Implementation of light shelves and WWR to improve daylight performance in university classroom

Abstract

Daylight plays important role in achieving good Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) because it contributes to human health and optimal working performance. The Engineering Center (EC) building, which is part of Universitas Indonesia in Depok, Indonesia has great daylight potential with an existing design Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR) of 100%. However, this potential has yet to be maximized due to use of artificial lighting during the day. Moreover, the uneven distribution of sunlight entering the room creates some issues (i.e., glares, dazzled, heat and low uniformity level). This research tries to improve this condition by intervening in Window to Wall Ratio (WWR) and adding Light Shelves (LS) in class 101 (facing south) and 102 (facing north). 56 variations of WWR and LS were simulated using Rhinoceros (RH) and Grasshopper (GH) software with plug-ins (Ladybug and Honeybee). The simulation results show three design configurations WWR 60% - LS straight; WWR 78% - LS straight; and WWR 60% - LS curve in room number 102 facing north produce illuminance close to the maximum and minimum threshold for good lighting in the classroom (350 - 500 lx). This study will provide reference strategies for improving daylight performance in university classrooms with tropical climates.