Abstract

Daylighting is an important factor in interior design affecting the functional

arrangement of spaces, occupant comfort (visual and thermal), structure and
energy use in buildings. Good quality of daylight provides not only a more
attractive and pleasing atmosphere in interiors, but also creates a better indoor
environment to improve working performance. From the energy and cost-
saving viewpoint, the arguments for daylight are also strong. However, very
little research work focusing on its energy performance has been done
systemically for high-rise building development.

This dissertation establishes systematic methods to evaluate daylighting and

its energy performance for commercial buildings in a dense urban area.
Building energy standards were studied and evaluated to identify salient
features and useful experience. A performance-based building energy approach
was adopted to evaluate daylighting and building energy performances using
computer simulation techniques.

Building envelope design parameters namely window-to-wall ratio and light

transmittance of windows, and height of 0BAbstract ii external shadings were
found significantly for predicting the energy performances, for instances
annual building energy expenditure and peak electrical demands. Detailed
assessments of building energy performance due to various daylighting
schemes and envelope designs were further conducted. Using regression
analysis, it was found that the annual incremental electricity use, incremental
peak electricity use and incremental peak cooling plant demand are a function
of overall thermal transfer value and daylighting aperture. Sets of curves to
indicate electricity usage and peak energy demands under different building
envelope parameters were developed.

The external environments play a significant role in daylighting designs. This

dissertation investigates the shading effects due to nearby obstructions when
daylighting schemes are being employed. Analysis of electricity savings was
carried out for the four perimeter zones (north, east, south and west) of the
whole building and individual floors. Correlations of building energy savings
and the angles of obstructions were developed. It was found that shading
effects due to nearby obstructions strongly affect the building energy budget
when daylighting designs are used. To extend the consideration of all the
design variables together (i.e. building envelope parameters and external
elements), multiple regression analysis was performed. A general form of
energy equations was developed to help relate building energy performance to
various daylighting schemes. Such an advanced technology can maximise the
energy saving for daylighting schemes on existing commercial buildings.
Recently, the thin film 0BAbstract iii coatings for window glass products have
been very suitable for installation of existing buildings for undertaking major
refurbishment which provides a means of substantially reducing heat gain
without proportionally reducing daylight transmittance. Measurements were
undertaken for evaluation of the daylighting performance and energy issues
(lighting and cooling) in a fully air-conditioned office using photoelectric
dimming controls together with the solar control coating on the window glass.
Thermal and visible properties for the window glass coupled with solar film
were recorded and analysed. The findings showed that the solar film coating
cut down the cooling load and decreased the energy expenditure for
airconditioning and artificial lighting systems. Energy analysis on the
application of solar film coating in a reference office building using tinted glass
windows with various glazing areas was demonstrated. The external
obstructions together with the office building were also modelled based on a
similar setting in one of the main business districts. The findings can provide
architects and building designers useful information for the energy saving
potential of different daylighting schemes in a densely built urban city .
INTRODUCTION:-
The decision of use daylight in modern commercial building must be based on
more than just an understanding of the aesthetics of light and space. Daylight
can affect the functional arrangement of spaces, occupant comfort(visual and
thermal),structure, and energy used in building, as well as the type of electric
light and associated control systems.

In fact, if daylight is considered a viable source of light in the building, it use

can have ramifications for all aspects of the building design process, from
urban planning to interior design, from pre design analysis and programming
to specification writing and construction. No phase of building design process
will b unaffected.

Daylight is both an art and a science; that is, daylight is both a design element
and an environmental system. As a design element, it can enhance aesthetic
and qualitative aspects of buildings .As an environmental system ,it should be
subjected to the same level of rigorous analysis and review that any
environmental system receives.

Although daylighting may sometimes be considered exclusively in terms of

design aesthetic, it is more often considered as a design alternative because of
some concern for energy use and energy conservation in the proposed building.
Recognizing that daylight is both a design determinant and an enviormental
system does not begin to explain why it should be included in building, how it
has been used in past ,or how it fits into the building is considered an
alternative technology,just as electric lighting was an alternative to designing
100 year

Daylight –sunlight + skylight

Many reasons can justify considering daylight as a light source in both

residencial and commercialbuildings,although some of the reasons may apply
more to one building category than the others. Among the reasons are :

 Quality of the light.

 Importance of the daylight as a design element.
 View (Daylight apertures provide visual communication channels to
the outside)
  Use of daylighting apertures as fire exists in emergencies.
 Energy conservation resulting from the use of daylight as a primary or
secondary illuminant.
 Energy consumption and peak demand cost savings resulting from the
use of daylight.
 No cost change in construction
 Opportunity to develop integrated structural and mechanical systems.
 Psychological and psychological benefits not obtainable with electric
lighting or windowless buildings
 The genuine desire to have natural light and sunlight in a room or
space.

Daylight is a design element that some designers use as the central design
determinant in their work. These designer use the need for varying quantities
of daylight in different space of building to establish the general form spatial
arrangement ,and massing for the building.

Daylight add a sense of spaciousness to a room; because daylight apertures

“open a room to the outside”, they can make a room seem larger.
Spaciousness, thought to be a feeling of openness produced primarily through
visual perception of a space, is a phenomenon that has been studied by a no of
building environment researchers.

Aim ±
This works aims to studying, day light source, factors affecting day lighting &
thermal performance, aspects of comfort due to day lighting, quantification of
day lighting, behavior of materials (relates to both thermal performance &
reflectivity index). To identify them easures to reduce energy consumption of
building by integrating day lighting strategies.

Object ives.±
- To identify the day lighting design parameters.
- To identify the factors which increase the use of day light without
affecting the thermal performance.
-  Also, to suggest alternative measure in the case study selected
Need of the study ±
By integrating the day light inside the buildings, the use of artificial lights for
work, during hours of good light can be completely eliminated; this will helps in
reducing energy consumption due to artificial lights if used in optimal manner,
otherwise it will increase thermal load.

SCOPE:-
Design a building, for the optimal day light requirement with respect
to thermal performance by using different software

METHODOLOGY:-
Define aim, objectives, scope & limitations.
- Literature review of books, journals related to day lighting.
- Study of various factors affecting day lighting & thermal
performance.
- Study day lighting strategies, quantification of day lighting. Sources
of day lighting, thermal performance of different materials.
- Case study ± Analysis of lighting performance with respect to
thermal performance.
- Provide an appropriate measure for the optimal day light & thermal
performance of the building by using different software

Level of lighting requirement & comfort standard.(Activity based

classification)
Different visual tasks need differing amount of lights for the same efficiency.
The correct
amount of light for any task is determined by the following:
a)The characteristics of the task ± size of significant detail, contrast of detail
with
background and how close it to the eyes;
b)The sight of the worker ± for example, old people need more light;
c)The speed and accuracy necessary in the performance of work. If no errors
are
permissible, much more light is needed, and
d)The ease and comfort of working ± long and sustained tasks must be done
easilywhereas workers can make a special effort for tasks of very short
duration. IS: 3646(Part ±II) ± 1966 and IS 2440 ± 1975 gives the lighting levels
required for variousactivities. The recommended value of illumination for
offices are: -

Common Terms and Definitions:

As a noun, Daylight, or Natural Light, describes all direct, diffuse and
reflected light from the sun in the daytime. As a verb, Daylight or Daylighting
is the choice, act, art, science or practice of using daylight as the primary
daytime illuminant in a room or building.

From the environmental perspective, the definition of daylighting also includes

the inherent ability to turnoff electric lighting when not needed in the daytime.
Except for the last 50 years, the art and practice of daylighting was common to
building design throughout recorded history. In the 1950’s, the confluence of
reliable fluorescent lighting, air-conditioning and inexpensive electricity
combined to make a new commercial building paradigm. Today, the sealed air-
conditioned box with electric lights is the norm, while daylighting practices
have become faded memories. However, daylighting is experiencing a
renaissance since aspects of this approach have been shown to significantly
increase human, environmental and economic performance compared to
standard construction with electric lighting.

Buildings are classified into two different categories according to how they use
energy.

EXTERNALLY LOAD DOMINATED BUILDING:-

Like our house use the majority of their utility bill to stay comfortable. Over a
year’s time, the largest use of energy is for climate related loads exchanged
through the building envelope, with the energy needs for all other uses, such
as lights, appliances, hot water, etc., being less. Location does alter energy
use patterns in such buildings, with Houston homes using more energy for
summertime space cooling, and Green Bay homes using the most for winter
heating. Yet, both homes can be called Envelope Load Dominated Buildings,
since their energy use patterns tend to mirror climatic imposed loads. To
significantly lower energy use in these types of buildings, one typically
improves the building envelope by adding insulation, or weather-strip
windows, etc.

INTERANLLY LOAD DOMINATED BUILDING:-.

These buildings, which are offices, schools, libraries, airports, stores, etc., use
the majority of energy for internal needs such as lights, computers, photocopy
machines, ventilation air, etc. Building envelope loads have much less to do
with the energy use in such buildings, and a library in Houston can have very
similar energy use patterns to one in Green Bay. Why? Sealed commercial
buildings trap the heat of lights, equipment and people inside requiring the
use of space cooling most of the year. These internal loads act like small
furnaces scattered about the building, and are on during all occupied hours,
summer and winter. The result is a very large energy need for lights,
equipment and the cooling/fan systems that extract the internally released
heat. Typically, it must be freezing or below outside before an Internally Load
Dominated Building requires heating in perimeter zones. Additionally, interior
or core zones, which are usually 40 to 60% of the area of such buildings, very
seldom, if ever, require heating. Energy-related solutions for internally load
dominated buildings are very different than for envelope load dominated
buildings. For instance, more insulation on a internally load dominated
building might actually increase energy use since the internal heat gains are
further trap inside, requiring extra energy for fans and cooling to remove it.
The lone envelope related energy strategy that can make a difference is the
shading of unwanted solar heat gains in the summer.
.

Below figure depicts an office building, the numbers are almost identical for
any windowed non-residential building with air-conditioning. To get two units
of light energy (1 for task lights, and 1 for ambient light) in an internally load
dominated office building requires about 119 units of primary energy from the
ground; a process less than 2% efficient.

This fact brings up two points for discussion. First, daylighting is so

enormously beneficial because electric lighting is so inherently inefficient. Even
if new lamps, ballasts, fixtures and lighting controls are invented that achieve a
100% increase in current lighting system efficiency, the overall process would
still be only 3.3% efficient! For a daytime use facility, no lighting system will
ever be more efficient than a well designed daylighting system. However, and
point two, it must always be remembered that any source of light in the
building, natural or electrical, causes the use of energy for space cooling in an
internally load dominated building. For a daylighting system to be truly
environmentally beneficial and user friendly, great care must be exercised to
eliminate all unnecessary solar heat gains and glare. Cool daylighting is the
use of daylight in a way that simultaneously lowers peak and annual cooling
loads and elimantes glare

Energy Flow Diagram: Electric Lighting in an Air-conditioned Office

Building
ANALYSIS OF DAYLIGHTING DEVICES FOR TYPICAL OFFICE BUILDINGS

For economic reasons, one of the most common design configurations amongst
the commercial building is the deep plan office layout as it employs the
maximum ratio of usable floor area to the exterior envelope. The penetration of
daylight in these types of buildings is mainly through windows at the perimeter
which reaches only up to 4.5 meters because of physical obstructions primarily
interior partitions. Also some buildings are located in very dense urban areas
where daylight availability already gets reduced by the surrounding buildings.
This results in non-homogenous illumination, with high concentration of
illuminance levels near the glazing causing discomfort glare. At the same time
the lighting levels are very low in the middle of the floor plate. Therefore, the
core of these buildings is dark and depends exclusively on electrical lighting for
obtaining an adequate illumination, its consequences being the increase in the
overall energy consumption.

The study focuses only on the core area, the area beyond the partitions at a
distance of 4.5m from the periphery. To capture daylight and efficiently
channel it towards the core areas, various daylighting devices such as light
shelves, light tubes, and anidolic light ducts three been studied to optimize
daylighting levels and to efficiently distribute it in core area (4.5mts. to 9.0mts
from the perimeter). Due to the variations of daylight according to location,
season, and cloud cover, it is necessary to supplement electric lighting with
daylight in order to achieve optimal lighting requirements. Thus, the study
calculates the electrical lighting consumption annually. This paper also
attempts to explore the technical & economic viability of integrating daylighting
devices in office buildings in context of New Delhi.

OBJECTIVE
The main objective of this disseration is to identify the appropriate devices and
their application in the office buildings for achieving optimal Daylighting. It
also aims at evaluating the cost effectiveness of the application of such devices
in terms of energy savings and the payback period.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

To carry forward the present research paper, an existing commercial building,

Bhikaji Cama Place, a Central Building District (CBD) in New Delhi has been
surveyed. A hypothetical model has been derived from the survey. After
developing the hypothetical model, various walls window ratios (WWR) have
been applied and experimented to understand the daylight availability in it.
The windows are positioned on all facades. The window area has been
calculated for WWR of 0.20 0.40 and 0.60 of the overall wall area, achieved by
increasing the width of the window horizontally and the area required
respectively. The above window area does not include the area required for the
daylighting devices. This paper will consider the glass Visual light
transmittance (VLT) of 0.35 which is generally used in the architectural
practice in the city of New Delhi. The results of the study does not get affected
by any varying the VLT because the WWR in the study changes horizontal
dimension only. For the daylighting systems; light shelves and anidolic ducts,
VLT is assumed as 0.80.

The model has been integrated with various design variable, such as building
façade building geomatery and wall –to-window ratio keeping the floor area
constant 1300sqm. Table shows various constants and variables used for the
study

Table for values for the models

CONSTANT
Glazing VLT .35
Sill height 0.30 m

Orientation NS longer axis

Reflectance Floor : 20%
Wall : 50%
Ceiling : 80%

Area 1300sq.mt.

Floor to floor height

3.0 mts.

The study consider two types of variables, dependent variables (light shelves,
Anidolic light ducts and light tubes), while the other are independent variables
shown in Table 1 (b).

Table for Independent Variables

Independent Variables
Building Shape Rectangle 1:2
shown in Fig. 1 Rectangle 2:3
Square 1:1
Square 3:3 with courtyard
WWR 0.20
0.40
0.60
Façade alternatives Flush building
shown in Fig.2 Flush with recessed
windows
Stepped Building
Stepped with recessed
windows
Rectangular 1:2 Rectangular 2:3

Square 1:1 square 3:3 with courtyard

a).Flush Façade b). Recessed windows c).Stepped Facade d) Recessed
with
raised facade

RESU LTS AND OBSERVATIONS

Case 1: Rectangle 1:2

Observation on the basis of Façade alternatives
The outcome of the graphs shows that the amount of daylight decreases
relatively by introducing the facade typologies. Figure 4. (a) Graph shows the
results for flush facade, which indicates that Light tubes daylighting he core
area up to 82%. For the anidolic light ducts the amount of daylighting achieved
are higher than light shelves.

Case 2: Rectangle 2:3

Observation on the basis of Façade alternatives
Results for flush facade , which indicates that Light tubes daylight the core
area up to 82%, the floor plate is generalised to be 1000 sq.mt for all the
facades. For the anidol ic light ducts the amount of daylighting achieved are
higher than light shelves. The similar graphs as in case 1 have been developed
for this case, are not shown, as the value of illuminance decreases with the
integration of facade alternatives.

Case 3: Square 1:1

Observation on the basis of Façade alternatives
The case introduced with flush facade of 0.60 WWR reaches maximum of
11%, 75% and 30% of daylight area, whereas with other facades, devices barely
renders daylight to the deep.

Case 4: Square 3:3 with courtyard

The analysis of result shows the integration of devices with courtyard type
building hear es daylight deeper interior with all devices. It has been noticed
that light shelves assumed in this case penetrate daylight to the maximum of
55% of area.

A SIMULATION ASSESSMENT OF THE HEIGHT OF LIGHT SHELVES TO

ENHANCE DAYLIGHTING QUALITY IN TROPICAL OFFICE BUILDINGS
UNDER OVERCAST SKY CONDITIONS

The objective of this paper is to highlight the effectiveness of light shelves in

tropical office buildings to enhance interior daylighting quality. Daylight
simulation was performed for custom light shelves for a typical office floor to
determine the best possible location under overcast sky conditions.

Light shelves are typically placed just above eye level to reflect daylight into the
interior ceiling and to use the ceiling as a light-reflector for deeper parts of the
room. However, it is believed by many that light shelves and overhangs are not
efficient in terms of light penetration under overcast sky conditions and reduce
the amount of daylight reaching the interior space
LIGHT SHELVES AND SHADING
Architectural shading solutions are typically part of the exterior facade. Light
shelves, overhangs, fins, shade screens, venetian blinds, vertical blinds,
miniature louvers, and roller shades are commonly used shading systems. One
drawback of using shading devices is the risk of reduced daylight level, as all
shading devices reduce the view of sky, which is a potential source of daylight.
This can increase the use of artificial lighting for interior task.

One of the effective forms of shading devices is the light shelf. Light shelves are
horizontal projections placed below a window lintel to reflect sunlight further
into the interior. Typically placed just above eye level, the light shelf reflects
daylight onto the deeper part of the room using the interior ceiling as a
reflector instead of a typical shaded interior ceiling (A.G.S., 2000). At the same
time, the light shelf shades the lower portion of any window, reducing the
amount of light near the window, which normally has much higher
illumination than the deeper parts of spaces and projects the light towards the
back. The result is a balanced luminous environment, with less contrast and
glare.

A light shelf divides a window into a view area below and a clerestory area
above. Literature survey shows that light shelves and overhangs are not
effective for redistributing light under overcast sky conditions and may reduce
the amount of daylight reaching the interior space (Eagan et al., 2002). Both
full-scale and scale model measurements have shown that windows with
internal light shelves produce an overall reduced daylight factor on the work
plane throughout the interior space compared to a non-shaded window of
equal size (Littlefair, 1996; Christoffersen, 1995; Aizlewood, 1993). To reach a
clearer idea about this impact, daylight simulation was performed in this study
for custom light shelves with different height levels.

SKY CONDITIONS OF TROPICAL CITY

The climate of tropical city has mainly three distinct seasons – the hot dry
(March-May), the hot humid (June-November) and the cool dry season
(December-February) (Ahmed, 1995). The sky can be clear or overcast in
different parts of the various seasons. During summer (Hot Dry) the sky
remains both clear (sunny with sun) and overcast. However, during the warm-
humid (March- November) period, which includes the monsoons, the sky
remains considerably overcast most of the time. It is only during the winter
(December-February) that the sky mostly remains clear.
METHODOLOGY

Selection of Site and Building for simulation

The criteria for site and building selection to determine the typical example
office space was based on the following factors:
a) The site should be within the urban boundary and should have
characteristics typical of the general urban fabric of Dhaka city (Figure 2);
b) The example office building should represent the trend of typical office
design in Dhaka;
c) The building should be built in accordance with the Building Construction
Regulations of the City Authority;
d) Internal layout of the example office space should be such that, there
should be provision for daylight inclusion and distribution; and
e) The scale and volume of the building should be representative within the
conurbation.

After a survey of office buildings in the city, based on the above criteria, the
nine-storey Opsonin Building (corporate office of Opsonin Pharma Limited) was
selected for the study . The 2nd floor of the building was chosen as the
example space for simulation. This floor is one of the typical floors of the
building, the plan of which is repeated on the rest of its six upper floors, and it
has different exterior conditions on four different sides. The building has a 7m
wide road on the west, some single-storey semi- permanent establishments and
a two storey building opposite the lift core on the east, another under-
construction nine-storey building 2.5m from the northern edge and a three-
storey building 2.5m from the south edge. There is a four-storey building and
some greenery just opposite the road in front of the office building (Figure 3).
 Site and surroundings of nine storied office buildging

Simulation Study

The amount of daylight penetration and its quality in office interiors due to the
changes in the height of light shelves can be assessed by simulation study. In
reality, due to the simultaneous influence of many different factors, it is
difficult to isolate the exclusive effect of one single aspect, or the changes due
to it. Daylight simulation allows the study of the effect of changes in any one
aspect, keeping other aspects constant. The observation of simulated behavior
related to changing parameters allows the identification of elements, the
reduction or introduction of which in design, contributes to increased daylight
penetration into the interior. Another significant advantage of simulation study
is that it is possible to analyze the lighting situation for any period of the year
simply by assigning simulation parameters (like location, date, time, sky
condition etc). In this paper, three PC version simulation programs were used
to investigate and analyses the impact of the different heights of light shelves
on daylight level at work plane height, aiming to find out the better light shelf
height.

Simulation Parameters
The quantitative and qualitative assessments for the design strategies were
based on the following parameters:
Location: .(90.40 E, 23.80 N)
Time: 15 April, 12.30 pm (Time of physical daylight measurements by a light
meter to compare with simulation outputs)
Calculation Settings : Full Daylight Analysis
Precision : High
Local Terrain : Urban
Window (dirt on glass) : Average
Sky Illumination Model : CIE Overcast
Design sky Illuminance : 16,500 Lux (Khan, 2005)

Study space
The second floor of the building was chosen for the simulation study (Figure 4).
All indoor and outdoor conditions were kept constant as found in a physical
survey (Joarder, 2007). The models were created assuming unshaded
peripheral glazing wall, as shading obstructs a major part of daylight
penetration. The interior space was also modelled as vacant, devoid of any
partitions or furniture, to avoid the effects of such surfaces, which both block
and reflect daylight, and may hide the actual impacts of light shelves. The
other parameters of the model of the example space, which were incorporated
from values found in a physical survey,

2nd floor dimensions : 25m x 28.5m

Total floor area : 692 sqm
Usable office space : 577 sqm
Service area : 115 sqm
Clear height of office space : 3m
Window to floor ratio : 0.36
Work Plane height : 0.75m

The upper and lower floors of the study space were hided during simulation, as
it was found during trial simulation study that these floors had no contribution
to simulation output but prolong the simulation processing time unnecessarily
(Figure 4).
view of model used for the simulation.

Simulation of Light shelves

Daylight simulation was done for custom light shelves (metal deck, reflectance:
0.88, U value: 7.14 W/m2K) provided in Ecotect software of varying heights for
the space under study. According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Building
Construction Rule 2006, a maximum overhang of 0.5m is allowed over
mandatory open spaces (clause no. 50.6G). Six alternative models of the same
space were created for varying heights of light shelves by limiting the projection
of the light shelves to a maximum of 0.5m on the exterior, and extending it to
the same depth in opposite direction to the interior above eye levels. The
varying heights investigated for the fixed light shelves were 1.50m, 1.75m,
2.00m, 2.25m, 2.50m and 2.75m above floor level (Figure 7).

:
Conceptual building section thru XX’ & YY’

Section showing varying light shelf heights investigated in this study

DECISION BASED ON SIMULATION STUDY
The comparisons in Figures 10 & 11 show that illumination level near the
windows varies widely due to the introduction of light shelves. Figure 8 shows
that with light shelf at 2m height a maximum of points (35 points) fall within
acceptable illumination range (300-900 Lux) with minimum average
illumination value (315 lux from Figure 8) which meets the requirement of
BNBC (1993) for office work (300 Lux). Therefore, to keep the desired light
levels closest to standard, light shelves at a height of 2m above floor level
perform better among all alternative heights studied for a space with 3m ceiling
height with illuminated ceiling (Figure 12c). Daylight distribution on node
points with light shelves 2m above floor level is shown in Figure 13 & Table 2.

CONCLUSION
This simulation study was performed to find out the effectiveness of light shelf
in tropical location, with predominantly overcast skies. The findings agree with
past studies that in a tropical location, such as Bangladesh, the introduction of
lightshelf at any height produces an overall reduction of illumination on the
work plane throughout the interior space. At the same time, the findings also
demonstrate that light shelves at a height of 2m above floor level within 3m
high ceilings perform better to enhance daylighting quality in the interior space
compared to the alternative locations (Figures 12c & 13, Table 2),

DAYLIGHTING CONCEPTS:-

To the purpose of daylighting system, like that of any other lighting system, is
to provide a reasonable amount of light where it is needed in a building while
insuring good visual performance and providing sufficient lighting contrast for
visual comfort. the objective of a daylight concept is to optimize the area of a
building and the no. of people, animal, plants or objects in or around a
building that can benefit from the use of daylight.

Daylighting concepts can be grouped into seven categories:

 Sidelighting
 Roof and top lighting
 Angled lighting
 Beam lighting
 Indirect lighting
  Atria, light court, and reentrant lighting
 Combitation of the above.

All of these require that the design team use the envelope of the building as a
filter through which daylight reaches the interior of the building. The actual
design of the building’s daylighted area is based upon the geometric
relationship between the room or space being daylighted and the size shape
location of the various daylight apertures that provide the room natural
illuminant.

Establishing the basic proportional relationship has always been an important

part of the daylighting system design process. In discussion of proportional
relationship and daylighting, several simple rules of thumb are often propsed.

It is important to appreciate that the daylighting design process involves the

integration of many disciplines including architectural, mechanical, electrical,
and lighting. These design team members need to be brought into the process
early to ensure that daylighting concepts and ideas are carried throughout the
project.
1. An awareness of basic visual acuity and performance issues is essential
to an effective daylighting design.
o Veiling Reflections: Veiling reflections of high brightness light
sources off specular (shiny) surfaces obscure details by reducing contract. They
should be avoided, particularly where critical visual tasks occur.
o Distribution: Introduce as much controlled daylight as deep as
possible into a building interior. The human eye can adjust to high levels of
luminance as long as it is evenly distributed. In general, light which reaches a
task indirectly (such as having bounced from a white wall) will provide better
lighting quality than light which arrives directly from a natural or artificial
source.
o Glare: The aim of an efficient daylighting design is not only to
provide illuminance levels sufficient for good visual performance, but also to
maintain a comfortable and pleasing atmosphere. Glare, or excessive
brightness contrast within the field of view, is an aspect of lighting that can
cause discomfort to occupants. The human eye can function quite well over a
wide range of luminous environments, but does not function well if extreme
levels of brightness are present in the same field of view.
o Variety: Some contrast in brightness levels may be desirable in a
space for visual effectiveness. Dull uniformity in lighting can lead to tiredness
and lack of attention—neither of which is compatible with a productive
environment. Often times a good daylighting solution will integrate a "blast" of
 beam daylight in a circulation area for visual interest and to help lead
occupants through a building. The human eye is naturally attracted to this
bright area and can be useful in guiding people down an otherwise banal
corridor.

Good daylighting requires attention to both qualitative and quantitative aspects

of design. Make sure the combination of natural and artificial sources provides
adequate light levels for the required task.
o The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America publishes an
industry-standard method for determining recommended illuminance levels
(expressed in units of footcandles, or fc) for various tasks.
o For office spaces, the U.S. General Services Administration has
interpreted the IES method to recommend a minimum of 50 footcandles on an
imaginary desk-height horizontal "work surface." Nevertheless, when used in
conjunction with indirect an ambient lighting system and direct task lighting, a
high-quality daylighting design can be achieved with ambient lighting levels of
30 footcandles or less.
3. To be effective, daylighting must be integrated with electric lighting design.
In particular, daylighting must be coupled with efficient electric lighting
controls if net energy savings are to be realized.
o As part of a daylighting design, consider the use of continuously
dimming fixtures controlled by luminous sensors.

 Design Recommendations

A number of design strategies should be understood and explored during the

design process. These strategies are briefly described below.
 Increase perimeter daylight zones—extend the perimeter footprint to
maximize the usable daylighting area.
 Allow daylight penetration high in a space. Windows located high in a
wall or in roof monitors and clerestories will result in deeper light penetration
and reduce the likelihood of excessive brightness.
 Reflect daylight within a space to increase room brightness. A light shelf,
if properly designed, has the potential to increase room brightness and
decrease window brightness.
 Slope ceilings to direct more light into a space. Sloping the ceiling away
from the fenestration area will help increase the surface brightness of the
ceiling further into a space.
 Avoid direct beam daylight on critical visual tasks. Poor visibility and
discomfort will result if excessive brightness differences occur in the vicinity of
critical visual tasks.
 Filter daylight. The harshness of direct light can be filtered with
vegetation, curtains, louvers, or the like, and will help distribute light.
 Understand that different building orientations will benefit from different
daylighting strategies; for example light shelves which are effective on south
façades are often ineffective on the east or west elevations of buildings.
  Materials and Methods of Construction
1. Exterior Shading and Control Devices: In hot climates, exterior
shading devices often work well to both reduce heat gain and diffuse natural
light before entering the work space. Examples of such devices include light
shelves, overhangs, horizontal louvers, vertical louvers, and dynamic tracking
or reflecting systems.
2. Glazing Materials: The simplest method to maximize daylight within a
space is to increase the glazing area. However, three glass characteristics need
to be understood in order to optimize a fenestration system: U-value, Shading
Coefficient, and Visible Transmittance.

o U-value represents the rate of heat transfer due to temperature

difference through a particular glazing material.
o Shading Coefficient (SC) is a ratio of solar heat gain of a given
glazing assembly compared to double-strength, single glazing. [NB: A related
term, Solar Heat Gain Factor (SHGF), is beginning to replace the term Shading
Coefficient.]
o Visible Transmittance (Tvis) is a measure of how much visible light
is transmitted through a given glazing material.

Glazings can be easily and inexpensively altered to increase both thermal and
optical performance. Glazing manufacturers have a wide variety of tints,
metallic and low-emissivity coatings, and fritting available. Multi-paned lites of
glass are also readily available with inert-gas fills, such as argon or krypton,
which improve U-values.

For daylighting large buildings in most climates, consider the use of glass with
a moderate-to-low SC and relatively high Visible Transmittance.

3. Aperture Location: Simple sidelighting strategies allow daylight to enter

a space and can also serve to facilitate views and ventilation. A rule-of-thumb
 is that the depth of daylight penetration is about two and one-half times the
distance between the top of a window and the sill.
4. Reflectances of Room Surfaces: Reflectance values for room surfaces
will significantly impact daylight performance and should be kept as high as
possible. It is desirable to keep ceiling reflectances over 80%, walls over 50%,
and floors around 20%. Of the various room surfaces, floor reflectance has the
least impact on daylighting penetration.
5. Integration with Electric Lighting Controls: A successful daylighting
design not only optimizes architectural features, but is also integrated with the
electric lighting system. With advanced lighting controls, it is now possible to
adjust the level of electric light when sufficient daylight is available. Three
types of controls are commercially available:

o Switching controls—on/off controls simply turn the electric lights

off when there is ample daylight.
o Stepped controls—provide intermediate levels of electric lighting by
controlling individual lamps within a luminaire.
Dimming controls—continuously adjust electric lighting by modulating the
power input to lamps to complement the illumination level provided by
daylight.

Any of these control strategies can, and should, be integrated with a building
management system to take advantage of the system's built-in control capacity.
To take full advantage of available daylight and avoid dark zones, it is critical
 that the lighting designer plan lighting circuits and switching schemes in
relation to fenestration. The following figure shows several control schemes.

ig. 1

Other Lighting Control Systems: In addition to daylight controls, other

electric lighting control strategies should be incorporated where they are cost
effective, including the use of:
o Occupancy controls—Using infrared, ultrasonic or micro-wave
technology, occupancy sensors respond to movement or object surface
temperature and automatically turn off or dim down luminaires when rooms
are left unoccupied. Typical savings have been reported to be in the 10 to 50
percent range depending on the application.
o Timers—these devices are simply time clocks that are scheduled to
turn lamps or lighting circuits off on a set schedule. If spaces are known to be
unoccupied during certain periods of time, timers are extremely cost effective
devices.

E. Analysis and Design Tools

Physical Modeling

The physics of illumination are such that light behaves exactly the same way in
a scaled model as it does in a full-size room. Physical models can be built
inexpensively and at various stages of the design process. A number of issues
can be accomplished with physical models.
 Photographs of the model interior can be taken to record and study
various design alternatives;
 The effect of different glass areas and locations can be studied;
 Using photometers, illumination levels resulting from different
daylighting schemes can be compiled and used to project energy savings.
FW