Designerly optimization of devices(as reflectors)to improve daylight and scrutiny of the light-well’s configuration

One of the most effective ways of transmitting daylight into deep-plan buildings is to generate light-well for spaces away from the facade and window-less spaces.Among the limited methods of improving daylight efficiency in light-wells are reflectors that,as a surplus member of the wells,can aid in this improvement.A scrutiny of the light-well’s configuration can give a correct perception of the performance of the well’s walls with increasing the reflection coefficient to the designers in deciding where to install the openings,selecting the transmittance coefficient of glass,etc.In this paper,the main focus is designing and optimizing daylight assist devices on light-wells that can hierarchically reflect light from the sky to the bottom of the well(Device 1)and then emit into the desired space(Device 2).The research highlights that it is necessary to find a proper strategy for the devices regarding to the optimization process.The research design results in a comprehensive standard solution for different latitudes.The simulations were performed by Honeybee Plus version 0.0.06 and Honeybee-Ladybug version 0.0.69-0.0.66,which has the ability to simulate annual daylight performance at certain periods.Due to the maximum and minimum altitudes at any latitude,the study required time-criteria throughout the year.As a result,a cross-sectional study was carried out at two critical times:the first period(P1)and the second period(P2).Daylight metrics for analyzing configuration as well as evaluating devices are E’max,avg(illumination)and SHA(hour/m2).The DA’300 and DA’max2000 metrics were selected to measure daylight efficiency and glare risk,respectively,and the sDA is for the amount of floor area that uses enough daylight.Also,to better percept how to prepare improved-daylight at lower levels(especially for the performance of devices),the daylight autonomy has been reduced from 50%to 40%and a metric such as sDA’t40 has been created.

A computational approach for achieving optimum daylight inside buildings through automated kinetic shading systems

Parametric architecture can be used to improve design quality by integrating and coordinating design components,and any change in one parameter affects the final design.Daylight is a crucial parameter in designing energy-efficient buildings.In this research,daylight inside a building was improved by designing a kinetic shading system with independent units parametrically responding to sunlight through 3D rotation(around the centers of the units)and 2D movement(on the surface of the shading system).Various patterns were determined to create the unit’s basic form and allow the designer to have a wide range of options.The units were defined with the plugin“Grasshopper.”Their rotation was parametrically controlled on the basis of sun path and weather data by using“Honeybee”and“Ladybug”plugins to provide constant optimized daylighting inside the building.Results showed that the use of such a shading system in optimal situations can greatly increase the efficiency of indoor daylight.