Luminous Illuminance maps due to direct sun

Maps of direct sun hours
These maps show the total of hours during which direct sunrays reaches the facade. Points (red, yellow, etc.) are sensors detecting sunrays on the facade and cumulative hours are displayed for a given period of time (day, month, season, year, etc.).

These cumulative results allow to calculate the number of hours per day for which there is direct sun on a zone of a facade on average per period.

The meteorological data and the environment. For example, on facade 2, in winter, the zone which receives most has direct sun on average 2.5 hours per day and the one which receives the least has about 0.4 hours. During summer, the maximum reaches 5 hours/day and the minimum is at 4 hours/day. The zones have different surfaces in winter and summer.

Maps of the penetration of direct sun
On each sensor, a map of direct sun penetration show the frequencies of incident angles with side and top views. 100% of time is the totale duration of direct light per period.

Map of Diffuse Luminous Illuminance due to the Diffuse Light of the Sky

These maps detail illuminances on the facades under overcast skies. This gives information on the risks of nsufficient natural lighting in the interior spaces, hence the needs for artificial lighting (energy consumption) and the changes in the level of comfort.

All these maps are used by our clients:

• to validate the morphology of a building or a site from the point of view of natural light,
• to compare scenarios,
• to optimise prospects,
• to help the design of passive solar during the architectural design (for a veranda, etc.),
• to place photovoltaic elements or other device for active solar,
• to choose glazings,
• to choose protecting devices, in particular to avoid greenhouse effect and luminous discomfort,
• to create the conditions for high levels of luminous performance, comfort and pleasantness.

All the above points help to place the project in sustainable architecture.