What is the impact of orientation on daylight availability? (Competition Winner)

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What is this graphic showing? Describe the different parts of the graphic and how it communicates the data.

This graphic shows daylight analysis of four multi-dwelling units in Seattle. In the left part, the four living units have the same floor configuration but different orientations. The study highlighted three target areas (workstations, living areas, and kitchen counters); annual and point-in-time Illuminance are used as simulation scenarios. The scatterplots set distance to window (ft) as x-axis and illuminance value (lux) as y-axis.

What type of graphic is this?

Design Variables

Is this part of the ASHRAE-209 cycle?

What tools were used for the simulation analysis?

What tools did you use to create the graphic?

What was successful and/or unique about the graphic in how it communicates information?

Due to the unit geometry, multi-family dwelling units commonly have underlit problems. Compared to the traditional daylight workflow, the graphic highlights the target areas and visualizes the illuminance values in different orientation and simulation scenarios. The results reveal the illuminance variations in different interior surfaces and the illuminance change with the distance to window.

Is there anything else you would like to mention?

By using the varied illuminance threshold in the y-axis, the results highlight the data patterns in each plot. For the North-facing units, the illuminance patterns under three simulation scenarios stay consistent. For the South-facing units, the illuminance values under clear sky conditions show a significant distinction, suggesting the South-facing units require shading strategy.