|  | GNOMON CONSULTING, LLC | | Promoting Daylighting in Design |
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This is possibly the most critical phase for a daylighting consultant (as well as the other design disciplines) to be involved. Big decisions are made at this time (such as site, building orientation, programming) that have major impacts on the feasibility of daylighting and other energy-saving strategies. Reaching consensus within the design team on sustainability goals and how to approach the design problem at this early stage will pay big dividends later on in the project.
An initial analysis of the proposed site for daylighting potential is an essential step in understanding the feasibility of proposed project goals. Depending upon the size of the project and the goals for sustainability, this analysis could be as simple as utilizing a rudimentary massing model to look at sun and shadow patterns on the site, or as complex as participating in a series of eco-charettes with client and design team members. It's very important for the design team to learn, at this early stage, what strategies will most likely provide the best results for saving energy and increasing daylighting potential. Decisions made at this point constrain every decision that comes later.
At this point it may also be possible to set criteria regarding light level requirements for specific task areas and establish possible daylight zones. With proposed daylight zones established, an initial rough estimate of energy savings from harvesting daylight can then be calculated. |
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