Center for Integrated Building Design Research Jan 2009 | Page 51

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 3

Figure 4

Graphing Luminance
Screens of various lengths were positioned with an arched shape to diffuse the available luminance. Figure 1 represents an
overly bright condition up to 24’ from the window wall on the 2nd floor with negligible gain of first floor luminance. The same
condition is illustrated in Figure 2 with a shorter 12’ linear product. While contrast of illuminance values is higher in this
iteration, our analysis showed that the balance of luminance can be best controlled by modifiers within the fenestration. Figure
3 shows improvement in the luminance balance across a full 36’ from the window wall on both floors in addition to a marked
increase on the first floor space. A 3’ exterior sun shade is attached 4’ from the top of the southern glazing and between the
vertical “fins” of each structural bay. Figure 4 shows that the 3’ shading device improves the balance of illuminance and pushes
light further into the floor space.