Evaluating visual comfort and performance of three natural lighting systems for deep office buildings in highly luminous climates

This work, part of a wider study, presents a qualitative and quantitative approach to evaluate daylighting systems for use in office buildings located in latitudes where natural luminous conditions throughout the year are of high solar radiation, as in Israel. Their widespread application in this kind of climate, where the excessive penetration of direct radiation can be a problem, is possible. They can produce a consequent improvement of working conditions and energy savings, yet this is not the case now. Three different systems that affect penetration of daylight in a sidelit office space were analysed: a single window without any external protection, a horizontal lightshelf and a basic anidolic concentrator, mounted on the view window, together with improved reflectances of the Surface's finishes making office space. These were simulated through Radiance in a prototype that responds to a deep office space typology for different seasons of the year and hours of the day. The systems are compared for illuminance and glare performance. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.