@inproceedings{4058db36-d159-4748-9341-b23bb589ef7f,
  abstract     = {{In dense urban housing, particularly at high latitudes, the provision of direct sunlight creates a critical trade-off between its value as a residential amenity and the need to ensure occupant comfort and energy-efficient performance. This study investigates indoor sunlight preferences through a national survey in Sweden, providing updated empirical evidence for residential building design. The findings reveal a significant appreciation for direct sunlight, with 90% of residents wanting sun in their homes. However, this desire is conditional, defined by a hierarchy of priorities and a strong seasonal dynamic. When ranked against other qualities, abundant natural light and a pleasant view out were considered more important than direct sunlight. This conditionality is underscored by a concern for summer overheating, which appears more prominent than in similar studies from previous decades. A key contribution of this paper is a practical, function-based guide that translates these nuanced preferences into recommended room orientations. The results call for a design approach that moves beyond maximizing static solar access towards creating flexible, user-controlled<br/>environments that align with modern comfort expectations.}},
  author       = {{Czachura, Agnieszka and Gentile, Niko and Kanters, Jouri and Wall, Maria}},
  booktitle    = {{Proceedings of the Solar World Congress 2025}},
  isbn         = {{978-3-9826306-1-8}},
  keywords     = {{direct sunlight; urban planning; building design; Sweden; daylight; residential}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{International Solar Energy Society}},
  title        = {{Sunlight at Home: Exploring Preferences and Their Impact on Building Design}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/260212063/2026-Czachura-swc2025.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.18086/swc.2025.08.24}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}