Environmental Controls I/IG

Lecture 13
Solar Geometry
Shading Strategies

Sun Position
Can be described by
two angles:
Altitude
Azimuth

S: p. 1514, T.C.12

Solar Angles
Describe the
sun position
relative to a
vertical
surface

Solar Altitude: (beta)

Vertical angle to
sun position

Solar Azimuth: (phi)

Horizontal
bearing
angle from
south

Surface Azimuth: (psi)

Surface
horizontal
bearing angle
from south

Surface Solar Azimuth:

(gamma)
Angle
between
solar and
surface
azimuths
=-

Sign Conventions
Angles east of
south are
negative
Angles west of
south are
positive

90

-90

+45

-45
0
S

Calculating Surface Solar

Azimuth
=
For example:
Building faade is oriented
south east ( =-45)
Solar azimuth () is 30
west of south
= 30 (-45) = 75
Note: || 90, faade in
shade

30

-45

Profile Angle: (omega)

Defines limits of shade conditions
For horizontal
projections:
TAN()=TAN() / COS(Y)

Profile Angle: (omega)

For horizontal
projections:
SH=PH TAN()
where,
PH: width of enclosing side of
horizontal projection
SH: height of shadow below
horizontal projection

Profile Angle: (omega)

Defines limits of shade
conditions
For vertical projections:
TAN()=TAN(Y)

Profile Angle: (omega)

For vertical projections:
Sw=Pv TAN(Y)
where,
Pv: width of enclosing side
of vertical projection
Sw: width of shadow beyond
vertical projection

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Establish fenestration
pattern and
determine size of
openings

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Determine cut off date and time
for solar penetration
Mar 21 @10 AM solar time
Determine surface azimuth
Due south, =0
Determine required shadow height
SH=6

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Establish profile () angles for the solstices at
solar noon using surface solar azimuth (Y = ).
At solar noon (=0) and for L=40, =0:

=90-23.5-L=26.5
TAN(w)=TAN()/COS(Y)
w=26.5
12/21

6/21=90+23.5-L=73.5

TAN(s)=TAN()/COS(Y)
s=73.5

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Establish profile () angles for cut
off date and time using surface solar
azimuth (Y = ).
At 10 AM solar time and for L=40,
=0:

Sizing Horizontal
Projections
Mar 21 @10 AM
Solar Time
= 41.6
= -41.9
Y=-
Y=-41.9-0=41.9
S: p. 1514, T.C.12

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Establish profile () angles for cut off date
and time using surface solar azimuth (Y =
).
At 10 AM solar time and for L=40, =0:
3/21

=41.6 Y=-41.9
TAN()=TAN()/COS(Y)
TAN()= 0.888/0.744=

1.19
=50

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Given SH = 6 and
SH=PH Tan()
Solve for PH
PH=SH/TAN()
PH=6/1.19=5.04 ~ 5-0

say
5-0

Solar Envelope
Reduce horizontal projections
by adding horizontal louvers
in a vertical screen

Louver
Spacing

Ph

Sh

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Use the summer solstice profile
angle (S) to determine spacing of
vertical louvers
S

H
S

Spacing (S)= H/TAN(S)

If H=12, then S=12/TAN(S)=3.55 say 3
Note: method does not include louver thickness

Sizing Horizontal Projections

Use the summer solstice profile
angle (S) to determine spacing of
reverse inclined louvers

H
S
S

2S

Spacing (S)= H/TAN(S)

If H=12, then S=12/TAN(S)=3.55 say 3
Note: method does not include louver thickness

Lateral Penetration
Mar 21 at 10 AM solar time

When Y0, lateral penetration occurs at an angle

Lateral Penetration
Solutions
Extend projection bilaterally

Lateral Penetration
Solutions
Install vertical component
bilaterally

Critical Angle Analysis

Critical angles define solar
aperture height (SAH)

W
SAH

Sizing Vertical Projections

SW=|PVTAN(Y)|
or

PV=|SW/TAN(Y)|

Sizing Vertical Projections

On Mar 21 @ 10 AM
(Y=-41.9), if SW=6
what should PV be to shade
window
PV=|SW/TAN(Y)|
PV=|6/-1.115|=5.4 ~5-5

Shading
Strategies

Shading Devices Overview

South Faade:
Horizontal overhang
or
Brise-soleil
San Cristobal Stables

The Capital (Chandigarh)

Shading Devices Overview

East/West Faade:
Vertical fins angled
to the north
and/or
Brise-soleil

Keio University Graduate School Research Ce

Monastery of Ste Marie de La Tourette

Shading Devices Overview

North Faade:
Vertical fins (used
in hot climates
only)

Phoenix Central Library

L: p. 559 fig. 17.10b

Shading Devices Tectonics

Vertical
Louvers or Screens

John Deere Headquarters, Moline IL

Jewett Art Center, Wellesley, M

Shading Devices Tectonics

Horizontal
Solid and
louvered planes,
projections or
recesses

Paimio Sanatorium, Finland

Getty Center Los Angeles, CA

Shading Devices
Tectonics

Sculptural
Form

Thickness
Projections
Screens
Beach House, Lido Shores, FL

Reynolds Aluminum
Building, Detroit, MI

Unity Temple, Oak Park, IL

Obayashi Tokyo Design Center