Daylighting is vital to building user health, task performance, and satisfaction. Daylighting design can be enhanced through the use of Digital Fabrication technologies, for 1) rapid prototyping of precise scale models that facilitate daylighting assessment and 2) fabrication of full-scale daylighting components that can perform as modeled. This paper focuses on the former, for an introductory environmental control systems course for architecture students. Program, daylighting, model material, and digital fabrication criteria are specified for a school classroom project. Sidelighting and toplighting classroom model elements for each scheme are assessed, using an adjustable-table heliodon (sun only) and a mirror box (overcast sky). Video documentation for sun only is provided for summer and winter solstice and equinox periods. A software-generated Daylight Factor contour plot is provided for the overcast sky. Fixed-frame photo images, however, best show the improved realism provided by the digitally-fabricated vs. the hand-built scale-models.

Presented at Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings X – December 2007

Units: I-P