TS2015 Climate based daylight modelling and the optimisation of school classroom

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Session 8 Paper 3, University College London, 16-17 April 2015

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This paper discusses the new Climate Based Daylight Modelling (CBDM) metrics, Daylight Autonomy (DA) and Useful Daylight Indicator (UDI), in relation to the design of school classrooms for the new Priority School Building Program (PSBP). “The PSBP is a centrally managed programme set up to address the needs of the schools most in need of urgent repair. Through the programme, 261 schools will be rebuilt or have their condition needs met by the Education Funding Agency (EFA).”(1) To meet the requirement of the PSPB, the EFA have created the facilities output specification (FOS) (2) setting out the criteria contractors have to meet when constructing schools under the programme. One of the criteria is the requirement for daylight and the undertaking of CBDM to prove sufficient daylight is being provided within the school.

Using a typical classroom dimension and construction, a series of simulations were undertaken on various window configurations in order to achieve the required metrics for UDI while minimising construction cost. Several factors of the window and room configuration were changed to determine their impact on the UDI. This paper details each factor, how it can be varied and the impact on the UDI, with the aim to achieve compliance with the FOS. This was used to inform a standard room and window design for new schools.