Improving Student Performance with Daylighting

Straub Hall, University of Oregon

Why focus on daylighting?
_Daylighting can increase learning and
test performance by 20-26%
_Glare reduces performance by 15%
_Daylit classrooms reduce absenteeism
_Daylighting reduces energy use
How much energy can be saved?
_Electric lighting accounts for 20% of
all building energy usage
_Lower required light levels need less
glazing
2007, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Annual lighting energy saved during daylight hours in Portland, OR with a 5% minimum dimming ballast
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0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Daylight factor
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2007, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Annual lighting energy saved during daylight hours in Portland, OR with a 5% minimum dimming ballast
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Daylight factor
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2007, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Annual lighting energy saved during daylight hours in Portland, OR with a 5% minimum dimming ballast
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
0.0% 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 5.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Daylight factor
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More Windows
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Straub Hall
What was the initial design?
_Large skylights
_View windows to the south and north
_Clerestory to the east
_Deep acoustic clouds
_No light under mezzanine

North
How to test the daylighting?
_The Artifcial Sky is a mirror box
that simulates overcast sky
conditions
_Photometric sensors are placed
inside of a scale model to determine
daylight intensity and distribution in
a space
_Interior surface refectances are
simulated with papers of similar
refectances
interior light level
exterior light level
= Daylight Factor (DF)
interior sensors
exterior sensor
Plan
Balcony Plan
6+ 0-1
Daylight Factor
5-6 4-5 3-4 2-3 1-2
Section
2013 Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Straub Hall - Lecture Hall
Daylighting Analysis
2 Linear Skylights
Total Skylight Area: 500 sf
Iteration #1
_Large skylights creating hot spots
_Too much light on screen
_Deep lightwells reduces daylight
_Adequate daylight

Presentation Board
Plan
Balcony Plan
6+ 5-6 4-5 3-4 2-3 1-2 0-1
Daylight Factor
Section
2013 Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Straub Hall - Lecture Hall
Daylighting Analysis
2 Linear Skylights
Total Skylight Area: 500 sf
Iteration #2
_Small skylights reduce hot spots
_Screen is adequately darkened
_Deep lightwells reduce daylight
_Front seats are too dark


Presentation Board
Plan
Balcony Plan
6+ 5-6 4-5 3-4 2-3 1-2 0-1
Daylight Factor
Iteration #3
_Small skylights reduce hot spots
_Screen is slightly too bright
_Shallow lightwells increase daylight
_Adequate daylight in all seating


Presentation Board
Plan
Balcony Plan
6+ 5-6 4-5 3-4 2-3 1-2 0-1
Daylight Factor
Iteration #4
_Small skylights reduce hot spots
_Screen is adequately darkened
_Shallow lightwells increase daylight
_Adequate daylight in all seating


Presentation Board
How to control the daylight levels?
_Different space uses require
different lighting levels
_Daylight levels vary with
seasonal and daily climate

_Adaptable shading is required!

How to adapt the shading?
_Louvers are integrated into the
skylights to instantaneously
adjust to maintain light levels
_Automated cloth shades on vertical
glazing block daylight while
retaining views out
_Daylight sensors adjust electric
lighting levels under mezzanine to
match the daylight levels in the rest
of space


Vertical Glazing:
0% Open
Vertical Glazing:
0% Open
Vertical Glazing:
100% Open
Vertical Glazing:
0% Open
WINTER SUMMER
Figure 2: Current Visible Transmission (Vt_vertical=75%, Vt_skylight=52%)
Average: 1.6 fc
Average: 1.4 fc
Max: 0.3 fc
Average: 3.0 fc
Average: 1.5 fc
Max: 0.5 fc
Average: 8.5 fc
Average: 3.2 fc
Max: 5.0 fc
Average: 6.3 fc
Average: 6.0 fc
Max: 1.6 fc
Values represent overcast conditions only
15752:da Copyright 2013, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Middle & Front Skylights:
50% Open
Middle & Front Skylights:
0% Open
Middle & Front Skylights:
100% Open
Middle & Front Skylights:
67% Open
Back Skylights:
0% Open
Back Skylights:
100% Open
Back Skylights:
0% Open
Back Skylights:
0% Open
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Vertical Glazing:
0% Open
Vertical Glazing:
0% Open
Vertical Glazing:
100% Open
Vertical Glazing:
0% Open
WINTER SUMMER
Figure 2: Current Visible Transmission (Vt_vertical=75%, Vt_skylight=52%)
Average: 1.6 fc
Average: 1.4 fc
Max: 0.3 fc
Average: 3.0 fc
Average: 1.5 fc
Max: 0.5 fc
Average: 8.5 fc
Average: 3.2 fc
Max: 5.0 fc
Average: 6.3 fc
Average: 6.0 fc
Max: 1.6 fc
Values represent overcast conditions only
15752:da Copyright 2013, Energy Studies in Buildings Laboratory, University of Oregon
Middle & Front Skylights:
50% Open
Middle & Front Skylights:
0% Open
Middle & Front Skylights:
100% Open
Middle & Front Skylights:
67% Open
Back Skylights:
0% Open
Back Skylights:
100% Open
Back Skylights:
0% Open
Back Skylights:
0% Open
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How much shading is needed?

_The vertical glazing contributes
daylight differently than the
skylights, so the vertical glazing is
shaded differently than the skylights
A better space for learning?