Utilizing Kinematic Models of Kinetic Facades to Obtain Optimal Natural Lighting in an Office Building

Abstract

Kinetic facades with various geometric models perform remarkably well in response to changing outdoor conditions. Therefore, their performance in controlling interior daylight could be optimized and balanced. This study examines the receipt of natural light using kinematic models with different movement and geometric patterns for a 90% window-to-wall ratio (WWR) facade that faces cardinal directions in an office building in Tehran. To evaluate daylight reception, 15 kinematic models, which include some of the most well-known ones that have not been studied previously, have been simulated using the Grasshopper tool, Honeybee and Ladybug plugins, and Python. First, the room without any shading devices in the cardinal directions was simulated. Then, the effect of various kinematic models on the interior illuminance was investigated using various daylight metrics. The studied kinematic models were applied to windows on the south, west, and east facades. Then, the optimal kinematic model was suggested for each facade. A facade with a rotational kinematic model and a horizontal axis with a rectangle geometry performs better in terms of controlling daylight. Kinetic facades exhibit unique capabilities in adjusting to changing environmental conditions, which include natural lighting. By comparing these facades, we could optimize their function to enhance natural lighting within interior spaces. This study investigates the application of moving facades on the south, west, and east walls of an office building in Tehran. Using simulation methods, the efficiency of daylight availability in indoor spaces using a dynamic facade approach is evaluated. Initially, this study explores various types of moving facades and examines key daylight performance indicators. Based on the data, 15 geometric and dynamic models of moving facades across the three wall orientations were studied. Then, the most efficient geometric and movement patterns for the facades in each orientation are presented. The findings indicate that a horizontal movement pattern combined with a rectangular geometric design outperforms the other geometric patterns for natural lighting for office buildings in Tehran.