Does LEED require, in any analysis, that other surrounding buildings be created to simulate the sunlight reflections they can add?
e.g. occupant visual discomfort like glare can increase if no interior or exterior blinds are installed and surrounding buildings have 100% glazed facades.
Elliot Glassman
Building Performance Group Leader and Vice PresidentCannonDesign
4 thumbs up
July 16, 2021 - 12:41 pm
The context should always be modelled for accuracy; although its not only a matter of light reflection but also light access (a building in a dense urban context will have less daylight than the same building in an open field). In fact, the LEED metrics are less likely to pick up reflection glare potential since ASE is measured with direct light light only (part of the reason ASE is only a proxy for glare and not a glare metric per se).
So while LEED daylight criteria may be blind to these effects, they can be simulated to understand the effect and magnitude of the reflection concern as part of a responsible design (also your building's effects on others!)
Greenlab
Green Lab6 thumbs up
July 16, 2021 - 1:48 pm
Regarding our analysis we usually include other buildings to account for their shading effect. We were in fact curious if LEED required any detail regarding their facades' visible light reflectivity characteristics. We now understand that it doesn't. Thanks.
Kristen Vachon Vogel
USGBC/GBCINovember 26, 2024 - 8:56 am
In case others are referencing this forum for information, please note that modeling per LM-83-12 is required for Options 1 and 2. Section 2.2.8 describes the methodology for modeling all exterior obstructions (buildings, trees, ground surfaces, etc.) within 100 feet for shading and reflectivity. Additionally, per the LEED v4 Reference Guide > Further Explanation > Illuminance Simulation Procedure, when calculating illuminance intensity, both the direct and diffuse horizontal irradiance are to be determined and used as simulation inputs.
Collin Robinson
The Sheward PartnershipDecember 2, 2024 - 9:29 am
The original question has to do with glare from reflection off adjacent specular surfaces such as glazed facades. For Option 1, Since ASE simulation parameters specify zero-bounce (direct beam sunlight only), ASE won't pick up these. For Option 2, if there happens to be a reflection at 9 am or 3 pm, it might result in some sensors receiving more than 3,000 lux. Since specular reflections tend to be short-lived (15 mins in my experience) I usually ignore them for office occupants. Something more common is a light-colored building facade creating glare for many hours each day. Even that wouldn't be caught by ASE, but can be evaluated by viewpoint-based annual glare prediction methods. Climate Studio has a very simple way of doing this, perhaps there are other ways using Honeybee in Grasshopper. This is a major concern for pilots and air traffic controllers, with regards to reflective PV surfaces. There is a tool to evaluate this, but in my experience it is not very useful for building facades. Any building surface that reflects light back to the observers will give a false-positive when obviously the airfield is full of such buildings that aren't a particular hazard. This tool was developed by Sandia National Labs, accessible here: https://www.forgesolar.com/. Best of luck.