Environmental Controls I/IG

Lecture 13
Solar Geometry
Shading Strategies
Sun Position

Can be described by
two angles:

Altitude

Azimuth

S: p. 1514, T.C.12
 Solar Angles
Describe the
sun position
relative to a
vertical
surface
 Solar Altitude: (beta)
Vertical angle to
sun position
 Solar Azimuth: (phi)
Horizontal
bearing angle
from south
 Surface Azimuth: (psi)
Surface horizontal
bearing angle
from south
Surface Solar Azimuth: (gamma)

Angle between
solar and
surface
azimuths

=-
 Sign Conventions

Angles east of
south are negative

Angles west of 90 -90

south are positive

+
45 -
-45

S0
 Calculating Surface Solar Azimuth

=
For example:
Building faade is oriented
south east ( =-45)

Solar azimuth () is 30
west of south
30 -45
= 30 (-45) = 75

Note: || 90, faade in

shade
 Profile Angle: (omega)
Defines limits of shade conditions

For horizontal
projections:

TAN()=TAN() / COS(Y)
 Profile Angle: (omega)
For horizontal projections:

SH=PH TAN()

where,
PH: width of enclosing side of
horizontal projection

SH: height of shadow below

horizontal projection
 Profile Angle: (omega)
Defines limits of shade conditions

For vertical projections:

TAN()=TAN(Y)
 Profile Angle: (omega)
For vertical projections:

Sw=Pv TAN(Y)

where,
Pv: width of enclosing side of
vertical projection

Sw: width of shadow beyond

vertical projection
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish fenestration
pattern and determine
size of openings
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Determine cut off date and time for
solar penetration

Mar 21 @10 AM solar time

Determine surface azimuth

?
Due south, =0

Determine required shadow height

SH=6
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish profile () angles for the solstices at solar
noon using surface solar azimuth (Y = ).

At solar noon (=0) and for L=40, =0:

12/21 =90-23.5-L=26.5
TAN(w)=TAN()/COS(Y)
w=26.5
6/21 =90+23.5-L=73.5
TAN(s)=TAN()/COS(Y)
s=73.5
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish profile () angles for cut off
date and time using surface solar azimuth
(Y = ).

At 10 AM solar time and for L=40, =0:

Sizing Horizontal
Projections
Mar 21 @10 AM Solar
Time
= 41.6
= -41.9

Y=-
Y=-41.9-0=-41.9

S: p. 1514, T.C.12
Sizing Horizontal Projections
Establish profile () angles for cut off date and
time using surface solar azimuth (Y = ).

At 10 AM solar time and for L=40, =0:

3/21 =41.6 Y=-41.9

TAN()=TAN()/COS(Y)
TAN()= 0.888/0.744= 1.19
=50
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Given SH = 6 and
SH=PH Tan()

Solve for PH
PH=SH/TAN()
PH=6/1.19=5.04 ~ 5-0
say 5-0
 Solar Envelope
Louver
Reduce horizontal projections by Spacing

adding horizontal louvers in a

vertical screen Sh

Ph
 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Use the summer solstice profile angle
(S) to determine spacing of vertical
louvers
S

H
S

Spacing (S)= H/TAN(S)

If H=12, then S=12/TAN(S)=3.55 say 3

Note: method does not include louver thickness

 Sizing Horizontal Projections
Use the summer solstice profile angle
(S) to determine spacing of reverse
inclined louvers

H
S

S 2S

Spacing (S)= H/TAN(S)

If H=12, then S=12/TAN(S)=3.55 say 3

Note: method does not include louver thickness

 Lateral Penetration
Mar 21 at 10 AM solar time

When Y0, lateral penetration occurs at an angle =

Lateral Penetration Solutions
Extend projection bilaterally

Lateral Penetration Solutions
Install vertical component bilaterally
 Critical Angle Analysis
Critical angles define solar aperture
height (SAH)

SAH

S
 Sizing Vertical Projections
SW=|PVTAN(Y)|
or

PV=|SW/TAN(Y)|
 Sizing Vertical Projections
On Mar 21 @ 10 AM
(Y=-41.9), if SW=6

what should PV be to shade

window

PV=|SW/TAN(Y)|
PV=|6/-1.115|=5.4 ~5-5
Shading
Strategies
 Shading Devices Overview
South Faade:
Horizontal overhang
or
Brise-soleil
San Cristobal Stables

The Capital (Chandigarh)

 Shading Devices Overview
East/West Faade:
Vertical fins angled to
the north
and/or
Brise-soleil

Keio University Graduate School Research Center

Monastery of Ste Marie de La Tourette

 Shading Devices Overview
North Faade:
Vertical fins (used in
hot climates only)

Phoenix Central Library

L: p. 559 fig. 17.10b
 Shading Devices Tectonics
Vertical
Louvers or Screens

John Deere Headquarters, Moline IL Jewett Art Center, Wellesley, MA

 Shading Devices Tectonics
Horizontal
Solid and louvered
planes, projections
or recesses

Paimio Sanatorium, Finland

Getty Center Los Angeles, CA

Shading Devices Tectonics
Sculptural Form
Thickness Reynolds Aluminum
Building, Detroit, MI
Projections
Screens
Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL
Beach House, Lido Shores, FL

Obayashi Tokyo Design Center