Daylight Penetration Research Articles

The Sustainable Configuration Optimisation of Office Multi-Angled Façade Systems

This research paper optimises the configuration of multi-angled façade systems to achieve the sustainability goals of reduced energy consumption and improved indoor climate quality. The concept of a multi-angled façade system is based on proposing the use of two different orientations of windows in each façade on a vertical axis, but not tilted up and down. The large part of the multi-angled façade is oriented more to the north to optimise the use of daylight and the small part more to the south to optimise the use of solar radiation. In order to evaluate the performance of the façade, the software program IDA ICE version 4.8 is used. (EQUA, Stockholm, Sweden). Two groups of scenarios were simulated: the first group consisted of nine scenarios (A1 to A9) that included changing the area and the orientation of the two façade parts, and the second group consisted of three scenarios (B1 to B3) by changing the window to wall ratio (WWR) of these scenarios. According to the results of the simulation, two scenarios from the first group are recommended: A3 for optimal daylight penetration and A7 for optimal energy performance. Regarding the second group, scenarios B1 for optimal daylight penetration and B3 for optimal energy performance are recommended.

BIM-Based Simulation on Sustainable Housing Design Using Autodesk Revit

Abstract In the master plan of Trisakti University Nagrak Campus, the criteria for sustainable buildings are mandatory in its planning. One of the facilities in the master plan is the Lecturer Housing. In the modern era, sustainable housing design is needed because of the high energy consumption in modern housing design. This study aims to determine optimal strategies for implementing the Sustainable housing concept in lecturer housing design. Simulation methods are applied using Autodesk Revit to create the lecturer housing design. BIM models are more accurately analyzed and support the idea of more sustainable designs. Based on the simulation, the maximum power obtained from Photovoltaics is 26.181 kWh/year, saving Energy by IDR 62,102,167.05 on a payback period of 15 years. This design can also harvest 20.174,062 Liters of rainwater per year. In addition, applying solar chimneys maximized the penetration of natural daylight and cross ventilation process. Based on the modeling findings, it is evident that the average building daylight factor is 6.5%, above the minimum need of 5%, which will decrease reliance on artificial lighting during daylight hours. The fin-shaped shading device mechanism can reduce direct sunlight’s glare and radiation, increasing the reflected light that touches the side of the structure. When dealing with big openings, fin shading devices are utilized to get the optimal opening height-to-shade length ratio of 3:2. The rainwater harvesting management system is well-suited for toilet flushing and plant irrigation, and implementing bio pores may significantly enhance excess rainwater soil penetration., and maximize sustainable housing design.

Investigating perforated egg crates as dynamic shading systems for open-plan offices in tropical climates

This study explores the use of perforated egg crates as a dynamic shading system to improve daylight quality by achieving better uniformity in open-plan offices. Glazed curtain walls, although a popular choice in modern open-plan offices, can cause problems especially in tropical climates, such as glare and heat particularly near the windows. As egg crates (EC) generally perform better as shading devices than plain horizontal or vertical systems, this study simulated three different combinations of perforated, solid, overlapping and non-overlapping egg crate models for an existing open-plan office building in Indonesia. Daylight measurements of the existing horizontal shading device without any egg crate (NO-EC) were first recorded. Subsequent simulations of non-overlapping perforated (EC-NP) egg crate models with different blade widths and blade rotation angles in accordance with the sun elevation angles on specified working hours were performed. Similar simulations were then performed for two combinations: other combinations of overlapping solid (EC-OS) and overlapping perforated (EC-OP) egg crate models. Finally, a full-scale site mock-up of the EC-NP and NO-EC were tested under real-life climatic conditions. Results show that EC-NP provides better uniformity than the other two combinations, which is within the range of 0.59–0.99. This is due to the deeper penetration of daylight achieved by the overlapping placement of the horizontal blades in front of vertical blades, while keeping the building envelope shaded.

Design Adjustments For Daylighting and Visual Comfort in a Classroom with Conventional Shadings

This paper evaluates how design adjustments applied to roller shades and louvres (namely the height of the shadings head and the angles of the louvre slats) can improve their annual and spatial effectiveness to provide autonomous daylight levels, reduce daylight glare problems, and offer views outside. The strategies were analogous to the rule of thumb that relates the window head height with the depth of daylight penetration. Climate-based daylight simulations were performed to calculate the Useful Daylight Illuminance, spatial Disturbing Glare, and View Factors in a classroom located at a 19° latitude. Temporal maps were included to assess the shadings’ performance not only over space but also over time. Results showed that roller shades performed better when they were applied letting the top of the window clear. On the contrary, louvres performed better when they covered the entire glazing. It is concluded that simple design adjustments can greatly improve the daylight and visual performance in buildings.

Enhancing visual comfort in staircases: A comprehensive analysis and design recommendations

Abstract People should be walking towards the inside of the dwelling through an appropriate visual environment in transitional space; this environment is the staircase in the collective housing. The proper understanding of visual adaptation parameters in the staircase helps architects provide a suitable environment for inhabitants. This paper aims to specify design elements of the staircase in collective housing, to achieve a visual comfort in this transitional space. The work involved two approaches: field measurements and a visual comfort survey using a questionnaire; 144 questionnaires are collected, in four residential buildings with different staircases treatment in the city of Arris, Algeria, to examine the illuminance levels in different staircase positions along the path from outside the building to inside, in summer and winter where illuminance ratios were calculated and compared with CIBSE Code. The discomfort sensations ranged from "subtle” to "dramatic”. The results show that a staircase with the percentage of opening of 88% indicated "strong" and "dramatic" visual shock in many points and as this staircase is open, it is exposed to light conditions and so it does not ensure the necessary transition. This leads to advising against the open staircase. In the case of a staircase treated with transoms of clear glass with the percentage of opening of 11%, these transoms direct the light to specific areas creating "strong" visual shock in many points of the stair landings and hence it leads to advise against that. The staircases treated with vertical bays throughout the façade presenting a percentage of opening between 19% and 22%, these treatments allow the penetration of daylight in a diffused way which ensures a balanced distribution of daylight inside the staircases. The existence of a solid overhang at the entrance; the façade treated with vertical bays, where the percentage of opening of the façade is about 19% and 22%, provided adequate transition leading to reasonable visual comfort.

Using Building Orientation to Promote Sustainability

Maximizing energy efficiency and overall performance is paramount in sustainable architectural design. Building orientation is proving to be a cornerstone of strategy in achieving these goals. This paper explores the critical role of building orientation in promoting sustainability in the built environment. It delves into the complex relationship between the layout and placement of structures and their impact on energy consumption, natural lighting and occupant comfort. The orientation of the building is carefully designed to interact harmoniously with the elements of the environment, especially the path of the sun and the prevailing winds. By strategically arranging structures, architects and designers can use natural resources to minimize energy demands and optimize building performance. For example, the right orientation can harness solar energy for passive heating and cooling, reducing reliance on mechanical systems and reducing carbon emissions. In addition, the orientation of the building deeply affects the distribution of natural light in the space. By strategically orienting openings such as windows and skylights, designers can maximize daylight penetration, reduce the need for artificial lighting and increase visual comfort for occupants, thoughtful building placement can mitigate glare and solar heat gain, promoting a more comfortable indoor environment while minimizing reliance on energy-intensive cooling systems.

Optimization of the building-integrated transparent photovoltaic configuration based on daylight and energy performance in school buildings in the tropics

Introduction: Numerous previous studies addressed the use of vertical facades for side lighting. They were found to be an effective daylighting aperture that helps to establish a pleasant environment, improve academic performance in schools, and promote better health. Recent studies also identified the potential for using vertical facades on high-rise buildings as building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems thanks to the large available area. In the tropics, this potential use is also supported by the availability of abundant solar energy. The technology of transparent PV (TPV) offers the opportunity to meet both needs. It serves as a side lighting aperture and building-integrated transparent photovoltaic (BITPV) depending on several factors, such as the visible transmittance (VT) value and the number of cells. For side lighting, a higher VT value is required to allow for optimal daylight penetration. However, more cell numbers and lower VT are preferable for BITPV. Previous studies found that BITPV is suggested for buildings with a window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of 45 % or more, which seems too high for tropical buildings where the suggested WWR is typically in the range of 30–40 %. Purpose of the study: This study aims to find the optimum configuration and present a systematic method for optimizing BITPV for tropical school building facades. Methods: An experimental approach using simulation as a tool was employed to achieve the objective. A site with a typical school layout in the tropics was selected as the research context. Treatment based on VT and cell numbers was applied to create several post-test models. Results and discussion: In the tropics, when using low-transparency TPV, BITPV with 31.25 % WWR and 30 % cell coverage ratio is found to provide the optimum visual health and comfort, as well as energy performance. Meanwhile, BITPV with 31.25 % WWR and 50 % cell coverage ratio is found to be the optimum configuration when using high-transparency TPV. Furthermore, this study presents a systematic method for designing BITPV for a multi-story school building in the tropics.

PENILAIAN FAKTOR CAHAYA SIANG DI BILIK KULIAH POLITEKNIK KUCHING SARAWAK

The simplest form of description for the distribution, penetration and intensity of daylight is called the Daylight Factor (DF) which results from natural light (sunlight), the DF value is written as a percentage. This value is the ratio of the internal brightness at a point in a room to the natural external brightness on a horizontal surface. As a guide, the brightness inside the building and the associated distribution can be classified according to the natural daylight factor. The necessary natural daylight factors are lighting, glare and thermal comfort. Aspects of classroom lighting and decoration that can promote discomfort and affect task performance due to glare, and flicker (illumination waves above 100 Hz) that cannot be seen from fluorescent lighting. The focus of the study is to measure the level of natural daylight in the classroom. The main purpose of the study was due to students' complaints about the glare and discomfort of the lecture room. The equipment used is lux meter, anemometer and measuring meter. The results of the study show that the lecture room has a level of illumination that meets the standards, glare that cannot be seen and is acceptable for thermal comfort. The sky condition during the study was 100% cloudy with cloud cover. The average illuminance in the lecture room is 276.5lux in a cloudy sky situation (standard 5000-20000 lux) and the daylight factor (DF) of the day is 1.2 in the range of 1.00 to 3.5. The conclusion for this study shows that the daylight factor from natural light in the lecture room at the academic building of Politeknik Kuching Sarawak achieves acceptable standards for lighting, glare and thermal comfort, referring to the MS1525 and CIBSE A standards.

Dating fractures using luminescence

Rock fracturing (cracking) is a universal process that drives and limits chemical degradation, sediment production and erosion, and deterioration of infrastructure. Despite extensive research gains in rock mechanics on one hand and geochronology on the other, there remains a glaring gap in our ability to understand the long term evolution of natural, in situ fractures. Here we develop a novel fracture exposure dating technique, grounded in modern advances in luminescence geochronology. We apply our new dating method to a granitic boulder from a glacial outwash terrace in California, US. We conclude that the longest, clast-splitting E-W fracture appeared shortly after the boulder's deposit, whereas the secondary N-S fracture appeared 5 ka after the deposition, approximately correlating with the Last Glacial Maximum and Younger Dryas periods of the region, respectively. However, dating of the third fracture (<< 50 µm width) which does not fully split the rock, is ambiguous due to negligible daylight penetration and poor determination of fracture width. The fracture dating method presented herein brings with it the potential to decipher relationships that are crucial for the interpretation and modeling of, for example, long-term landscape and atmospheric evolution relating rock weathering to climate change and erosion.

Daylight Analysis in Terms of Building Direction and One-Way Roof

The location of the buildings in the residential area is very important in protecting or benefiting from sunlight. The dynamic structure of the sun, which constantly changes according to time and seasons, directly affects the building's architecture and urban formation. Ignoring the sun's use of the structures during the construction of the buildings can cause significant disturbances to the residents. Daylight strategies, which are also influenced by climate, depend on the availability of natural light, determined by the latitude of the building site and the instantaneous conditions around the building. High latitudes have different summer and winter conditions, with lower daylight levels in winter. At these latitudes, designers often aim to maximize daylight penetration in buildings. In the tropics, where daylight levels are high throughout the year, the design emphasis is often on preventing overheating by limiting the amount of sunlight entering the building. Daylight availability depends not only on latitude, but also on the orientation of a building, and each facade and material of the building requires a different design importance. Therefore, daylight and architectural design strategies are two inseparable phenomena. In this respect, examining traditional architecture and successful natural lighting designs in the past is very useful for understanding climate-balanced building design. For this purpose, determining the roof slope according to the sun angle in architectural structures by calculating according to the location provides efficiency in many issues from energy efficiency to human health.

Improving daylight performance of residential light wells in dry-cold climate: Optimization and sensitivity analysis

The decrease in non-renewable energy resources of the world and subsequent air pollution regarding the utilization of fossil fuels has led to various actions and solutions to reduce these adverse effects. A sustainable design approach, especially in the first phases of the design, is one of these solutions to preserve the environment and reduce energy demand in residential buildings. Amongst renewable energy resources, daylight plays a vital role in providing energy demands in buildings. The use of daylight for lighting purposes leads to numerous economic and environmental advantages. The light well is one of these solutions that provide natural light into the buildings as well as natural ventilation. This study aims to increase the lighting function in a residential building in dry-cold climates. To achieve this goal, this paper, through a sensitivity analysis, investigates various parameters that could increase the daylight inside the buildings. Also, selected parameters will be optimized by using the genetic algorithm. The study results show a 40% increase in daylight penetration into the building compared with the current light well.

Façade design of side-lit spaces for different climates and surroundings by machine learning and NSGAIII

This work aims to propose a simplified decision tool for the design of side-lit spaces that accounts for the impacts of climate and surroundings. The framework was developed using a smart optimization algorithm NSGA-III in combination with CatBoost ensemble machine learning technique and simulation. WWRs and overhang depths were optimized to maximize daylight penetration, minimize glare risk and reduce energy demand in different climates, orientations, space proportions, and surrounding obstruction angles. Besides, optimal solutions were used to determine the range of attainable targets for daylight, glare, and energy metrics in each climate, which can be used as requirements of national codes and standards. For example, for WDR = 3:2 and an OA of 20, energy demand varied between 260 and 266 kWh/m2, ASE remained at 40–50%, and sDA was reported 100% for south-oriented cases in Tehran. A sensitivity analysis was also performed to provide insights into how various design parameters affected daylight and energy performance in architectural spaces. The results revealed that daylight availability metrics were highly sensitive to the Window-to-Wall Ratio (WWR), while glare metrics were primarily affected by obstruction angle. Energy consumption was mainly influenced by room depth, WWR, window orientation, and obstruction angle. Notably, these parameters ranked similarly across all considered climates, albeit with varying degrees of significance. Results were presented in the form of guide charts that offer a practical tool for designing buildings in highly obstructed contexts and enable non-programmer architects and designers to make informed decisions.

Comparative Study of Natural Lighting Quality in Sharia Housing Based on Daylight Factor Evaluation Using Autodesk Revit

The Islamic residential concept is the famous tagline that several real estate developers chose for their housing products today; it attracts customer attention, primarily from the Muslim community. But only some housing products are suitable to all the ideal criteria of the Islamic Residential concept. Excellent Sharia housing must fulfill all Islamic residential concept requirements, including public facilities, open space, and building quality. The strategy of the ideal Islamic housing concept requirement is optimal natural light and ventilation in the entire room. The inner courtyard is one of the solutions to afford this strategy. The types of openings also affect the daylight penetration in a room. Autodesk Revit Simulation evaluates this research about the daylight factor aspect of Islamic housing in Sharia housing. The research method is a qualitative, quantitative, and comparatively mixed method. The minimum requirement of daylight factor for housing is 5%. The study object shows that in the case of Medina Residence 1, it sufficiently offers the most daylight factor affordability in a Sharia housing project. The research hypothesis is to maximize the daylight factor by modifying several types of windows and adding skylight openings to increase the daylight factor of the entire room. Increased wall window ratio and more inner open spaces are the solutions for the minimum size of the building site. In the case of Medina residence 1, the skylight opening can be applied, but the effect is less significant than making more openings facing the open space.

Integration of Daylight Use and Analysis in Double Skin Facades: A Literature Review

Double skin facades (DSF) aim to save energy reducing the heat losses in buildings. They are visually appeal while allowing to use daylight efficiently. Such facade systems can reduce glare and distribute daylight evenly in the interior when compared to conventional facade systems. That is a result of cavities between two glass facades and locating sunshading elements in them, although this system provides a high level of transparency. As their primary purpose of application is to ensure thermal performance and ventilation, most studies in literature have focused on these. However, to construct and maintain a holistic point of view in building performance, researchers and professionals need to take into account the integration of daylight use and analysis in such facades. This study aims to analyse daylight performance implemented studies in relation to these systems and presents a comprehensive and recent review on integration of daylight use and analysis. Recent studies are shown in tabulated form and interpreted in detail with graphics. considering their methodologies, daylight parameters and findings. Results show that the daylight parameter is one of the most important issues that architects or designers should consider from the moment they start the design, and they should make their designs based on the optimum penetration of daylight into the building. This review can contribute to literature in calling attention to daylight studies in DSF. It provides feedback information on how recent researches and technological developments in DSF can let them benefit from daylight more efficiently. That makes more and further improvements in such facade system design. Thus, DSF helps to build an integrated building performance approach in achieving sustainability.

Performative driven form finding in the early design stage

One of the most crucial factors architects should consider in building energy performance design is the energy consumption of residential buildings, particularly in megacities such as Cairo. Oxman classifies that a five-paradigmatic design model can help architects generate building forms. In this study, the authors aimed to develop a form-driven design framework based on a generative design model based on shape grammar that allows architects to generate building forms based on rules, which generate the building through variables that act as genes in the fitness function. The results indicate a significant framework that can help architects select the optimum building form that saves energy by enhancing daylight penetration and thermal and cooling loads on a building. Furthermore, after optimizing radiation and cooling load metrics, the form generated significant block and balcony arrangements, enhancing the shading in the eastern, western, and southern facades. In addition, the northern façade has been developed without block projections or balconies. Finally, the optimum window-to-wall ratio generated to balance spatial daylight autonomy (SDA) and annual sunlight exposure (ASE) lighting metrics for the north facade is 60% and for the southern, western, and eastern facades 10%.

Illumination of Interior Spaces through Structures Made of Unified Slabs of High-Performance Light-Transmitting Concrete with Embedded Optical Fibers.

Light-transmitting concrete as a building material already exists in many forms, but its light properties and the possibilities of using it to improve the lighting of interior spaces have not been investigated in detail yet. This paper focuses on the illumination of interior spaces using constructions made of light-transmitting concrete, which will allow light to pass between individual spaces. The experimental measurements carried out are divided into two typical situations using reduced room models. The first part of the paper focuses on the illumination of the room through the penetration of daylight through the ceiling made of light-transmitting concrete. The second part of the paper investigates the transmission of artificial light from one room to another through a non-load-bearing dividing structure composed of unified slabs of light-transmitting concrete. For the experiments, several models and samples were created for comparison. The first step of the experiment was to create slabs of light-transmitting concrete. While there are many options to produce such a slab, the best option is to use high-performance concrete with glass-fiber reinforcement, which improves the load transfer properties, and plastic optical fibers for light transmission. By adding optical fibers, we can achieve the transmission of light between any two spaces. For both of the experiments, we used reduced-scale models of rooms. Slabs with dimensions of 250 × 250 × 20 mm and 250 × 250 × 30 mm were used in three versions: concrete slabs with optical fibers, concrete slabs with air holes and solid slabs. The experiment measured and compared the level of illumination at several points in the model as it passed through each of the three different slabs. Based on the results of these experiments, it was concluded that the interior level of illumination of any space can be improved by using light-transmitting concrete, especially those without access to natural light. The experiment also assessed the strength properties of the slabs in relation to their intended use and compares them with the properties of stone slabs used as cladding.

Exploring energy consumption for less energy-hungry building in UK using advanced aerogel window

A common strategy for employing net zero energy buildings (NZEBs) in the United Kingdom (UK) to achieve the national target for 2050 is improving the thermal insulation in glazing units to reduce the space heating load. This study examines the impact of aerogel technologies as an effective strategy for window retrofits under the UK climate. Eleven samples of granular and monolithic aerogel windows were selected across various literature to illustrate the optical properties and thermal characteristics of each glazing structure. In Falmouth, UK, a two-story residential building was selected for simulation to assess the thermal efficiency of various aerogel systems as alternatives for standard double-glazing systems. Results revealed that aerogel technology has high potential in increasing the total solar heat energy through windows by occupying high SHGCs up to 0.738 and low U-values down to 0.381 W/m2K. Monolithic aerogel has more energy-saving potential and can allow greater daylight penetration compared to granular aerogel with a visual transmittance of up to 69%. Increasing the WWR can help reduce the heating load of the building but can also cause the cooling loads to increase from internal overheating. The south-facing facade of the building where most of the windows were present experienced higher cooling loads, indicating that the addition of aerogel glazing causes overheating during summer periods. Applying aerogel for window insulation could increase the total window heat transfer by up to 33% and reduce heat demand by 15.5% compared to a standard double-glazing system. As a result, aerogel technology can prove to be a viable option for decreasing the building energy demand for space heating in the UK.

Curve Optimization for the Anidolic Daylight System Counterbalancing Energy Saving, Indoor Visual and Thermal Comfort for Sydney Dwellings

Daylight penetration significantly affects building thermal-daylighting performance, and serve a dual function of permitting sunlight and creating a pleasant indoor environment. More recent attention has focused on the provision of daylight in the rear part of indoor spaces in designing sustainable buildings. Passive Anidolic Daylighting Systems (ADS) are effective tools for daylight collection and redistribution of sunlight towards the back of the room. As affordable and low-maintenance systems, they can provide indoor daylight and alleviate the problem of daylight over-provision near the window and under-provision in the rear part of the room. Much of the current literature on the ADS pays particular attention to visual comfort and rarely to thermal comfort. Therefore, a reasonable compromise between visual and thermal comfort as well as energy consumption becomes the main issue for energy-optimized aperture design in the tropics and subtropics, in cities such as Sydney, Australia. The objective of the current study was to devise a system that could act as a double-performance of shade and reflective tool. The central aim of this paper is to find the optimum curve that can optimize daylight admission without an expensive active tracking system. A combination of in-detail simulation (considering every possible sky condition throughout a year) and multi-objective optimization (considering indoor visual and thermal comfort as well as the view to the outside), which was validated by field measurement, resulted in the optimum ADS for the local dwellings in Sydney, Australia. An approximate 62% increase in Daylight Factor, 5% decrease in yearly average heating load, 17% savings in annual artificial lighting energy, and 30% decrease in Predicted Percentage Dissatisfied (PPD) were achieved through optimizing the ADS curve.

Investigation of daylight performance in traditional residential buildings in the context of EN- 17037 standard - Sivas Hubiyar Korucu Mansion

Daylight is an integral part of our lives as the most important element in places. Efficient and appropriate use of daylight reduces the need for adequate illumination of the volumes and artificial lighting. Today, windows that are not designed correctly cause energy waste by increasing the use of artificial lighting instead of natural lighting. The seriousness of this situation is increasing today and regulations and standards regarding daylight use are published. The disappearance of this traditional Turkish architecture has also reduced the effective use of natural light. Study is focused on daylight penetration in traditional Turkish houses in the context of EN-17037 and a traditional Turkish house evaluated as case study. Natural lighting measurements of the selected building were calculated using the daylight simulation program, at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00 for the months of March 21, June 21, September 21, and December 21 under average sky conditions. In line with the results obtained from the simulation program, the illumination levels (Lux), daylight factor (DF) and daylight performance classification (%) of the spaces are presented. As a result of the evaluation made in the context of EN 17037 standard, attention was drawn to the importance of openings as windows in traditional Turkish houses. And additionaly, architectural similarities and differences with the contemporary building is highlighted in results.

Overheating in the Attic Space Classroom in Summer

Abstract The presented study deals with the space located in the attic of an older building after reconstruction. Originally, the attic space was not used, as it did not have sufficient headroom. The reconstruction was designed in such a way that the entire original pitched roof was gradually raised by 1.2 meters in parts, creating a full-fledged space under the pitched pitched roof. The visual connection of the interior space with the exterior was ensured by continuous strips of vertical windows around the perimeter of the building, each window measuring 600x600 mm. The space is also illuminated by several skylights at roof level, which, although they ensure sufficient penetration of daylight from above into the interior, at the same time allow for considerably unpleasant overheating. The task was to find a way to optimize the size of transparent surfaces and determine the accumulation of building structures in order to achieve an acceptable cumulative effect of daylight and overheating, i.e., permissible increase in indoor air temperature in summer. It means trying to theoretically design a suitable and comfortable interior space in the attic in an already existing building.