Evaluation of Daylight Quality, Visual Comfort, and Energy Performance in Nordic Museums: A Case Study of Malmö Konsthall

Abstract

This thesis investigates daylight performance and energy use in museum environments using Malmö Konsthall as a case study. The aim is to evaluate daylight quality, visual comfort, artwork protection, and energy performance, and to explore how these aspects can be balanced through design strategies. The study combines field measurements, climate-based daylight simulations, energy simulations, and a visitor survey. Daylight performance was assessed using Daylight Factor (DF), Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI), Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA), Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE), Daylight Glare Probability (DGP), and annual average illuminance on artworks. Energy simulations were conducted to evaluate heating demand and the influence of building envelope and lighting conditions.

The results show that the existing daylight conditions provide high daylight availability but result in excessive illuminance on several artworks. To address this issue, daylight improvement strategies, including partial skylight blocking and façade glazing modifications, were investigated. These measures reduced artwork illuminance levels and improved visual comfort while maintaining sufficient daylight within the exhibition space. The visitor survey indicated that the lighting environment was generally perceived as comfortable and visually pleasant, complementing the simulation-based analysis. From an energy perspective, building envelope improvements reduced heating demand by 16%, demonstrating the importance of integrating daylight and energy considerations in museum design.

Overall, the study demonstrates that achieving a balance between daylight quality, artwork protection, visual comfort, and energy efficiency requires an integrated design approach. Although the study focuses on Malmö Konsthall, the findings provide broader insights into the challenges of balancing daylight availability, artwork conservation, and energy performance in Nordic museum environments.

Popular Abstract

Museums face a unique challenge when it comes to lighting. Visitors need enough light to comfortably view artworks, but excessive light can damage sensitive objects over time. At the same time, museums aim to reduce their energy use and environmental impact. Finding a balance between these competing requirements is particularly challenging in Nordic countries, where daylight conditions vary greatly between summer and winter.

This study investigates how daylight affects visual comfort, artwork protection, and energy performance in museums, using Malmö Konsthall in Sweden as a case study. The building is well known for its extensive use of natural daylight through large skylights and façade windows, making it an interesting example of daylight-oriented museum design.

The research combined computer simulations, on-site measurements, and visitor surveys. Daylight simulations were used to evaluate how daylight is distributed throughout the exhibition space, while measurements and questionnaires provided information about actual lighting conditions and visitors’ perceptions of the environment. Energy simulations were also conducted to examine how different daylight and building-design strategies influence energy use.

The results show that Malmö Konsthall provides high levels of natural daylight and generally comfortable visual conditions. However, some areas receive more light than recommended for artwork conservation. The study found that relatively simple design measures, such as modifying skylights and façade glazing, can reduce excessive light exposure and improve visual comfort while still maintaining good daylight availability. In addition, improvements to the building envelope can reduce heating demand and improve overall energy performance.

Although the study focuses on a single museum, the findings are relevant to museums throughout the Nordic region. The results demonstrate the importance of evaluating daylight quality, visual comfort, artwork conservation, and energy performance together rather than separately. By adopting an integrated approach, museums can create pleasant visitor experiences while protecting valuable collections and reducing energy consumption.

• author: Chen, Jiaying and Alhamada, Nahla
• supervisor: Marie-Claude Dubois
• organization: Division of Energy and Building Design
• course: AEBM01 20261
• year: 2026
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Museum, Daylight, Skylight, Top lighting, Sunlight, ClimateStudio, Rhino, Daylight factors, Heating load, Energy performance
• language: English
• additional info: Authors Jiaying Chen and Nahla Alhamada contributed equally to the article.
• id: 9235568
• date added to LUP: 2026-06-11 15:08:40
• date last changed: 2026-06-11 15:08:40