CALCULATING DAYLIGHT FACTOR

•Daylight – admitted into bldg. through windows / roof-lights.

•Amount of light received inside a bldg. will constantly vary.

•Impracticable to express interior daylighting in terms of

illumination actually obtainable inside a bldg. at any time.

•For practical purposes – Daylight Factor (DF) is used.

CALCULATING DAYLIGHT FACTOR (DF)
DF – percentage ratio of the instantaneous illumination level at a
reference point inside a room to that occurring simultaneously outside
in an unobstructed position.

 Daylight factor is measured as the ratio of illumination at the working

plane inside a room to the total light available outside. This is called
daylight factor which is expressed in %.

DF – ratio of internal light level to external light level.

DF = (Ei / Eo) X 100%

Where, Ei – illuminance due to daylight at a point on the indoors

working plane.
Eo – simultaneous outdoor illuminance on a horizontal plane from an
unobstructed hemisphere of sky.
DAYLIGHT FACTOR
DF includes the following :

(a) Sky component (SC): direct light from a patch of sky visible at
the point considered.
(b) External Reflected Component (ERC): light reflected from an
exterior surface and then reaching the point considered.
(c) Internal Reflected Component (IRC): light entering through the
window but reaching the point only after reflection from an internal
surface.

Sum of the 3 components gives the illuminance level (LUX) at the

point considered.
Lux = SC + ERC + IRC
D.F. used in bldg. design in order to assess the natural lighting level as
received on the working plane.
CALCULATING DAYLIGHT FACTOR
A simple RULE OF THUMB can be used to approximate D.F.
D = 0.1 X P
where D = Daylight factor
P = Percentage glazing to floor area

E.g., given a room of 100 sq.m. floor area with 20 sq.m. of glazing.

D = 0.1 X (20/100)X100
= 0.1 X 20
=2%
Calculation of natural illuminance at the reference point inside a bldg.
by applying the following formula,

D = (Ei / Eo) X 100

Where, D = D.F.
Ei = illuminance at reference point in bldg.
Eo = illuminance at the reference point if the room was unobstructed.
THE DESIGN SKY CONCEPT
When the Daylight Factor for a given point has been established, it can
be converted into an illumination value, if the outdoor illumination is
known.
E.g.1:
Both factors of E are measured in lux (lumens per sq.m.) with Eo taken
as standard 5000 lux for unobstructed sky in the UK, DF = 2%.

Therefore, D = (Ei / Eo) X 100

or Ei = (D X Eo) / 100
= (2 X 5000)/100
= 100

Therefore, Ei = 100 lux.

THE DESIGN SKY CONCEPT
E.g.2: If DF = 8%, & Eo = 6000 lux
DF = (Ei / Eo) X 100
8 = (Ei / 6000) X 100
Ei = (8 X 6000)/ 100 = 480 lux
•By statistical evaluation of long term illumination records an out-door
illumination level (Eo) can be established for a given location - this is
taken as the ‘design sky’ illumination value for the particular location.

•Some typical ‘design sky’ illumination values (in lux) are:

Location Latitude Illumination (lux)
London Lat. 52⁰ 5 000
Sydney Lat. 33⁰ 8 000
Brisbane Lat. 27⁰ 10 000
Darwin Lat. 10⁰ 15 000
Nairobi Lat. 1⁰ 18 000
Delhi Lat. 29⁰ 6 000
THE DESIGN SKY CONCEPT

Previous calculation can be reversed & used as a basis of design:

Establish required illumination level – e.g., 300 lux.

Ascertain local ‘design sky’ illumination, Eo – e.g., 9000 lux.

Calculate necessary daylight factor:

DF = (300/9000) X 100 = 3.33%
Manipulate the design variables (window size etc.)to achieve this
daylight factor.
DAYLIGHTING:
 Practice of placing windows or other openings & reflective surfaces so
that during the day natural light provides effective internal lighting.

 Objective – to maximize visual comfort to reduce energy use.

 energy saving achieved by reduced use of artificial lighting.
 or from passive solar heating & cooling.

 Use of artificial lighting energy can be reduced by

Installing less number artificial lights
Dimming / switching artificial lights automatically in response to
the presence of daylight (Daylight Harvesting).

 Daylight harvesting: term used in sustainable architecture for a

control system that reduces the use of artificial lighting in bldg. interiors
when natural daylight is available, in order to reduce energy
consumption.
 LIGHTING IN THE TROPICS
Tasks & problems of daylighting in tropical climates:
•To provide adequate daylight even if the windows are protected by
louvres for thermal reasons.
• To exclude from visual field excessively bright (light coloured,
sunlit, etc.) surfaces which would cause glare.

HOT-DRY CLIMATES:
Direct sunlight must be excluded from bldgs. – reasons:
•Thermal
•Create glare

Windows tend to be small – not much sky will be visible from any
point indoors – hence SC (sky component) is insufficient.

Ground & external surfaces of other bldgs. are usually light coloured –
in strong sunlight these may create glare – hence ERC can be used with
provision to avoid glare.
 Sun

External
surface
Internally reflected light
– most convenient form of
daylighting.
indoor outdoor

Suitable arrangement –
high level window – sill
above eyelevel – would
admit reflected light to the
ceiling.
Ground surface
If the ceiling is white –
above method would
ensure sufficient & well
indoor diffused interior light
outdoor
through a small window.
 sunlit reflective surfaces of shading devices – can cause glare – hence
should be non-reflective.

Low level windows – acceptable if they open onto a shaded / planted

courtyard.

WARM HUMID CLIMATES: Buildings have

•Large openings to ensure cross ventilation & air movement.

•Provided with wide overhanging eaves or shading devices.

 Direct sunlight is excluded – thermal reason - bright sky could

provide sufficient light - but its high luminance would cause glare -
hence view of sky should be screened by shading device / plants.

 Sky luminance - less near the horizon than at higher altitude angles
- view of sky up to about 15⁰ may be permissible.
 15⁰

Criteria for the design of

indoor shading devices:
outdoor
•Permit view of sky near
the horizon only.
•Exclude view of bright ground & sunlit blade / louvre surfaces.

•Daylight should be reflected from ground & louvres to the ceiling –

ceiling should be of light colour.
SUPPLEMENTARY ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING:
•In moderate climate (prevalent temperatures are neither too hot nor
too cold) – difficult to provide adequate daylight in side-lit rooms, to a
depth greater than three times the window head height (6m approx.)
•For rooms deeper than this – a system known as PSALI (permanent
supplementary artificial lighting of the interiors) has been developed -
interior parts of the room are lit permanently by electric lights to
provide necessary illumination.
•PAL system – Permanent artificial lighting – ignores daylight
altogether – windowless environment – window is the weakest point of
the building – in both thermal & noise insulation – saving on heating &
air-conditioning > cost of artificial lighting.
•Counter argument – purpose of window – not only to provide daylight
– but also to provide a visual link with outside world
•PSALI system – would satisfy the need with reduced windows -
insufficient daylight would be supplemented by artificial light.
•In hot-dry regions windows are small for thermal reasons – daylight
reaching interiors is insufficient.
 DAYLIGHTING

•We turn toward the sun, seeking light and warmth - to nourish both
spirit and body.

•Position of the sun in the sky / colour of its light - keep us in touch with
the time of day / season of the year.

•Intensity of sunlight is so great that no artificial light can match it.

•While building houses - important to locate and organize them in a way

that allows all important spaces to receive abundant natural light.

•Placing the house on the site to take best advantage of available light
requires a study of the light and shadow patterns created by
surrounding structures, by the topography, and by landscape elements.
 DAYLIGHT
•A primary goal is to bring light into each room from two sides.

A house with wings

A Simple four-square creates rooms with the
house allows light potential for light on
into two sides of two or three sides.
each corner room.

A long thin house

allows light to
enter from
opposite sides of
most rooms.
 DAYLIGHTING
Daylighting is the complete process of designing buildings to utilize
natural light to its fullest. It includes the following activities:

•Siting the building – orienting for optimum solar orientation.

•Massing the building – presenting the optimum building surfaces

towards the sun.

•Choosing fenestration to permit the proper amount of light into the

building, taking into account seasons, weather, daily solar cycles.

•Shading the façade & fenestration from unwanted solar radiation.

•Adding appropriate operable shading devices, e.g., blinds, curtains, to

permit occupant control over daylight admission.

•Designing electric lighting controls – energy saving benefits of

daylighting.
 DAYLIGHTING – TOPLIGHTING CONCEPT

SKYLIGHT TOPLIGHTING
•Use of skylights to introduce light from above.
•Best done with diffusing skylight to prevent
direct sun rays from causing overly bright spots.
•Skylights should be no more than 5% - 6% of
the roof area.

CLERESTORY TOPLIGHT
•Use of high windows, above ceiling line.
•Best done when the windows faces north
to prevent direct solar radiation.
•With north facing fenestration, ceiling
aperture can be very large.
 DAYLIGHTING – TOPLIGHTING CONCEPT

SAWTOOTH CLERESTORY TOPLIGHTING

•Angled ceiling produces more indirect light –
increasing the efficiency of skylight.
•Best if north facing.

DOUBLE CLERESTORY TOPLIGHT

•Best if long axis is oriented east & west
•Use passive shading on south side to
prevent direct solar radiation into the
space.
 DAYLIGHTING – SIDELIGHTING

•Side lighting employs vertical fenestration (usually windows) to introduce natural

light.
•Unlike top lighting, side lighting tends to introduce light that can be too bright –
causing glare.
•Desirable view provided by windows makes glare an acceptable side effect.
•Sidelighting on east, south & west can permit direct solar glare & heat gain -
necessary to shade windows to prevent excessive glare & gain.
sun

•Overhang soffits provide a limited

amount of shading.
•Best employed on the south façade
(northern hemisphere) of the building.
indoor

SOFFIT OVERHANG
 DAYLIGHTING – SIDELIGHTING
sun

•Awnings / other extended shades

offer additional protection.
•Generally needed on the east &
west façade of the building.
indoor

AWNING sun

•A light shelf provides both shading &

indirect lighting for the space –
increasing the amount of daylight
depth penetration.
•Most effective on the south façade –
indoor
can be employed on east /west façade.
LIGHT SHELF
 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF DAYLIGHTING DESIGN
1. Plan the building such that every regularly occupied living space has
access to a window/skylight - high priority to windows that provide
a view – effective day lighted area extends about 2 times the width
of a window & about 2 - 2.5 times its height.
2. Minimize the size of east/west sides of the building, maximize the
south/north sides. North facing windows present no solar heating
problems, south facing windows can be protected with
overhangs/awnings/light shelves.
3. If a large area of the building is not near a window – provide toplight
skylights in single story buildings / top floor of multistory buildings. –
skylights should occupy 3% - 5% of roof area.
4. Protect the interior from too much natural light – employing
appropriate window glass, external shading devices, internal shading
devices etc.
5. Provide an electric lighting system and or automatic lighting controls
to permit daylight harvesting. The best way is to dim the electric
lights rather than switch them on & off.
SUN’S PATH

•This house plan is one that takes full advantage of

the light and the spectacular views.

•Basic form of the house - a two-story rectangle

with chamfered corners facing south.
SITE PLAN
•By setting the
house with its GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR
leading corner
facing south, two
full sides of the
building receive
south sun, filling
the interior with
light from morning
until night.
•A wide porch with a balcony above wraps the south corner.
•When the sun is lower in the sky / early morning and evening, winter,
spring, and fall / the angle allows light to penetrate the porch and enter
the rooms beyond. As the day or the season gets cooler, the sunlight
reaches deeper into the house.
•Three bedrooms have windows to the east; as the sun rises it gradually
fills the rooms with light. Each bedroom also has windows on a second
wall, balancing the light in the room and increasing the period of direct
sunlight. By mid-afternoon, the bedrooms are protected from heat gain
by the placement of the bathroom and fireplace to the west.
•At breakfast, the eastern
sunlight enters the kitchen
& adjoining dining room.
•Porch shades the south
side on the lower floor,
giving midday protection to
kitchen & living room.
GROUND FLOOR FIRST FLOOR
•By late afternoon, the sun moves to the west and enters through the
corner windows of the living room - it is important for afternoon /
evening activities to have a sense of the light but also to be protected
from heat gain - protection is created by dense landscaping outside the
corner windows, which blocks the sun as it gets low in western sky.

•Siting the house diagonally to the south takes maximum advantage of

available sunlight. Every room gets direct sun at some point during the
day.

FIRST FLOOR
GROUND FLOOR