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XDS 102

Daylighting Simulation Basics

Department
Instruction Mode On-line
Course Start Date August 3, 2024
XDS 102 Authors - Xiaowen and Yun Gao
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XDS 102 Authors - Xiaowen and Yun Gao
XDS 102 Authors - Tian Tian and Yuanyun Zhong
XDS 102 Authors - Tianchang Chu and Zhe Luo
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Description

In this introductory course to daylighting simulation, architects and designers will learn the fundamentals of daylight simulation and how analysis workflows can help create healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient environments. 

Program

Required Foundational Course in the Executive Program in Design for Sustainability (XDS) or as Stand-Alone Course.

Cost

$699

Duration

3 weeks

Effort

6 hours per week to complete all aspects of the course.

CEUs

AIA 6 LU HSW

Location & Delivery

Online and Asynchronous (Recorded videos with weekly live interaction) 

Who should attend?

This entry-level course is ideal for architects, designers, and engineers with a strong design background, but limited experience with environmental simulation workflows. 

Level of Instruction

This is a non-credit course for working professionals taught at the graduate level.

Software

The course will be taught using Pollination plugins, amongst other web-based tools. Students will receive a temporary license to use Pollination during the class. Students will also need to purchase an inexpensive light meter for the class. Pre-constructed base models in Rhino, Revit will be provided. Knowledge of one of these platforms is required to participate in this course. 

Course Schedule and Learning Objectives

Week 1

Daylighting Fundamentals

  • Explain how light is measured and how it is stimulated.
  • Understand key industry drivers and benefits of daylight simulation.
  • Identify appropriate daylighting and shading design strategies for different orientations and massing.
  • Select appropriate tools for simulating daylight.

Additional Information

  • History of Daylighting
  • Daylighting Incentives and Applications
  • Daylighting Strategies and Rules of Thum:  Side, Top, Clerestory, Atrium Lighting 
  • Shading Strategies by Orientation
  • Types of Simulation: Energy, Quantity, and Quality 
  • Engines/Tools: Pros and Cons for each
  • Inputs: Weather Files, Sky Conditions, Sensor Grids 

Week 2

Daylighting Design: Geometry and Radiation

  • Recall the earths movement around the sun as it relates to building geometry during early design phase.

  • Formulate precise simulation questions for design inquiry.

  • Execute iterative sunlight, shading, and solar radiation analysis to evaluate design parameters.

  • Compare and contrast results from early design phase studies to arrive at an optimal design solution.

Additional Information

  • Latitude, Longitude, Altitude, Azimuth, Sun Path
  • Sunlight Hour and Shading Studies 
  • Outputs: Metrics and Units of Measurment
  • Sunlight Study Applications: Zoning, Massing, Orientation, PV Analysis, Material Selection, Passive Strategies (Shading/Solar Collection), Daylight Modeling

Week 3

Daylighting Design: Quantity and Quality

  • Define units of measurement for daylighting quantity and quality.
  • Execute daylight quantity simulations for points in time and annually.
  • Evaluate daylight simulations to identify areas of darkness, excessive brightness, and adequate lighting.
  • Design architectural solutions for problem areas revealed by daylight simulation.

Additional Information

  • Point-in-Time Case Studies, Understanding Benchmarks
  • Understanding the Outputs: Metrics and Units of Measurment
  • Design Iteration 
  • Daylight Meter Readings
  • Annual Analysis Case Studies, Understanding Thresholds
  • Understanding the Outputs: UDI, DA, sDA and % of Time
  • Design Iteration for Glare and Increasing Light Level

Full Course Description

Early-phase design decisions made by architects and designers have an everlasting impact on a building's embodied carbon, lifetime operational energy use, and daily comfort for building occupants. While modern buildings with all glass facades meet aesthetic preferences, more glass doesn't necessarily mean better daylighting. Large spans of glass poorly oriented require additional materials for shade and glare control, which in turn requires heavier structural systems, increasing not only overall building cost but also its embodied carbon. High window-to-wall ratios also contribute to harmful energy loss/gain through the envelope which requires larger mechanical systems that run for longer periods of time to maintain thermal comfort. Daylight simulation-guided design helps architects and designers identify problem areas in a design to reduce materials, cost, and operational energy use; all while increasing occupant comfort. 

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