ACOSTA GARCÍA , Ignacio Javier

The main aim of this article is to determine a suitable proportion and shape for monitor skylights, which are characterized mainly by two opposite vertical openings fixed by a reflector of variable shape, for ensuring maximum illuminance on the work plane within a room. This type of skylight has a reflector, which is usually rectangular,...

The current scenario of colorimetry shows a wide variety of different metrics which do not converge in the assessment of the color rendering of light sources. The limitations of the Color Rendering Index have promoted the emergence of new metrics, such as the Color Quality Scale. As in the case of the previous metric, these new concepts are...

Light is the major synchronizer of circadian rhythms to the 24-hour solar day. Compared to the visual system, the circadian system requires more light to be activated and is more sensitive to short-wavelength light. Without access to daylight, or electric lighting providing comparable amount, spectrum, distribution, duration, and timing, human...

The aim of this article was to assess some of the main lighting software programs habitually used in architecture, subjecting them to a series of trials and analyzing the light distribution obtained in situations with different orientations, dates and geometry. The analysis examines Lightscape 3.2, Desktop Radiance 2.0, Lumen Micro 7.5, Ecotect...

The main aim of this article is to offer a predictive method to determine the most significant values of a sky component on the floor of circular or square courtyards of variable sizes under overcast sky conditions to be calculated quickly and precisely. Firstly, analytical geometry is used to calculate the sky component on the floor of the...

The main aim of this article is to analyze the performance of lightwell skylights under overcast sky conditions, determining the daylight factors and luminous distribution produced inside a room. Four different studies are carried out considering a room with a lightwell skylight. The first analyzes the daylight factors according to the size and...

The main aim of this article is to determine a suitable shape for lightscoop skylights, whose main characteristic is a vertical opening oriented in the opposite direction to the solar trajectory, in order to ensure maximum illuminance on the work plane within a room. This type of skylight has a reflector, which is usually rectangular, curved or...

Nowadays, daylight dynamic metrics are the most useful indicators to quantify the use of natural light, with daylight autonomy (DA) being one of the most widespread among all of them. This metric represents the percentage of the occupied time throughout the year in an indoor space when daylight reaches the minimum illuminance level to develop a...

Natural light exposure both in flux and spectrum is essential to human health due to its direct relationship with circadian rhythms. Given that light affects visual performance and circadian rhythms differently, metrics need to assess them independently. The aim of this research is to present a new parametric workflow to integrate metrics...

Window design is decisive in providing appropriate visual comfort for occupants and sufficient energy savings in electric lighting. In daylighting, visual comfort is dependent on the maximum daylight autonomy. Moreover, energy consumption in electric lighting relies on daylight autonomy. The aim of this research is to quantify these metrics in...

Nowadays, there is an in-depth debate about the suitability of daylight saving time. The shift of one hour during summer time allows a better use of daylighting reducing energy consumptions. However, the impact of daylight saving time on the human health has not been quantified in most of the scenarios. The aim of this study is to determine the...

The human biological clock, also known as circadian rhythm, is mainly synchronized by the light perceived, specifically short-wavelength. Insufficient access to daylight or equivalent electric lighting can compromise human health and well-being. The effect of light on the circadian rhythm is greater in children and adolescents than in adults,...

The appropriate preservation and color rendering of paintings and art pieces are a pending subject in architectural heritage, since, in most of the cases, lighting systems are not really focused on the conservation and suitable perception of these heritage resources, due to the limitations of standard LED lamps and lighting configurations. In...

The main aim of this article is to offer a quick and precise predictive method for calculating the daylight factor for different points on the floor of square courtyards under overcast sky conditions. First, the calculation of the predictive method of the sky component is established based on earlier studies and Tregenza algorithms....

The aim of this research is to quantify the daylight autonomy and the useful daylight illuminance produced inside a room for different models of windows, and to conduct an analysis of the results obtained. The shape, size and position of the window are variable, as is the reflectance of the inner surfaces of the room. A total of 28 simulations...

The development of policies to improve energy efficiency and the retrofitting of the existing housing stock requires an adequate knowledge of the operation in practice and user needs. This becomes crucial when intervening in social housing, where household energy practices are likely to be confounded by energy affordability leading to outcomes...

Light is the major synchronizer of circadian rhythms to the 24-hour solar day. Compared to the visual system, the circadian system requires more light to be activated and is more sensitive to short-wavelength light. Daylighting is an ideal light source for circadian entrainment. Architectural and design features, such as window size and room...

Daylight metrics act as a useful tool to quantify the potential of natural light in an architectural space as well as the energy savings promoted by a suitable design of windows, atriums, and skylights. Accordingly, a new indoor lighting metric is proposed, minimum daylight autonomy, defined as the percentage of occupied time when an...