Standardization of methodology for optimizing the well aperture as device (reflector) for light-wells; A novel approach using Honeybee & Ladybug plugins

Abstract

Urban congestion and the multiplicity of floors of buildings within densely populated cities have significantly reduced natural light penetration into spaces, especially in deep-plan buildings. One way to bring daylight into the spaces in deep-plan buildings is to prepare light-well to bring natural light to window-less spaces. The more light penetration into the bottom of the well depends on two main factors; reflection coefficient and configuration geometry, which this paper is focused on geometry specifically. Geometry can provide better performance as a reflector if it corresponds to the direction of the sun’s rays and sun path. In this study, using Ladybug plugin capabilities in Grasshopper parametric environment and in-depth study of the sky matrix, timelines are set to determine the main optimization indicators. This paper’s main purpose is to scrutinize the light-well configuration through a hierarchy of troubleshooting and finding advantages to prepare an optimization solution of adaptation of configuration with direct sun beams. For the optimization solution, by studying five latitudes that can cover low, medium and high-latitudes, a method has been developed that standardizes this solution as a comprehensive method. In other words, standardization of a methodology as an optimization solution for all latitudes. In order to implement and validate the methodology, a latitude is considered the basic-location (Tehran). Sun facing-wall on the well’s aperture in the role of a reflective device, with an angle of 65° and the other walls, are optimized with an angle of 70° in order to no shading (basic-location). The improved-model by the optimization methodology shows an improvement of the lower floors in DA’300, DA’150 and UDI’100 <X<2000 indices two times, compared to other models.