Terri Meyer Boake, BES, BArch, MArch, LEED AP
Professor School of Architecture University of Waterloo
email: tboake@uwaterloo.ca

 

 

Arch 125:
Principles of Environmental Design

Winter 2014: Project #3:

Lightbox Design

 
 

Project #3: SOLAR STUDY: THE LIGHT BOX 10%

GROUPS OF 2 STUDENTS PLEASE

Problem statement:

This project should reflect the lessons learned in Arch 193 Project 1 and be based on spaces designed in the Collaboration Project. In pairs (using the same groups as for the studio exercise) take a residential space that you feel is the most successful in terms of its control of sunlight (to permit free heat in the winter and is shaded for cooling in the summer) and model it for testing on the heliodon. The models should be done at 1:20 in order that they fit on the heliodon (pictured above). You are free to improve upon your studio design but it is not intended that it be radically altered. If you make changes to the design you will need to tell us during the seminar what you have done and why you have done it.

The purpose of this solar and light exploration is two-fold:

1. to be able to design so that the sun can heat your building in the winter and that the same openings will be shaded as of August 21 noon in the summer, to prevent overheating.

2. to understand the effect of natural lighting on the quality of light in the interior environment.

Our investigation of Passive Solar Design and the Vernacular has led us to an appreciation of the need for a certain quantity of south light, and an avoidance of east and west light on the basis of its difficulty in terms of shade control. The quality of natural light in a room, its amount, its evenness, and the impact of glare, are of equal importance in the creation of good architecture. This project will examine the implications of the geometry and placement of glazing, as it relates to the room size/proportions, ceiling height, wall dimensions and shading devices -- and intended use of the room. The function of the room, the way it is used, the desire for direct vs. indirect light, the relationship with the exterior and issues of view -- will drive the design of the daylighting.

MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE:

  • white foamcore, pins and tape
  • your design should allow us to see where you would have operable or fixed windows but you need not put acetate in the openings

    • SCALE:

  • 1:20 metric

    • SHADING:

  • please attempt to design to provide exterior shading to effect full shade of the window at noon on AUGUST 21 for 43oN and maximum solar gain on Dec. 21 for 43oN (the latter only if this suits your use)
  • the shading device may include an external light reflector shelf
  • think about the accumulation of snow on your shelves and roof
  • You may wish to design an alternate, replaceable shading devices for when this is tested in the Arch 125 seminar.

    • EVALUATION CRITERIA:
    The evaluation will include, but not be limited to the following:

  • the projects will be evaluated on the basis of their adherence to the above criteria and will be subjective vs. quantitative
  • precision
  • the quality of light achieved in the space
  • success of the shading system
  • level of sophistication in the architectonic solution

    • Assessment:

    Summer Sun Control /10
    Winter Light /10
    Daylight Quality as it applies to stated use /10
    Craft /10
    TOTAL /40

    Not being present for the presentation, loss of 10/40

    We will use the heliodon and fixed light source for the testing.

     
     
    updated Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:21 PM