Insufficient daylighting can negatively affect working quality and productivity and increase lighting energy consumption in buildings. Particularly, the western orientation has a non-uniform daylighting distribution, especially at the zone next to the window resulting from the unequal radiation distribution of sunlight. Therefore, this study presents an innovative system known as Integrated Kinetic Fins (IKF), which can respond parametrically to the sun’s movement; to enhance the daylighting distribution during the late working hours for the western façades and decrease the high illuminance daylighting spots near the windows. The study optimizes the fin parameters based on a selected territory; then, the fi angles are automatically controlled. The IKF is applicable in regions with clear skies and low solar altitudes. Finally, a comparison between a traditional kinetic system and the IKF is made, and the results are reported. The system shows an enhancement of daylight distribution during these late hours, where the contrast has been improved by 22% and uniformity has been enhanced by 10%, which consequently contributes to reducing potential glare.

The major drawback in hot climate zones is the high intensity of solar radiation, which produces undesired solar heat gain and influences indoor daylighting dispet the advantage of having enough natural lighting. Several attempts have been made to use Mashrabiya as an environmentally friendly architectural design element. This study presents a new methodology for optimizing parameters of parametric Mashrabiya oriented to the west in a hot arid climate in Cairo, Egypt. The study concentrates on the pattern parameters (Lattice) in the body part of the Mashrabiya, so it uses parametric design and simulation techniques to reach an optimal geometrical parameter for the patterns, which enhances the indoor daylighting and builds an Associative model for the Mashrabiya. The study also aims to investigate the influence of each parameter to find effective parameters on daylighting. Grasshopper for Rhino is used to generate the parametric variations. Ladybug and honeybee -Grasshopper plugins-for daylighting simulation. The methodology includes field experiments and simulation. The result of the study shows a significant impact of some parameters rather than others. Some cases achieve the required daylighting, which proves the advantage of using parametric Mashrabiya in façade treatment for sufficient daylighting in hot arid climates.

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This study explores the potential for making lightweight bricks via the use of dry, pulverized spent mushroom materials (SMM) as a thermal insulator. There are five distinct replacement proportions of SMM that are used, and they range from 0% to 15% of the weight of the clay. The firing of the fabricated bricks at temperatures of 700, 800, and 900 °C led to the development of pores on the interior surface of the bricks as a consequence of the decomposition of SMM. The impact of SMM on the physicomechanical characteristics of fabricated bricks is assessed based on standard codes. Compressive strength, bulk density, and thermal conductivity decreased as the SMM content increased, reaching up to 8.7 MPa, 1420 kg/m3, and 0.29 W/mK at 900 °C and 15% substitution percentage. However, cold water absorption, boiling water absorption, linear drying shrinkage, linear firing shrinkage, and apparent porosity increased with the increase in SMM, reaching 23.6%, 25.3%, and 36.6% at 900 °C and 15% substitution percentage. In the study simulation model, there was a significant improvement in energy consumption, which reached an overall reduction of 29.23% and 21.49% in Cario and Jazan cities, respectively.