A simplified daylighting design tool for high-density urban residential buildings

Abstract

The paper describes a simple design tool for architects to estimate daylight performance of high-rise residential buildings in high-density urban sites during the early design stage. The tool is based on a modified version of the original split flux formulae. The tool resolves the formulae to a set of tables relating vertical obstruction angles with horizontal obstruction angles. Given the geometrical properties and the required daylight performances, an architect could work out, at the early design and planning stage, the design configuration of the building block itself, the spacing between building blocks, and the sizes of windows required. Working examples demonstrate how the tool might be used in design.