Human-plant centric shading control: Considering the impact of shading systems on both occupants’ and plants’ requirements

Abstract

Traditionally, control strategies are applied to automate switchable electrochromic glazing systems (EC) to save energy and provide comfort for occupants indoors. In addition, the plants’ minimum requirements and the consequences of active shading on the supplemental artificial lighting for plants should be considered when designers want to embrace Biophilic design. This paper introduces a simulation workflow to evaluate the impact of shading activation on both human and plant requirements year-round using combined climate-based daylight (Radiance) and building energy simulation tool (TRNSYS). Finally, the simulated total electricity demand for supplemental lighting for plants in a prototypical office room in temperate climate condition are presented and discussed under different control strategies.