Application of Climate Based Daylight Modelling to the Refurbishment of a School Building in Sicily

Vincenzo Costanzo, Gianpiero Evola, Luigi Marletta and Fabiana Pistone Nascone
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Vincenzo Costanzo: School of the Built Environment, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AW, UK
Gianpiero Evola: Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Luigi Marletta: Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
Fabiana Pistone Nascone: Department of Electric, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: This paper aims at promoting the use of Climate Based Daylight Modelling (CBDM) and related state-of-the-art metrics by discussing a range of design options to improve daylight fruition in rooms with different orientation, shape, function, and furniture of an elementary school that is located in the Mediterranean climate of Agira (Italy). The local climatic conditions, with clear skies for most of the year, require the integration of different shading and re-directing systems with the existing envelope and rooms’ layout. Results show that the dynamic modelling is a powerful and ‘creative’ tool in the designer’s hands, which helps to inform about the choice of the most appropriate technological solutions and on their architectural integration. Comparison with mostly used static daylight metrics, such as the average Daylight Factor ( aDF ) and the Uniformity Ratio ( UR ), reveals a contrast with what would be suggested if considering these metrics alone, as prescribed by the Italian legislation. These outcomes rebate the need of performing more accurate and dynamic daylight simulations using recorded (i.e., varying) rather than fixed sky conditions to correctly inform the design process.

Keywords: daylighting; school building; measurement campaign; building simulation; climate based daylight modelling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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