MS Theses


2019

An Analysis of Urban Form and Canyon for Performative Daylighting Design

  • Where: MS Thesis Archives | Spring Quarter | 2019
  • Abstract
    Urbanization and densification are generally posed as a dichotomy between economic vitality and access to sunlight, daylight, and views. Daylight provides the highest quality of light. Building façade design should allow adequate levels of daylight penetration, and reduce the need for artificial lighting. Previous research and technology had focused on window sizes, window location, glazing types, and design of external and internal shading devices. However, the critical effects of surrounding block building mass, façade material reflectivity, and their interrelationship are overlooked in most daylighting design and research.

    Although recent studies on urban planning concentrate on daylight availability, and utilize climate based annual daylighting simulations in a given urban zone or block, the general tendency is to oversimplify the simulation models to facilitate rapid simulation processes. Computational efficiency is necessary, but the credibility of the simulation results depend on the accuracy of the input data. This thesis addresses to a need for a refined workflow for urban level daylighting simulations. The refined workflow provides flexibility in changing the design criteria, material reflectivity, and automated shadings operations.

    This proposed daylighting analysis workflow addresses to a gap between urban-level and building-level designs. It is used to explore solutions, where densification and performative daylighting design are mutually beneficial. The resulting data are used to critically discuss the limitations of current urban zoning rules. Alternative developing patterns and façade designs are demonstrated to support better daylit urban layouts and buildings.
  • Author: Shakiba Ahmadi
  • Document: Link
  • Related Project: An Analysis of Urban Form and Canyon For Performative Daylighting Design
Last modified: 07/29/2019 by Brian R Johnson