A Design for a daylit energy efficient building

Abstract

Daylighting was investigated as a strategy for achieving energy-efficiency in a hypo­thetical small multi-functional building situated in downtown Calgary. The two part hypothesis stated that energy-efficiency could be achieved without minimizing the building's volume to surface area ratio and that daylighting could increase energy-efficiency. The project involved the comparison of four designs that were based on the architectural programme. Three of these buildings had articulated massings, while the fourth had a massing with a low volume to surface area ratio. Computer simulations were used to examine the effects of massing,. glazing, and daylighting strategies on energy­efficiency. The findings were applied in the design of an energy efficient daylit building.