Analysis specific to each test is display on each test page. In general we found that changing reflectance of the floors and ceiling each had small impacts on their own but began to add up in the end. This was also seen with the addition of light shelves that provided more opportunity in the way of limiting glare by reducing window size under the shelves than they did at reducing light levels at the perimeter.

Hypothesis:

“The office spaces are underutilizing their access to day lighting. By changing the interior reflectance and adding architectural features we can create a better distribution of day lighting in the space.”

The hypothesis was proven correct by comparing the existing case with the final test number 7. In test number 7 the differences between the perimeter and middle of the office space are not as dramatically different than the existing case. The day lighting levels in the middle of the space are even adequate to sustain ambient lighting. However the perimeter lighting levels still seem high. We felt with some more tests this higher lighting level could easily have been reduced.

Further tests:

- The effects of reducing the window area under the light shelves.

- How to combine the glare groups findings and incorporate it into our recommendations.

- Using a many smaller skylights instead of one large one.

- Increasing the interior reflectance’s even farther.

- Adding the desks and current configurations into the test variables.

- What is the heating and cooling effect of all those windows? Skylights?

- Occupancy surveys of how they feel about the lighting, glare, and thermal issues related to the windows.

Suggested improvements for future case study developers:

- Use even more sensor locations for a better contour plot.

- Work in groups of three rather than two because a study like this take a lot of time testing, building models, analysis, and the you need to get it all on a web page and poster.

- The artificial sky is a great tool for most day lighting studies that should not be left unused.

Design Lessons Learned:

- Teamwork, Time Management, and Planning Ahead need a lot of good communication to work smoothly.

- A lot of windows around the perimeter of a space doesn’t always translate into good day lighting.

- There can be too many windows.

- Don’t use dark interior finishes.

- Integrate your day lighting features into the architecture so they can’t easily be dropped from the project. (E.g. Ecotrust skylights)

References:

- Meeb 9th edition

- ESBL energy lab

Acknowledgements:

- Janelle and Erik (Glare Group) for helping us collect our preliminary data.

- Alison Kwok for helping to keep us focused throughout this process.