Conceptual design metrics for daylighting

Abstract

Daylight is a key component of green building; however, no prevailing metric has emerged to help identify buildings that are well-daylit buildings. This paper proposes a ‘daylighting dashboard’; a visual representation of a design’s potential to meet eight design goals: average illuminance, coverage, diffuse daylight, daylight autonomy, circadian stimulus, glazing area, view and solar heat gain. This metric allows for informed decisions to be made early in the conceptual phase of design, and highlights aspects of design that may need further development, while there is still the opportunity to make modifications. These eight goals should be prioritized as appropriate for individual projects, rating systems or code requirements. This early indication of performance of conceptual design alternatives is likely to guide architects to better daylit buildings.