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The new building of the department of architectural engineering at UAE University introduces a rare form for such a type of function, especially in desert climate. This created an incentive to investigate its performance with regard to daylighting. The study depends mainly on experimental research approach under actual sky using scaled architectural physical models. Based on previous study by the author, it was decided to test two design modifications. These are the adding of external reflective light shelf (in different slopes) to improve the daylighting level and visual comfort in the back space of the first floor studio and the replacement of the current transparent glazing in the existing skylights with a diffusing translucent glazing to improve visual comfort in the third floor studio. Quantitative analysis was conducted based on measurements taken using lighting photometric sensors that were distributed in several locations inside the model. Qualitative analysis was also conducted to assess the visual environment and the presence of glare inside the studio spaces using photography. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.