Superposition Reflective Louver: An Optimal Daylight System for Atrium Illuminance

Abstract

One of the most fundamental issues in modern architecture is the provision of indoor illuminance using daylight, especially in the deep spaces that are far from the openings. In nature, organisms are equipped with some unique strategies to manage light for survival. Nature consistently considers the optimal response to take advantage of environmental conditions. In the present study, reflecting superposition, the process of lobster vision in directing light toward the retina, is investigated as an optimal solution for directing light through architectural space. First, the function and structure of a reflective superposition eye are studied and practical biological principles are extracted from relevant biological databases. Then, these extracted principles are applied in the design of reflective louver, and considering the climatic and operational parameters, the process of simulation and parametric design of the reflector louver is described. Finally, the data extracted from simulation stage are evaluated and directly compared to the base state. The results indicate an appropriate performance of the designed louver in improving atrium illuminance.