlu, Ü., “Gün ışığı yönlendirme sistemleri”, Journal of Architectural Sciences and Applications, 6(1): 59–76, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.30785/mbud.794257
8. Chou, K. C., Shih, S. G., and Liu, S. Y., “Research of the main building characteristics for rotating buildings”, Applied Mechanics and Materials, 638–640: 1660–1665, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.638-640.1660

9. Arseven, C. E., “Sanat Ansiklopedisi”, Istanbul, Maarif Basımevi, (1955).
10. İskender, B., "Geleneksel Türk Evinde Işık Üzerine Bir Deneme", Master's Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, Institute of Science, Istanbul, (1995).
11. Küçükerman, Ö., “Kendi Mekanın Arayışı İçinde Türk Evi”, Istanbul, Apa Ofset Basımevi Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., (1985).
12. Özdeş, G., "Eski Türk şehirleri ve yaşamı üzerine", Yapı Dergisi, 67, (1986).
13. Zaman, M., "Rural dwellings and their geographical distribution in Turkey", ATASOBED, 21(3), (2017).
14. Tunçdilek, N., “Türkiye İskan Coğrafyası”, Istanbul: İstanbul Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Yayınları, (1967).
15. Battal, C., Kazanasmaz, T., and İpekoğlu, B., “Geleneksel konutlarda günışığı aydınlığının değerlendirilmesi: kula geleneksel konutlarında başoda”, Gazi Üniversitesi Mühendislik-Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, 38(3): 1519–1532, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17341/gazimmfd.1024353
16. Sümengen, Ö., and Köknel Yener, A., “Konutlarda aydınlatma enerjisi performansı ve görsel konfor koşulları”, (2013). [Online]. Available: https://avesis.erciyes.edu.tr/yayin/52f9fb46-adf1-4bdd-8fd6-f5d6e475bba8et
17. Michael, A., Heracleous, C., Thravalou, S., and Philokyprou, M., “Lighting performance of urban vernacular architecture in the east-mediterranean area”, Indoor and Built Environment, 26, (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1420326X15621613
18. Oikonomou, A., “Architectural structure and environmental performance of traditional buildings in northern Greece”, BioCultural 2015, (2015). [Online]. Available: https://www.academia.edu/19638176
19. Aykal, F., Gümüş, B., Ünver, R., and Murt, Ö., “Evaluation of re-functioned historical buildings in view of natural lighting”, Light and Engineering, 11: 64–76, (2011).
20. Gecimli, M., “Energy efficiency in traditional Turkish housing”, PEOPLE: International Journal of Social Sciences, 4(2): 1625–1641, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.20319/pijss.2018.42.16251641
21. Şahin, R., and Dinçer, A. E., “Evaluating the design principles of traditional Safranbolu houses”, Buildings, 14(8), (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082553
22. Jovanović, A., Pejić, P., Djorić-Veljković, S., Karamarković, J., Djelić, M., “Importance of building orientation in determining daylighting quality”, Energy and Buildings, 77: 158–170, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.03.048
23. Ahmad, S., Malik, U., Riaz, K., and Saeed, F., “The influence of window orientation on daylight penetration”, Social Sciences Spectrum, 4: 506–516, (2025). DOI: https://doi.org/10.71085/sss.04.01.234
24. De Rubeis, T., Nardi, I., Muttillo, M., Ranieri, S., and Ambrosini, D., “Room and window geometry influence for daylight harvesting maximization”, Energy Procedia, 148:1090–1097, (2018). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2018.08.050
25. Battal, C., Kazanasmaz, T. and İpekoğlu, B., “Geleneksel konutlarda günışığı aydınlığının değerlendirilmesi”, Gazi Üniversitesi Mühendislik-Mimarlık Fakültesi Dergisi, 38(3): 1519–1532, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17341/gazimmfd.1024353
26. Göğebakan, Y., "Karakteristik bir değer olan geleneksel Türk evi’nin oluşumunu belirleyen unsurlar ve bu evlerin genel özellikleri", IJCA, 1(1), (2015). DOI: https://doi.org/10.22252/ijca.105015
27. Eski, Ö. Ö. and Çobancaoğlu, T., “Sofasız plan tipinde türk evi üzerine bir irdeleme”, Tasarım + Kuram, 18(37): 52–69, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.14744/tasarimkuram.2022.70037
28. Doğan, E., “Orta sofalı plan tipindeki Türk hayatlı evinin mekansal organizasyon açısından incelenmesi”, Akdeniz University Journal of the Faculty of Architecture, (2022).
29. Bozkurt, S. G., “19. yy’da Osmanlı konut mimarisinde iç mekan kurgusu”, Journal of the Faculty of Istanbul University, 62(2), (2012). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17099/jffiu.38322
30. Üce, S. and Arpacıoğlu, Ü., “Orta Anadolu köy evlerinde pencere ve işık”, İstanbul Sabahattin Zaim Üniversitesi Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi, 1(2): 38–46, (2019).
31. Eldem, S. H., “Türk Evi Plan Tipleri”, Pulhan Matbaası, Istanbul, (1954).
32. Asatekin, G., “The role of the inhabitant in conservation”, Internet: METU Open Access, https://open.metu.edu.tr/handle/11511/866, (1994).
33. Bektaş, C., “Halk Yapı Sanatı”, Literatür Yayınları, Istanbul, (2001).
34. Demirci, D., “Isparta ilçelerindeki geleneksel konut mimarisi”, SDÜ Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 35, (2015).
35. Erdem, A., “Traditional lantern houses and conservation issues in Boyabat villages”, TÜBA-KED, 21, (2020).
36. Kukaracı, İ. U. and Aktemur, A. M., “Modernleşme süreci içerisinde Erzurum konut mimarisinin geldiği nokta”, GSED, 11, (2010).
37. Önal, R. Ç., “Geleneksel konut mimarisinde iklim ve topoğrafyaya bağlı farklılıklar”, ODÜSOBİAD, 13(1), (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.48146/odusobiad.1242549
38. Dikmen, Ç. B. and Toruk, F., “Geleneksel Göynük evlerinin mekânsal yapısı ve koruma önerileri”, AKÜSBD, 17(1), (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.5578/JSS.8550
39. Sağlam, T., “Geleneksel Erzurum evleri”, Ph.D. Thesis, Atatürk University Institute of Social Sciences, Erzurum, (2019).
40. Bektaş, C., “Türk Evi”, Yapı Kredi Yayınları, Istanbul, (1996).
41. Gülebenzer, S., “Geleneksel Tokat evleri”, MSc. Thesis, Akdeniz University, Antalya, (2016).
42. Gürani, Y., “Examination of natural lighting in vernacular architecture”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 31(2): 359–367, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.35379/cusosbil.1023065
43. İzgi, Ö., “Orta Asya Türklerinin kültür kaynakları”, SEFAD, 2(2), (1983).
44. Güzelci, O. Z., “Amasya Yalıboyu Evleri Üzerine Bir Biçim Grameri Çalışması”, MSc. Thesis, Istanbul Technical University, (2012).
45. Akan, A. E. and Örmecioğlu, H. T., “Anadolu’da geleneksel konut yapıları üzerine bir çalışma: Isparta-Gönen bey konakları”, UTBD, 8(1), (2016).
46. Sojoudihassanlouei, L., “Sıcak-kuru iklim geleneksel konutlarında iklime duyarlı tasarım”, MSc. Thesis, Hacettepe University, Fine Arts Institute, (2020).
47. Çetiner, İ., Tavil, A., Yaman, H. and Coşkun, K., “HiPerWin: Energy and cost effective window selection model”, İTÜDERGİSİ/a, 9(1), (2011).
48. Bulut, İ., Yürüdür, E. and Kazancı, H., “Artova yöresinde (Tokat) yerel iklim bilgisi ve halk takvimi”, Turkish Geography Journal, 61, (2014). DOI: https://doi.org/10.17211/tcd.34961
49. Açıkel, A., Başol, S., Solmaz, A. O. and Hanilçe, M., Tokat Symposium Proceedings, Tokat, (2012).
50. Anonymous, “Clean air action plan of Tokat province”, Tokat Governorship, Tokat, (2020).
51. Erdem, B., “Contribution of tourism on economy: Tokat sample”, Journal of International Management Educational and Economics Perspectives, 3(1): 29–38, (2015).
52. Uzunçarşılı, İ. H., “Tokat Kitabeleri”, Türk Hava Kurumu Basımevi, Ankara, (2003).
53. Turan, O., “Turkey During the Seljuk Period”, 19th ed., Ötüken, Istanbul, (2023).
54. Çolak, M., Türkmen, İ. and Hanilçe, M., “Halkın tarihi ve kültürel bilinç durumu: Tokat örneği”, Sosyal Bilimler Araştırma Dergisi, 12(1), (2017). DOI: https://doi.org/10.19129/sbad.3140
55. Kalkan, S., Yaprak Başaran, E., Çavuş, F. and Özen Yavuz, A., “Tokat geleneksel konut dokusunun biçim grameri”, UNIS Proceedings, 102–108, (2019).
56. Yavi, E., “Tokat”, Güzel Sanatlar Matbaası A.Ş., Istanbul, (1986).
57. Akyüz, A., “Tokat Merkez ve İlçeleri Taşınmaz Kültür Varlıkları Envanteri”, Güneş Matbaa, Tokat, (2010).
58. Çal, H., “Tokat Evleri”, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Publications, Ankara, (1988).
59. Yılmaz, Ş., “Tokat Bey Sokağı Evleri”, MSc. Thesis, Gazi University Institute of Social Sciences, Ankara, (2012).
60. Akropol Engineering Ltd. Co., “Drawing of a traditional Tokat house”, Istanbul, (2023).
61. Liu, K., Xu, X., Huang, W., Zhang, R., Kong, L., and Wang, X., “A multi-objective optimization framework for urban block forms considering daylight, energy consumption and photovoltaic energy potential”, Building and Environment, 242, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110585
62. Aguilar-Carrasco, M. T., Borrego J. D., Acosta, I., Campano, M. A., and Amarillo, S. D., “Validation of lighting parametric workflow tools”, Journal of Building Engineering, 64, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.105608
63. Khidmat, R. P., Fukuda, H., Kustiani, Paramita, B., Qingsong, M., and Hariyadi, A., “Investigation into daylight performance of shading”, Journal of Building Engineering, 51, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104241
64. Silva, A. C. P. S. e and Calili, R. F., “New building simulation method to measure the impact of window-integrated photovoltaic cells”, Energy and Buildings, 252, (2021). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111490
65. Fang, Y., Optimization of Daylighting and Energy Performance, Internet: eScholarship, https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2zs2h81m, (2017).
66. Li, Z., Tian, M., Zhao, Y., Zhang, Z., and Ying, Y., “Development of an integrated performance design platform for residential buildings based on climate adaptability”, Energies, 14(24), (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197133
67. Eriksson, S., Waldenström, L., Tillberg, M., Österbring, M.,and Kalagasidis, A., “Evaluation of daylight factors”, Energies, 12(11), (2019).
68. Uslu, A. and Tuğcu, A., “Sürdürülebilir binalar için güneşlenme süresi”, Kırklareli Üniversitesi Mühendislik ve Fen Bilimleri Dergisi, 10(2): 387–401, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.34186/klujes.1567753
69. Yaman, B., “Performans Tabanlı Parametrik Bina Kabuğu”, MSc. Thesis, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, (2022).
70. Sümengen, Ö. and Şengönül, G., “Investigation of daylight performance”, Journal of Design for Resilience in Architecture and Planning, 3, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.47818/DRArch.2022.v3i3063
71. Climate.onebuilding.org, Internet: Climate Data Repository, https://climate.onebuilding.org, (2025).
72. Reinhart, C. and Walkenhorst, O., “Validation of dynamic radiance-based daylight simulation”, Energy and Buildings, 33: 683–697, (2001).
73. Shirzadnia, Z., Goharian, A. and Mahdavinejad, M., “Designerly approach to skylight configuration”, Energy and Buildings, 286: 112970, (2023). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112970
74. Ershov, S., Sokolov, V., Voloboy, A., and Galaktionov, V., “Effective simulation of spatial daylight autonomy”, GraphiCon 2022 Proceedings, 64–72, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.20948/graphicon-2022-64-72
75. Kunduracı, A. C. and Kızılörenli, E., “Improving daylight availability of classrooms”, Politeknik Dergisi, 1–1, (2024). DOI: https://doi.org/10.2339/politeknik.1266467
76. Zomorodian, M., Korsavi, S. and Tahsildoost, M., “Effect of window configuration on daylight performance”, International Journal of Architectural Engineering and Urban Planning, 26: 15–24, (2016).
77. Szentesi-Nejur, S., “Simulation-based daylight uniformity optimizations”, eCAADe 2022 Proceedings, 639–648, (2022). DOI: https://doi.org/10.52842/conf.ecaade.2022.1.639
78. Galatioto, A. and Beccali, M., “Aspects and issues of daylighting assessment”, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 66:852–860, (2016). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.08.018
79. Dubois, M.-C., “Impact of shading devices on daylight quality”, Energy Building Design, 1103–4467, (2001).
80. Bournas, I., “Daylight compliance of residential spaces”, Building and Environment, 185: 107276, (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107276