Assessing Dense Neighbourhood Sustainability for Daylight Performance: A Case Study of Beijing

Daylight is a valuable natural resource that has been related to space quality and sustainable development. With the increasing density of urban population and physical environment, current manual-based daylight analysis and assessment have limited capabilities for dense neighbourhood evaluation and fail to effectively quantify natural daylight in residential zones. This paper proposes a parametric-based modelling system that perform year-round daylight access in dense neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood samples of Beijing work as study cases. Methods include data integration and parametric modelling. Geographic and climate information, building geometries, and daylight performance are computed with the parametric-based modelling system. Experiments at various residential building cluster layouts demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed system. Results indicate that parametric technology can provide positive innovation for daylight performance evaluation and dense neighbourhood sustainability assessment.

Assessing the Energy Efficiency and Daylight Performance of Windows in Buildings in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

The importance of research on sustainable and energy-efficient building design is increasing, considering thathumanity may face a shortage of natural resources as a result of irrational energy use. This article focuses on optimising the window characteristics of the buildings to be constructed in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, in order to improve their energy efficiency and daylight performance. Specifically, simulations were performed with the DesignBuilder software to study the effects of the window-to-wall ratio (WWR), glazing type, shading, and building orientation on the energy performance of the building and the comfort level of the occupants. As a result, triple-pane windows with 10 to 15% WWR oriented mainly to the south were found to have better performance compared to other configurations. However, a life-cycle analysis can be performed to verify its benefits in terms of cost and environmental burden. On the other hand, limitations of the glazed area on each facade may affect the comfort level of the occupants in terms of temperature increases, lack of daylight, and poor ventilation. Thus, a discussion of the simulation results is provided, along with issues that might arise. Suggestions for future studies were also included.

New Zealand Building Code Clause G7 Compliance Assessment Tool: Development and Implementation

<p>The New Zealand Building Code Clause G7 (NZBC G7) minimum requirement for natural light is not being met in around half of New Zealand apartments post-construction. The main reasons for this are an acceptable solution that is not effective for apartment buildings and a lack of tools for Territorial Authorities to assess accurately whether an apartment will meet the minimum requirement. This report outlines the process involved in developing a simplified tool to assess quickly natural light compliance in apartments and preparing it for implementation. The tool was developed through simulation of factors that affect daylight performance at the point in the room specified in the Code: the back of habitable rooms. From these simulations statistical analysis was used to develop mathematical relationships between building features and light levels. These relationships were used to create a tool that specifies whether an apartment would require simulation to prove compliance with NZBC G7. Calibration measurements were performed, comparing simulated and real measurements in 97 apartments with the predictions of the tool. These demonstrated that the tool provides reliable results, hence determining the accuracy of the predictions provided by the tool. The final step in the research was for potential end-user groups to evaluate the usability and functionality of the tool. The conclusion of this process is that a tool has been developed that is simple and easy to use, is sufficiently accurate for application by Territorial Authorities as a decision tool and can be easily implemented.</p>

New Zealand Building Code Clause G7 Compliance Assessment Tool: Development and Implementation

<p>The New Zealand Building Code Clause G7 (NZBC G7) minimum requirement for natural light is not being met in around half of New Zealand apartments post-construction. The main reasons for this are an acceptable solution that is not effective for apartment buildings and a lack of tools for Territorial Authorities to assess accurately whether an apartment will meet the minimum requirement. This report outlines the process involved in developing a simplified tool to assess quickly natural light compliance in apartments and preparing it for implementation. The tool was developed through simulation of factors that affect daylight performance at the point in the room specified in the Code: the back of habitable rooms. From these simulations statistical analysis was used to develop mathematical relationships between building features and light levels. These relationships were used to create a tool that specifies whether an apartment would require simulation to prove compliance with NZBC G7. Calibration measurements were performed, comparing simulated and real measurements in 97 apartments with the predictions of the tool. These demonstrated that the tool provides reliable results, hence determining the accuracy of the predictions provided by the tool. The final step in the research was for potential end-user groups to evaluate the usability and functionality of the tool. The conclusion of this process is that a tool has been developed that is simple and easy to use, is sufficiently accurate for application by Territorial Authorities as a decision tool and can be easily implemented.</p>

Parametric study of expanded metal shading toward Daylight Glare Possibility (DGP) optimization

Patented in the 1880s and having a longstanding industrial history, expanded metal sheet has a remarkable reputation for its application. However, despite the benefits of its use and numerous studies has been conducted on window shading and its daylight evaluation, research on extended metal shading’s daylight performance is still limited. This paper investigates the role of expanded metal shading to assess Daylight Glare Possibility (DGP) in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi, Japan, utilizing parametric design approach and Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO). The simulation and analysis were undertaken to determine how expanded metal can optimize DGP, the significance of improvement, the relationship between the View (aperture) and the DGP, and which parameters have the most influence in driving the aperture size and the DGP value. Analyzing 2322 solutions and 88 Pareto frontiers resulted from the MOO, several findings has been portrayed. Firstly, the shading View (aperture) shows a significant positive correlation to the DGP. Secondly, parameter Strand/W was identified as the most influential parameter that drive the objectives. Thirdly, the validation process portrays optimization in DGP by 38%. The results of the proposed methodology are expected to become an immediate geometry and performance feedback for designers and industries, supporting design decision-making processes during early design phase.

Determining Proper Daylighting Design Solution for Visual Comfort and Lighting Energy Efficiency: A Case Study for High-Rise Residential Building

Promoting the daylight performance that allows to provide visual comfort conditions by minimizing lighting energy consumption is possible with making a balance of window size, glazing type and shading strategy, which are the major design parameters of the daylighting system. Particularly, in high-rise buildings, where large openings enabling higher daylight availability and view out are preferred, the daylighting system becomes a crucial design consideration in terms of ensuring occupants’ visual comfort and improving lighting energy efficiency. This study aims to identify a proper daylighting design solution with regard to window area, glazing type and shading strategy for a high-rise residential building located in Istanbul considering visual comfort and lighting energy efficiency. The dynamic simulations are carried out by DIVA for Rhino version 4.1.0.12. The results are evaluated with the Daylight Autonomy (DA) to detect daylight availability in the space and Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) to describe the visual comfort conditions related to glare. Furthermore, the lighting energy consumption of each alternative is also analysed to determine the proper daylighting solution. The results have revealed that a proper daylighting solution providing visual comfort by improving lighting energy-efficiency can be determined by the evaluation of the daylight performance both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Evaluation of spatial comfort on vernacular architecture in Aceh Besar District as a form of local wisdom in adapting surrounding environment

Aceh is located in a warm humid climate area. It has high relative humidity, which averages almost 80% and an air temperature of 27.50C. This study aims to evaluate the structure and material of a vernacular architectural style of the Indrapuri Mosque, located in Aceh Besar district, in relation to spatial comfort. The representation of vernacular architecture in relation to spatial comfort is the implication of the local wisdom value in designing architecture that is adaptive to the surrounding environment. In terms of spatial comfort, the study focuses on examining thermal and daylight performances. In doing this, primary data were collected by conducting a field survey and mechanical measurement. In supporting primary data, written sources as secondary data that related to the study were reviewed. The study found that a few new building materials installed have affected spatial discomfort. These new materials create a high indoor thermal performance. Concerning daylight performance, the whole interior space of the mosque receives adequate sunlight. However, a few building materials that have been replaced with new materials have affected spatial discomfort.. The study thus shows that traditional buildings are still suitable to be used in the current time. To anticipate having high indoor temperature, the installment of new material through building conservation activities should pay attention to the character of new materials close to the original building material.