Finished Model 1 – Nathaniel Jones

1. Building performance simulations and models of human visual comfort allow us to predict situations in which daylight-caused glare will occur based on digital building models and climate data. Unfortunately, the simulation tools currently available to architects cannot produce results fast enough for interactive use during design ideation. Recently, our lab has developed the ability to run these simulations in real-time, allowing us to provide architects with immediate feedback on the potential for visual discomfort in their designs. In this paper, we compare two simulation tools for visual comfort based on their effects on design process, design performance, and user satisfaction. We presented forty subjects with two design problems, asking them to reduce the likelihood of glare in office environments while maintaining acceptable daylit illuminance values on the work plane. Each subject analyzed one space with DIVA-for-Rhino 4.0, a commercial lighting analysis plugin for the Rhinoceros CAD environment, and one space with AcceleradRT, an experimental tool for physically based real-time rendering. Both tools provided subjects with false color luminance maps representing occupant views and corresponding daylight glare probabilities, but DIVA-for-Rhino required subjects to wait for feedback from each viewpoint, while AcceleradRT provided continuous feedback as subjects navigated the space. Using as much simulation feedback as they felt necessary during a timed exercise, we asked subjects to choose static shading device options that were appropriate for all times and positions. Subjects using AcceleradRT performed more analysis and reported higher confidence in their designs and higher satisfaction with the task. In some cases, proposed design solutions informed by AcceleradRT perform notably better than do those informed by DIVA-for-Rhino.
2. Building performance simulations and models of human visual comfort allow us to predict situations in which daylight-caused glare will occur based on digital building models and climate data. Unfortunately, the simulation tools currently available to architects cannot produce results fast enough for interactive use during design ideation. Recently, our lab has developed the ability to run these simulations in real-time, allowing us to provide architects with immediate feedback on the potential for visual discomfort in their designs. However, we know little about how architects react to simulation feedback presented in real-time. In our study, forty subjects with backgrounds in building design and technology completed two shading design exercises to balance glare reduction and annual daylight availability in two open office arrangements using two simulation tools with differing system response times. Subjects with access to real-time simulation feedback tested more design options, reported higher confidence in design quality and increased satisfaction with the design task, and produced better-performing final designs regarding spatial daylight autonomy and daylight glare probability.
3. Glare is a common occurrence in daylit office buildings. Building performance simulations and models of human visual comfort allow us to predict when and where daylight-caused glare will occur. Unfortunately, the software tools currently available to architects cannot produce results fast enough for interactive use during design ideation. Our tool can run these simulations in real-time and provide architects with immediate feedback on the potential for visual discomfort in their designs. However, we know little about how architects react to simulation feedback presented in real-time. In our study, forty subjects with backgrounds in building design and technology completed two design exercises to balance glare reduction and annual daylight availability in two open office models using two simulation tools with different response times. Subjects with access to real-time simulation feedback tested more design options, reported higher confidence in design quality and increased satisfaction with the design task, and produced designs with more access to daylight and lower probability of glare.
4. Glare is a common occurrence in daylit office buildings. Simulations and our understanding of human visual comfort allow us to predict when and where glare will occur. Unfortunately, the tools available to architects today are too slow to be useful as design aids. We developed a tool that solves the speed problem, but it remains to be seen how architects will react to the availability of real-time glare analysis. In our study, forty subjects completed two design exercises to balance glare reduction and daylight availability in two open office models using tools with different speeds. Subjects with access to real-time analysis tried more design ideas, reported higher confidence and satisfaction, and produced designs with more access to daylight and less glare.
5. Glare is a common occurrence in buildings because architects lack the tools to predict its occurrence. In our study, forty subjects designed daylit spaces and attempted to reduce glare likelihood using our fast tool and another slower tool. Subjects with the faster tool tried more design ideas, reported higher confidence and satisfaction, and produced designs with more access to daylight and less glare.