EFFICIENT DAYLIGHT

DESIGN; PASSIVE DESIGN

STARTEGY

• Thermal Sciences Research Report :2020

ABSTRACT
The energy efficient design of daylighting is intended to reduce electric & cooling load.
Daylight and sights generate a sturdy connection to that place and time. Various positive
impacts include reduced stress level, increase in productivity, effective attentiveness, and
healthy cheerful circadian rhythms. A certain level of visual comfort is required to achieve
proper working conditions and sunlight is having lesser heat per unit of light as compared to
electrical lighting. So, a proper design and orientation of windows can help a significant
decrease in lighting as well as cooling loads if need of electrical lights usage is reduced. Lesser
cooling loads leads to decreased and less expensive HVAC setups. There are many other
controlling factors as well, including geographic location, zones as per the climate, type of
glazing & properties of the wall itself. The main objective of energy efficient lighting passive
strategy is to enhance the quality and efficacy of lighting by less energy consumption. Achieved
decreased amount of energy usage (kW & kWh) as a result of reduced cooling & lighting loads
is the prime objective of passive lighting design. In this paper an insight will be explored to
efficient passive lighting design.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 4
2. objective of passive daylight design ...................................................................................... 4
2.1. What is passive daylighting? ........................................................................................................ 4
2.2. Benefits of Efficient Daylight Design ............................................................................................ 4
2.3. Human Need of Quality Daylighting ............................................................................................ 5
2.4. Non­visual effects of daylight ...................................................................................................... 5
3. methodology .......................................................................................................................... 5
4. discussion & explanation ....................................................................................................... 6
4.1. Building Footprint ........................................................................................................................ 6
4.2. Climate responsive Window to wall ratio .................................................................................... 6
4.3. High Performance glazing ............................................................................................................ 7
4.4. Optimized Design Fenestration.................................................................................................... 7
4.5. Skylight Design ............................................................................................................................. 8
4.6. Tubular Daylight ........................................................................................................................... 8
4.7. Light Shelves................................................................................................................................. 8
4.8. Shading Devices ........................................................................................................................... 9
4.9. Interior Design ........................................................................................................................... 11
5. Application of discussion ..................................................................................................... 11
6. conclusions & recommendations ......................................................................................... 12
7. Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 13

LIST OF FIGURES and TABLES

Figure 1 Lighting Shelves ....................................................................................................................... 9
Figure 2 Shading Devices ..................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 3 Daylight Strategies ................................................................................................................. 12

Table 1 Glass to Floor Area Guidelines .................................................................................................. 7

Table 2 Glazing for Different Applications ............................................................................................ 8

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1. INTRODUCTION
Controlled entry of natural daylight, direct solar rays and diffused skylight is called proper
daylighting resulting in reduction of electrical & cooling loads. Provision of direct connection
to the active & continually developing patterns of outside illumination, helps in creating a
positive, healthy, visually active environment for the building users, also causing one third
reduction in building operational energy cost.

A combination of passive and active lighting system is designed for efficient daylight usage.
So, the efficient passive lighting design takes the lesser energy consumption for artificial
lighting. Moreover, the fenestration, or windows location is designed in such a way that a direct
sun rays on work surface can be avoided to aid visual comfort to the occupants. To achieve this
objective glare reduction devices e.g. blinds, louvers & shades are installed as required. These
devices allow the entry of light as required & block the entry of direct heat associated with
solar rays. Furthermore, it’s not only availability of such elements but an integrated design
approach is required which includes proper design and location of windows etc., addressing to
each orientation needs as caused by solar movement in that particular climate & altitude.

2. OBJECTIVE OF PASSIVE DAYLIGHT DESIGN

2.1. What is passive daylighting?
A passive daylighting design collects solar light in such a way that darker areas can be become
brighter with even distribution of light in all room. Main element is that passive design strategy
does not need any mechanical equipment. It collects light with sun rise and reflects it evenly
in all areas of building. Intelligent use of sky lights, windows, mirrors, lightening tubes, and
light shelves is design strategy by architects, which collects light and reflect in all areas of each
room as desired. For instance, if any area is in dark space where no window is possible then a
reflecting light strategy from well-lit area can be used for daylight efficient usage. Passive
lightening strategy is valuable for owner and for user as well. Good lightening effect at low
energy consumption & at end low operational cost, is the key benefit of that.

2.2. Benefits of Efficient Daylight Design

Overall human health is associated with a proper light exposure for achievement of daily tasks
and a certain level of darkness is also required for a healthy deep sleep. However, our body
needs the stimulated effect of morning light as day startup. Morning light is a basic human need
for making physically active body and enhanced performance at every day start. A high level
of performance and proper night sleep pattern is achieved by appropriate usage of sunrise to
sun set light. Lack of efficient lighting design causes in unavoidable negative impact on human
health resulting a huge loss in overall economy with least efficient man power.

Proper usage of daylight in built environment is a strong architecture target for a sustainable
building design. From several decades of years significant studies has been conducted in
achievement of these objectives.

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 2.3. Human Need of Quality Daylighting
Design of well-lit environment is based on human psychological effect associated with visual
effect caused by perception. It consists of human eye system adaptation with bright light, direct
light, diffused and symmetrical light. These factors include circadian (non-visual) human
system.

• Circadian rhythms are of prime importance for good human health. So, a properly day
lit space is that which visually & psychologically gives satisfaction to human sight
system at low mechanical consumption of energy.
• Visual need is that level of lighting, which is required for proper working of human on
certain area. These visual needs are satisfied with many elements and proper attention
is focuses on central vision, peripheral vision, area of space, shape and material color
& properties. These factors are justified with appropriate size & level, and orientation
of windows.
• Visual Comfort includes free movement of sight at all places in the area, without getting
distraction from any glare from any point. If any place is lacking of visual comfort, it
will induce eyes irritation, stress, fatigue and headache. Poor brightness and low
contrast, high varying luminance and light flickering are mainly causing visual
discomfort. A proper daylight strategy will avoid glare at certain point with effective
distribution of sunlight will avoid issues associated with electrical luminance. A too
high or very low contrast can cause unfavorable effects on human health, which is not
the case if sunlight is used for indoor lighting.
• Undesirable glare by solar lighting is controlled by proper shading devices. Reflection
causing glare is used positively to lit the whole room area, instead of dropping on a
specific point.
2.4. Non-visual effects of daylight

• Human nervous system and endocrine hormonal system have a great influence by
exposure to day light. Daylight is not only a stimulus to create visual pictures but it also
helps to regulate many body functions. Circadian rhythms, associated with mental clock
of human perception, which starts with sunrise deep sleep in dark is also regulated by
proper exposure to day light.
• Many researchers’ have proved the fast recovery of hospital patients where building is
designed with proper daylight. A sufficient increase in office worker’s output on
shifting to a well-lit building and remarkable difference of student’s attitude and
concentration, resulting in enhanced positive results, has been proved if building is
designed with passive daylight strategy.
3. METHODOLOGY
Each building is unique, so different customized passive daylighting strategies are used
depending on building location and climate. The main objective of passive daylight design is
to collect solar light & use it as desired, resulting in low mechanical operational cost. Certain
elements considered by architects, for efficient daylighting includes, Orientation of the
building, Windows location, windows size n design, skylights, clerestories, external shading
system, light shelves, solar tubes, light wall colours and parametric modeling are strategies for
daylight designing. In this paper an efficient and in-depth study is conducted to find the design
strategies for appropriate daylighting.

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4. DISCUSSION & EXPLANATION
An efficient daylight design not only satisfies enough daylight but it also ensures the minimum
possible acceptance of undesirable effects like heat gain. A balanced solution with heat gain
and heat loss control, controlled glare, appropriate variations in intensity are the result of a
successful passive daylight design Appropriate window size, proper type of glazing, accurate
height of window, proper design of shading device all are examples of daylight design
elements.

One or more of the following points are considered for efficient daylighting design.

• Optimized design of building footprint

• Window to wall ratio, considering climate needs of the area
• Efficient performance glazing
• Daylight optimum fenestration design
• Accurate design of skylight
• Daylight reflective devices
• Solar Shading devices
• Daylight considered interior colour & Furniture scheme
4.1. Building Footprint
Building footprint design can be considered only for new projects. Increased North & South
exposed elevations & decrease in east & West elevation is recommended. A maximum 6 feet
depth from south orientation to north orientation is viable for proper daylight. Façade facing
maximum orientation to south is best for light and solar control and a maximum deviation of
allowed angle is 15degree on either side.

4.2. Climate responsive Window to wall ratio

With the building sited properly, the next consideration is to develop a climate-responsive
window-to-wall area ratio. Although excellent-performance glazings lack insulation ratings
close to construction walls, dimensions of window should be a designed considering a balance
of light admission and thermal effects such as in very cold or hot climate. The american society
of heating, refrigerating, and air conditioning engineers (Ashrae) provides guidance on such
ratios considering climate zone in standard 90.1, which are primarily slight for thermal
performance and consider less admission of daylight.

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Table 1 Glass to Floor Area Guidelines

4.3. High Performance glazing

A high-efficient glazing system allow more light to enter and less heat as compared to typical
window, which allows daylight with least negative cooling or heating load. Such glazings are
generally designed as a double insulated window unit, with two 0.25 in. (6 mm) thick layers of
glass that have an air gap of 0.50 in. (12 mm). A high level of insulation, or r factor is obtained
by such windows as compared to single panel ordinary window. A n insulation coating with
thin transparent film also increases r value.

4.4. Optimized Design Fenestration

An optimized daylight fenestration design also increases the functionality of effective
daylighting, in addition to appropriate glazing. There are two aspects of window design. One
is admittance of daylight and second is visibility of the occupant. A common rule is that if
window head is high it will lead to deeper penetration of day light. So, effective daylighting
fenestration design dictates two different types of windows.one for increased view and one for
increased light exposure. A daylight window is having a head of 7 ft., 6 in. and starting from
finished floor level high tvis (50% to 75%); where a view window will surely have a low head
rise with tvis of less than 40% in many climates. Aperture location, can become a great
decision-making factor for window size.

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Table 2 Glazing for Different Applications

4.5. Skylight Design

Most of the daylight design include skylights as a great source of light from top. Many sky
lights are double glazed and provided with insulation. Some skylights are also designed with
mirrors which throw lights down as required. Mirrors are controlled and that kind of skylight
comes in active design strategy. It is used to control thermal effects with cooling load control.
Most of the sky lights are passive which induce light by a clear or diffusing material, mostly
acrylic. Day light penetrates well thru sky lights and are specially designed with double layer
and insulation inside.

4.6. Tubular Daylight

Tubular daylight are also a way of light design from top of the building. These are reflective
channels installed on roofs and light is redirected into tubes. Theses tubes are fitted on ceiling
of the building. Size of tubular lights is very small as compared to the sky lights but it causes
a huge decrease in lighting load. Such devices control glare of solar beams and redirect them
as desired.

4.7. Light Shelves

Light shelves are devices which reflect solar beams to the ceiling of the room, from where it is
reflected to the room evenly. These light shelves are installed above the view height from where
high rays are redirected and not only glare is controlled but a greater penetration depth of rays
is increased.

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 Figure 1 Lighting Shelves
4.8. Shading Devices
Careful design of window also includes appropriate shading device. Which can obstruct high
glare beams and allow light rays to enter thru glazing evenly. These solar shading devices can
be horizontal or vertical louvers and blinds. Orientation of shading device and its length is
designed as per the orientation. These are mainly called overhanging.

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A

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 C

Figure 2 Shading Devices

4.9. Interior Design

A great impact factor for efficient day light design is interior color scheme for even distribution
of day light. Not only color but interior wall heights, in case of cubicle, finishing materials,
furniture layout, curtains colors and interior layout are important aspect to be considered. For
example, cubicle partition wall will be limited in height, specifically if running parallel to the
south elevation, enclosed cabins will be kept to a minimum, and a high reflective ceiling will
help to "reflect" and spread the redirected solar light rays more evenly. Appropriate positioning
of work surfaces far from the south elevation, can have a better thermal effect as compared to
working surfaces near to south façade and will have need of small shading device in result of
sitting at appropriate distance.

5. APPLICATION OF DISCUSSION

• Site Maximization on east west axis, locating high priority rooms on north and
south facing can cause effective control in day lighting.
• Integration of design not only for windows but considering all effective measures.
Shading by trees, light dimmers and every possible factor for energy efficincy
should be integrated in all building active & passive systems.
• On south facing Light shelves can be used and on north side high windows can
increase day light capture capacity with less increase in cooling load.
• South-side roof monitors with appropriate vertical glazing on south facade,
interior baffles and accurately sized overhangs will create symmetrical lighting
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 with less contrast, providing daylight in those spaces which are far from the
building perimeter.
• Roof monitors can only be used on single floor story roof or on top roof of
multistory building.
• South facing roof monitors light colored material for roof will reflect solar light
towards glazing. Accurately placed roof monitors on south side reduces 30%
decreased need of solar monitors.
• Clear difference between view and light windows should be adopted. Because a
10% to 40% reduction in light transmission with less-e coatings exists, 10% to
40% more glass need in attaining the same daylighting benefit. Cost of light shelf
should be considered when high visibility is required.

Figure 3 Daylight Strategies

6. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

• Provide a daylighting scheme that works under the range of sky conditions
expected at that location.
• Orient building on an east-west axis
• Brighten interior surfaces.
• Organize electric lighting to complement daylight.
• Provide daylight controls on electric lighting.
• Commission the daylighting controls.
• Core Daylighting; central atrium or light well for daylighting

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7. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Architects, H. (n.d.). Passive Daylighting Systems Could Transform the Architecture of

Natural Ligh. Retrieved from https://hmcarchitects.com/

Brown, T. (n.d.). Best Practices in Daylighting & Passive Systems for Smaller Commercial
Buildings. Re-Arch:The Initiative for Renewable Energy in Architecture .

Burns, L., & Kabak, M. (2014, february 25). Lighting by Passive & Active Solar Use Design
. San Diego, California, USA.

Nicklas, M. (2008). Daylighting Strategies that maximizes Benefits. High Performing

Buildings, Spring 2008. ©Copyright 2008 American Society of Heating, 30-41.

Robinson , A., & Selkowitz, S. (2013).

Tips for Daylighting with Windows. Environmental Energy Technologies Division,
Berkeley National Labortary.

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