Daylight in atrium buildings: Geometric shape and vertical sky components

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of well geometry on vertical sky components in atria with square and rectangular forms under a CIE standard overcast sky. By comparing scale model measurements and analytical theory the vertical sky components, calculated using Radiance, were validated. More simulated data of vertical sky components for a very wide range of atrium geometries are given. From the results the attenuation of the vertical sky component on the wall of a square atrium is explained and some empirical functions are derived. In addition, the results from atrium models with rectangular floor plans show the relationships between the vertical sky component and the plan aspect ratio. Some guidelines for design are presented.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Saxon R. Atrium Buildings: Development and Design. London : The Architectural Press, 1983 .

Saxon R. The Atrium Comes of Age. London: Longman, 1993.

Hung W. , Chow W. A review on architectural aspects of atrium buildings. Architectural Science Review 2001; 44: 285-296.

Aizlewood M. The daylighting of atria: A critical review . ASHRAE Transactions 1995; 101: 841-857.

Wright J. , Letherman K. Illuminance in atria: Review of prediction methods. Lighting Research and Technology 1998; 30: 1-10.

Sharples S. , Lash D. Daylight in atrium buildings: A critical review. Architectural Science Review 2007; 50: 301-312.

Oretskin BL Studying the efficiency of light wells by means of models under artificial sky: Proceedings of 7th Passive Solar Conference . Knoxville, TX, USA, 1982.

Baker N. , Fanchiotti A. , Steemers K. Daylighting in Architecture: A European Reference Book. London: James and James, 1993.

Kim K. , Boyer L. Development of daylight prediction methods for atrium design: Proceedings of the International Daylighting Conference, Long Beach, California, USA: ASHRAE, 1986.

10.

Tregenza P. Daylight attenuation in top-lit atria. Lighting Research and Technology 1997; 29: 151-157.

11.

Aizlewood M. , Isaac K. , Littlefair P. A scale model study of daylighting in atrium buildings: Proceedings of the Illuminating Engineering Societies of Australia and New Zealand, Perth, Australia, 1996.

12.

Littlefair P. Daylight prediction in atrium buildings. Solar Energy, 2002; 73: 105-109.

13.

Sharples S. , Lash D. Reflectance distributions and vertical daylight illuminances in atria. Lighting Research and Technology 2004; 36: 45-57.

14.

Seshadri TN Equations of sky component with a CIE standard overcast sky. Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Science 1960; 57A: 233-242.

15.

Larson GW , Shakespeare R. Rendering with Radiance: The Art and Science of Lighting Visualization . San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 1998.

16.

Aizlewood M. , Butt J. , Isaac K. , Littlefair P. Daylight in atria: A comparison of measurement, theory and simulation : Proceedings of Lux Europa, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1997.

17.

Mardaljevic J. Validation of a lighting simulation program under real sky conditions. Lighting Research and Technology 1995; 27: 181-188.

18.

Roy GG A comparative study of lighting simulation packages suitable for use in architectural design: Report of the School of Engineering. Rockingham , Australia: Murdoch University, 2000.

19.

Laouadi A. , Reinhart CF , Bourgeois D. Efficient calculation of daylight coefficients for rooms with dissimilar complex fenestration systems. Journal of Building Performance Simulation 2008; 1: 3-15.

20.

Cannon-Brookes AWS. Simple scale models for daylighting design: Analysis of sources of error in illuminance prediction. Lighting Research and Technology 1997; 29: 135-142.

21.

Thanachareonkit A. , Scartezzini J-L. , Andersen M. Comparing daylighting performance assessment of buildings in scale models and test modules. Solar Energy 2005; 79: 168-182.