08-17-2017, 12:04 AM
Study on Fenestration concepts and Techniques for Daylighting
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Abstract
Fenestrations are the products that fill openings in a building envelope, including windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls designed to permit the passage of air, light, vehicles, or people. It has considerable impact on building occupants for day lighting, ventilation, thermal comfort, acoustics, and occupant well-being. Day lighting is an important factor affecting occupant well-being and fenestration plays an important role. Fenestration concepts are based on regional and site characteristics on window design; Local microclimate and regional climate characteristics, site location, and building orientation; size and position of windows and openings to optimize passive and active solar strategies.
Effects of Daylighting based on fenestrations in a building
Of all the elements in the building envelope, fenestration has the most influence on the day lighting aspect of the building. Proper location, sizing, and detailing of windows and shading form an important part of bioclimatic design as they help to keep the sun and wind out of a building or allow them when needed.
Orientation of Building
Based on climatic factors like sun and wind direction. When possible, the house should be so positioned on the site that takes it advantage of prevailing winds. There should be sufficient daylight and air motion in indoors.
Size and type of the Building
Fenestrations having 15 to 20% of floor area are found adequate for both ventilation and day lighting in hot and dry, and hot and humid regions.
Location and Position of fenestrations
The location of openings for ventilation is determined by prevalent wind direction. Openings at higher levels naturally aid in venting out hot air. Size, shape and orientation of openings moderate air velocity and flow in the room; a small inlet and large outlet increase velocity and distribution of airflow through the room.
Type of Openings and materials used
The type of openings used for fenestration in a building determines the amount of daylight passing through it. The kind of openings derived over different ages of architecture like casement windows, arch windows, French windows , skylight , atriums etc are analysed based on daylighting factors.