Evaluation of Lightshelf Daylighting Systems for Office Buildings in Hot Climates

Abstract

This paper presents part of an on-going research project in the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University. This research investigates how lightshelf daylighting delivery systems can manipulate sunlight and daylight both in terms of their light and heat by shading view apertures below the shelf to reduce solar heat gain and glare and by reflecting light deep into the space through the daylight aperture above the shelf. It also investigates how to provide view with good interior lighting in terms of light levels, distribution, and glare. Evaluation of these systems are based on two different experiments. The first uses scale-models for daylighting evaluation. Methodology of the research is presented as well as results and evaluation for part of the first experiment. The second experiment will use computer program simulations for energy evaluation that include reducing lighting and cooling loads and shaving peak loads, especially, when used with selective low-e glazing for office buildings in hot climates.