In the current context of global energy crisis, mosques exhibit high energy costs both per capita and per unit area relative to other buildings in same region. Despite significant electricity usage, many mosques struggle to maintain comfortable conditions during prayer times due to inefficient building envelopes that require excessive artificial lighting and climate control. Achieving optimal lighting and thermal conditions is essential for creating a suitable ambiance for prayers of worshippers, with windows and openings having a substantial impact on energy efficiency and comfort. Improper penetration of light and heat through opening can cause visual discomfort, disrupt thermal balance through overheating, and increase reliance on artificial lighting and climate control systems, resulting in higher energy consumption. Therefore, finding an appropriate window-to-wall area ratio (WWR) is crucial for designing energy-efficient and comfortable mosque prayer halls, particularly in warm-humid climates like Bangladesh. While many studies have addressed either thermal comfort or daylighting separately with energy efficiency, few have examined these three parameters collectively in mosque buildings. This study aims to determine the optimal WWR for mosque prayer halls that balances thermal comfort, visual comfort, and energy efficiency. A representative mosque in Bangladesh is selected as a case study. A digital model of the mosque's prayer hall is developed using Rhino and Grasshopper software, and ClimateStudio is employed to conduct thermal and daylight analysis across a range of WWRs. The initial phase evaluates the space's thermal and energy performance based on Mean Radiant, Operative and Air Temperature and Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for various WWRs. The subsequent phase assesses visual comfort and energy efficiency using metrics such as Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA), Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE), Mean Illuminance, and EUI. This comprehensive analysis reveals how different WWRs impact thermal and visual conditions within the prayer hall and overall energy consumption. The results are compared and analyzed to identify a balanced choice that enhances thermal and visual comfort while minimizing energy use. The proposed framework seeks to enhance the sustainability of mosque prayer halls in Bangladesh and provides insights into sustainable design practices for similar contexts globally. The findings are expected to contribute to more energy-efficient mosque designs that do not compromise the comfort and wellbeing of worshipers.

In the current context of global energy crisis, mosques exhibit high energy costs both per capita and per unit area relative to other buildings in same region. Despite significant electricity usage, many mosques struggle to maintain comfortable conditions during prayer times due to inefficient building envelopes that require excessive artificial lighting and climate control. Achieving optimal lighting and thermal conditions is essential for creating a suitable ambiance for prayers of worshippers, with windows and openings having a substantial impact on energy efficiency and comfort. Improper penetration of light and heat through opening can cause visual discomfort, disrupt thermal balance through overheating, and increase reliance on artificial lighting and climate control systems, resulting in higher energy consumption. Therefore, finding an appropriate window-to-wall area ratio (WWR) is crucial for designing energy-efficient and comfortable mosque prayer halls, particularly in warm-humid climates like Bangladesh. While many studies have addressed either thermal comfort or daylighting separately with energy efficiency, few have examined these three parameters collectively in mosque buildings. This study aims to determine the optimal WWR for mosque prayer halls that balances thermal comfort, visual comfort, and energy efficiency. A representative mosque in Bangladesh is selected as a case study. A digital model of the mosque's prayer hall is developed using Rhino and Grasshopper software, and ClimateStudio is employed to conduct thermal and daylight analysis across a range of WWRs. The initial phase evaluates the space's thermal and energy performance based on Mean Radiant, Operative and Air Temperature and Energy Use Intensity (EUI) for various WWRs. The subsequent phase assesses visual comfort and energy efficiency using metrics such as Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA), Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE), Mean Illuminance, and EUI. This comprehensive analysis reveals how different WWRs impact thermal and visual conditions within the prayer hall and overall energy consumption. The results are compared and analyzed to identify a balanced choice that enhances thermal and visual comfort while minimizing energy use. The proposed framework seeks to enhance the sustainability of mosque prayer halls in Bangladesh and provides insights into sustainable design practices for similar contexts globally. The findings are expected to contribute to more energy-efficient mosque designs that do not compromise the comfort and wellbeing of worshipers.