DECISION-MAKING FRAMEWORK FOR SELECTION AND DESIGN OF SHADING DEVICES BASED ON DAYLIGHTING

Abstract

This research looked to improve the daylighting performance of a shading device as a window component. The paper describes the development of the decision-making framework (DMF) for the selection and design of shading devices based on daylighting. The DMF presents the process of analysis of the shading devices’ daylighting performance in the selection of existing shading devices and in the design of new shading devices. The research determined the shading device daylighting performance measures (such as illuminance and daylight autonomy) as well as the variables that influence daylight performance. Interactions among the variables and the effects of these interactions on the shading device daylighting performance were explained and quantified in the DMF. The DMF also included ways of presenting the results of testing the shading devices and the process of making the decision.

A case study for three blind systems was performed to determine if the DMF provides a concept for the analysis of the daylighting performance of shading devices and for making decisions about the design/selection of the shading device. Computer simulation was used to calculate the illuminance levels and the daylight autonomies (DAs) as a result of the application of these blinds. The values of the DAs are compared for three blind systems to select the most appropriate system to be applied on a proposed building.

The DMF based on daylighting can help building designers to select the most suitable shading device based on its daylighting performance, and can help shading device manufacturers in designing new shading devices with improved daylighting performance.