Children's Thermal Comfort and Passive Thermal Performance of Semi-Outdoor Classrooms in a Tropical Climate
Keywords:
Thermal Comfort, Children, Tropical Climate, Passive Thermal Performance, Semi-Outdoor ClassroomAbstract
This study investigates passive thermal performance and children's thermal comfort in semi-outdoor classrooms in Aceh, Indonesia, integrating physical environmental measurements, thermal perception surveys, and thermal imaging observations. Measurements were conducted over three consecutive days across six classrooms (C1–C6) at Aceh Islamic Nature School, encompassing air temperature (Ta), relative humidity (RH), air velocity (Va), Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT), and Effective Temperature (ET). Thermal perceptions were collected through a seven-point Thermal Sensation Vote (TSV) questionnaire administered simultaneously to 37 students and homeroom teachers during morning and midday sessions. Results indicate that although air temperature reached 34.3°C and MRT exceeded tropical comfort thresholds during midday, ET values remained within 25.0–28.0°C, reflecting the important role of passive design elements, including natural ventilation, shading, and vegetation, in mitigating perceived heat loads. The shift in students' thermal perception from neutral in the morning toward warm during midday aligned with rising ET and MRT values, yet remained within tolerable limits. The study further identifies a gap between students and teachers; the findings suggested a tendency for teachers to perceive students' thermal discomfort differently, particularly during midday, which may be related to physiological differences between children and adults. These findings underscore the importance of explicitly positioning children's thermal perceptions as the primary reference in managing learning environments within tropical climates.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Aci Astriana, Abdul Munir, Laina Hilma Sari , Siti Norbaya Mohd Konar (Author)
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