Commissioning design plays a crucial role in enhancing a building's daylighting and views to the natural environment while aligning with the overall design intent. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
1. Site analysis and building orientation: Start by conducting an in-depth site analysis to understand the sun path, prevailing winds, and surrounding context. This information will help determine the most suitable building orientation to maximize natural daylighting and views. Design the building to have large windows, skylights, or light shelves oriented towards the natural environment.
2. Daylighting analysis: Perform a daylighting analysis using computer simulations or physical models to assess the amount and quality of natural light that will enter the building. This analysis will inform the design decision-making process and allow adjustments to ensure optimal daylight penetration and distribution.
3. Window and glazing selection: Choose high-performance windows and glazing systems that allow for daylight penetration while minimizing heat gain or loss. Opt for glazing with low solar heat gain coefficients (SHGC) and high visible light transmission (VLT) to maximize daylighting potential.
4. Exterior shading devices: Incorporate exterior shading devices like overhangs, louvers, or shading screens to control the amount of direct sunlight entering the building. By strategically placing shading devices, glare can be reduced while maintaining views to the natural environment.
5. Interior shading and light controls: Integrate interior shading devices like blinds or shades that occupants can adjust to control direct sunlight and glare. Additionally, utilize lighting controls such as sensors and dimmers to dynamically respond to daylight levels, ensuring the artificial lighting is only used when necessary.
6. Views to the natural environment: Consider the building layout and specific spaces where occupants will benefit from views to the natural environment. This may involve locating communal spaces, workstations, or circulation areas near windows with scenic views. Incorporate transparency, such as glass partitions or interior windows, to allow borrowed daylight to penetrate deeper into the building.
7. Daylight-responsive artificial lighting: Commission and calibrate the artificial lighting systems to respond to the available daylight. This ensures that the artificial lighting is automatically reduced or turned off when ample natural light is present, minimizing energy consumption and providing a more comfortable lighting experience for occupants.
8. Continuous commissioning: Implement a continuous commissioning process to regularly monitor and adjust the building's daylighting systems. This includes verifying controls, sensors, and automated shading devices are functioning correctly, and fine-tuning the system settings to maintain optimum performance over time.
By employing these strategies, commissioning design can successfully enhance a building's daylighting and views to the natural environment while aligning with the overall design intent, creating a more sustainable and visually appealing built environment.
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