Glare can hinder the use of a space and be unpleasant for occupants. Daylight modeling can help project teams anticipate problem areas due to sun angles as they interact with the architecture. Exterior and interior shading along with associated controls can greatly reduce the effects of glare.
Identify designs that combine glazing and building elements for optimum daylighting, such as window frames with integrated overhangs or light shelves. However, make sure that there is a thermal break (insulation) between the interior and the lightshelves, or these could become large-scale radiators of interior heat.
Locate classrooms and other regularly occupied spaces near perimeter glazing, courtyards, or other daylight sources. Support areas such as restrooms, storage, and areas that do not require or would be hindered by windows, such as restrooms, storage areas, and transitions can be located near the building core.
Set daylighting goals at the initial goal-setting workshop and incorporate them into the Owners Project Requirements document required for EAc1: Fundamental Commissioning.
To reduce cooling loads, use overhangs, lightshelves or fins, courtyards, and lightwells to block high-angle summer sun and low-angle morning and afternoon sun. These strategies also reduce glare and can improve daylighting by reflecting it deeper into the building.
To reduce heating loads, use daylighting strategies in tandem with passive solar heating strategies, such as using materials with greater thermal mass and orienting the building for maximum solar gain.
Locate classrooms and other regularly occupied spaces near perimeter glazing, courtyards, or other daylight sources. Support areas such as restrooms, storage, and areas that do not require or would be hindered by windows, such as restrooms, storage areas, and transitions can be located near the building core.