Balancing Optimal Daylight and Optimal Solar Gain using Climate-Based Daylight Modeling

Designing an envelope that optimizes the solar radiation entering a building is critical to the quality of interior spaces. Some of this radiation is necessary for illumination. This decreases the need for electric lighting and significantly contributes to the quality of architectural space. In contrast, direct solar radiation can heat a space. In large buildings this heating often contributes to the cooling load and decreases overall energy performance. This study analyzes the daylighting potential of a five-story children’s hospital in Kentucky. It was an ideal candidate for a building which required both high quality daylight and minimal solar gain.https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/research_based_design/1013/thumbnail.jp