This paper compares daylight simulation results generated with two simulation programs, 3ds Max Design 2009 and Daysim 3.0, to indoor illuminance measurements in a sidelit space. The sidelit space was in a single location, but was configured with five fenestration and glazing options, and operated under a variety of sky conditions. Both programs were given external direct and diffuse irradiance...

with demand for health services continuing to grow as populations age and new technologies emerge to meet health needs, healthcare policy-makers are under constant pressure to set priorities, ie, to make choices about the health services that can and cannot be funded within available resources. in a recent paper, smith et al apply an influential policy studies framework – kingdon’s multiple str...

Commercial daylighting systems can generate significant savings in electricity consumption, yet they are poorly received in the commercial or office building sector. Barriers inhibiting widespread adoption of these daylighting systems include occupant dissatisfaction, high cost (especially in the case of retrofits), and difficulty estimating target illuminances. In order to overcome some of the...

We present the algorithms and implementation of an interactive system to capture and interpret an architectural design from a collection of small-scale physical elements. The user sketches a proposed design by arranging 3D wall modules and simple markers for windows, materials, and other design features on a table. The color-coded elements are captured by a camera mounted above the scene and re...

Overheating, glare, and high-energy demand are recurrent problems in office buildings in Santiago, Chile (33°27'S; 70°42'W) during cooling periods. Santiago climate is warm and dry, with high solar radiation and temperature during most of the year. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the thermal and daylighting performance of office buildings transparent façades composed of three differe...

In China, existing buildings comprise more than 40 billion square meters, most being of high energy consumption. A substantial reduction in electrical energy costs could be obtained through greater use of daylight. Daylight varies widely due to the movement of sun, changing seasons and diverse weather conditions. Custom static daylight assessments, simulations represent only one time of the yea...