Daylighting

Spring 2008 “Applications in Sustainable Design” Graduate/ Undergraduate Seminar

Daylighting

Perform a daylighting analysis of one of the major spaces in the project. Using the performance analysis capabilities of the simulation software, optimize the daylighting conditions in the space.

• course and project outline

1. To identify either one “major” or one “typical” space in the student’s project in which daylighting is desirable and possible.

2. To develop a daylighting design solution for the space using either: 1) side lighting, 2) top lighting, or 3) a combination of the two (depending on the location, orientation, and size of your selected space, and using daylighting design guidelines and rules of thumb as a starting point.

3. To use the daylighting analysis functions in ECOTECT to optimize the daylighting solution to achieve the following:
• A minimum daylight factor of 2.
• An average daylight factor of 4.
• A maximum ratio or 3:1 between area of maximum daylight and area of minimum daylight

4. To demonstrate the success of the daylighting solution in providing solar control in the overheated period of the year in predominantly hot climate and/or will allow solar penetration in the under-heated period in predominantly cold ones.

5.To generate a Radiance rendering of the space at a suitable day/time to illustrate the effectiveness of the daylight solution.

tudents were required to submit a report describing the analysis process and conclusions supported by images from the ECOTECT and RADIANCE. Conclusions for each project were evaluated by the instructor and exhibited/discussed in class.

Daylighting solutions were evaluated based on their success in achieving the daylighting performance criteria required.
Radiance results were evaluated based on the accuracy of the model as well as the quality of the resulting daylight conditions as shown in the renderings.