Transition Planes for Visual Comfort: Out View with Complex Fenestration System Design at Restaurants in Spain

Urtza Uriarte,Jose Miguel Rico-Martinez,Rufino J Hernández,Joan L Zamora

doi:10.3390/en14071906

Urtza Uriarte, Jose Miguel Rico-Martinez + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/en14071906

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Abstract

This work deals with daylighting for quality indoor atmospheres, considering building skins. In recent years, almost all retrofit facades of restaurants are highly glazed façades, boosting glare, sun ray absorption and overheating inside. Most of the time, they are not integrated with daylight control; therefore, lighting and out view requirements are not so balanced. Taking into account this daylighting complexity, an alternative façade system is proposed to simulate by Radiance. Previously, perception simulations are compared with measured data, in order to discretize the simulations. In addition, for one point three different view are assessed as: work plane, relation plane and the out plane. Subsequently, two virtual façade models, windows combined by complex fenestration system (CFS) as prismatic film (PF) and highly glazed façade, are tested according to daylighting. For that, three indexes have been used: daylight glare probability (DGP), daylight glare index (DGI) and daylight autonomy (DA). The results show that the proposed complex façade has a good light contribution with less absorption, while maintaining the outside view. In addition, the DGI is needed to test the out plane, because DGP is more suitable for lower luminance; therefore, each visual plane should be assessed regarding different visual comfort conditions, or parameters and methods. Accordingly, the mean DGI result of window combined by CFS is approximately lower in 5% than highly glazed façade. However, the DA of highly glazed is higher in 5%, but the DA of window combined by CFS is enough, above 80%. Definitely, the complex scene at restaurant with the proposed integrated façade system improves light performance and indoor atmosphere.

Highlights

It is already well known that daylighting is healthy for the wellbeing of the human [1]
Two virtual façade models, windows combined by complex fenestration system (CFS) as prismatic film (PF) and highly glazed façade, are tested according to daylighting
The aim of this study is to assess the CFS combined by frame window at restaurant, in order to balance light contribution and visual comfort with outside view, which is in high demand in this restaurant activity

Summary

Introduction

It is already well known that daylighting is healthy for the wellbeing of the human [1]. It is not easy to obtain an accurate balance between light level and light perception, which configure visual comfort [2]. In this context, another high demand parameter is outside view [3]. Another high demand parameter is outside view [3] Many times, this outdoor view strongly affects indoor light balance, especially when highly glazed façades are used. Large homogeneous transparent façades cause difficulties to manage direct, reflected and diffuse daylight along the space [4]. The various light components that build a complex scene are hard to equilibrate with a highly glazed façade. It is probable that these complex atmospheres need more complex façade designs in order to achieve light balance and avoid glare

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Results

Conclusion