Optimization of lighting design on façades of residential buildings of heritage interest

Lighting in architecture is acquiring special relevance in residential buildings, especially in cities of cultural and heritage interest. The objective of this research was to optimize the lighting design of the residential building named Casa de Doña Jacinta, located in Historic Centre of Córdoba (Spain), included in the World Heritage List by UNESCO. The analysis of three variables was conducted considering the maintenance of its residential activity. The first one, intrusive light minimization through lighting simulation with DIALux validated using a quasi-real model. The second, spatial contrast maximization, via digital metrics, using MATLAB in the rendering images of DIALux. And the third, energy efficiency maximization through average illuminance, power density and utilization factor. In the main module of the building, 302 different luminaire positions were analysed. The resulting algorithm defines the optimal luminaire position and orientation. Considering façade geometric conditions, type of openings and lighting area, this algorithm can be generalized to other buildings. This constitutes an advance in the optimization of these installations towards a more scientific approach that considers variables related to the perception of the illuminated object and, settles a design strategy based on accent lighting and non-uniform distribution of illuminance, greater in solids than in openings.