Daylighting, Occupant Behavior, and Cultural Context in Algerian Collective Housing: A Post-Occupancy Evaluation in Annaba.

Abstract

Reducing energy consumption while ensuring visual comfort is essential for achieving energy-efficient buildings. In this context, understanding occupant behavior (OB) is increasingly recognized as critical. In Algeria, despite its unique climatic and cultural conditions, limited research has examined how occupants interact with natural light in inhabited spaces. This study fills this gap through a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) of eight multi-family residential buildings in the Wed El-Fourcha neighborhood of Annaba. The primary objective is to examine how occupants interact with natural light and identify behavioral patterns that influence its use. A mixed-methods approach was employed: subjective data were collected via a questionnaire and analyzed using Sphinx Lexica, while objective data were obtained through in-situ lux meter measurements. The results reveal a strong preference for areas with low natural light exposure, leading to significant reliance on artificial lighting. This suggests a disconnect between available natural light and actual household activities. Furthermore, OB reflects a nuanced balance between comfort, privacy, autonomy, and social norms, indicating that the relationship with light transcends mere functionality and extends to symbolic and psychological dimensions of spatial appropriation. These findings highlight the need to incorporate actual OB into architectural design processes. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating user behavior into the design of energy-efficient, occupant-centered residential environments. The novelty of this research lies in its combined analysis of cultural, behavioral, and architectural dimensions of lighting use, offering new insights into occupant-light interaction, particularly within the context of Algerian housing, which has been underexplored in existing literature.