Smart Building Design: Daylight & Ventilation Essentials

This course explores essential strategies for daylighting and natural ventilation in smart buildings. Through lectures, hands-on projects, and case studies, participants will learn to design energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable spaces using climate data, simulation tools, and integrated building systems.

Module 1: Fundamentals of Sustainable Building Design

• Introduction to sustainability in architecture
• Importance of energy efficiency and occupant comfort
• Overview of building performance metrics

Module 2: Climate Analysis and Site Context

• Understanding solar paths and wind patterns
• Site orientation and its impact on design
• Utilizing climate data for design decisions

Module 3: Daylighting Principles and Strategies

• Designing for optimal natural light
• Use of reflective surfaces and light shelves
• Glazing options and shading devices
• Daylight harvesting techniques

Module 4: Natural Ventilation Techniques

• Cross ventilation and stack effect
• Placement of openings and vents
• Integration with building layout
• Passive cooling strategies

Module 5: Simulation Tools and Performance Analysis

• Introduction to software like Radiance and EnergyPlus
• Modeling daylight and airflow
• Interpreting simulation results
• Case studies using simulation tools

Module 6: Integration with Building Systems

• Combining daylighting and ventilation with HVAC systems
• Smart controls and automation
• Energy monitoring and management

Module 7: Codes, Standards, and Certifications

• Understanding LEED, WELL, and other certifications
• Compliance with local building codes
• Documentation and performance verification

Module 8: Advanced Topics and Emerging Trends

• Biophilic design and occupant well-being
• Adaptive comfort models
• Integration of renewable energy sources

Module 9: Final Project

• Design a building incorporating daylighting and natural ventilation strategies
• Present simulation results and design rationale
• Peer review and feedback

🌞 Mentor Lecture Modules

Module 1: Foundations of Daylighting in Sustainable Buildings

• Importance and benefits of daylighting
• Human comfort, productivity, and health impacts
• Site analysis and solar orientation
• Types of daylighting systems (skylights, light shelves, clerestory windows)
• Assessing daylight availability
  Learning Objectives:
• Understand daylighting’s role in building sustainability
• Identify suitable daylighting systems for different building types
• Analyze site and orientation for optimal daylight use

Module 2: Practical Daylighting Design & Simulation Tools

• Daylighting design strategies for various spaces
• Shading, glazing, and reflectance control
• Integration with electric lighting (daylight harvesting)
• Hands-on introduction to simulation tools (DIALux, Radiance, Velux Daylight Visualizer)
• Evaluating daylight performance metrics (DF, UDI, DA, etc.)
  Learning Objectives:
• Apply effective daylighting strategies in real projects
• Use digital tools to simulate and optimize daylight in building designs
• Interpret simulation results to improve designs

Module 3: Principles & Techniques of Natural Ventilation

• Fundamentals of airflow and ventilation
• Types: cross ventilation, stack effect, atrium design
• Passive vs. hybrid ventilation systems
• Placement and sizing of openings (windows, vents, louvers)
• Impact of climate, wind, and building geometry
  Learning Objectives:
• Explain how natural ventilation reduces energy consumption
• Design effective passive ventilation solutions for different climates
• Optimize building geometry and opening placement for airflow

Module 4: Integrated Design & Real-World Applications

• Integrating daylighting and natural ventilation for high-performance buildings
• Smart controls and automation (IoT, sensors, AI applications)
• Review of global case studies and best practices
• Common design challenges and solutions
• Group design activity: apply learning to a sample project
  Learning Objectives:
• Synthesize daylight and ventilation strategies in integrated designs
• Evaluate real-world examples for lessons learned
• Collaborate on a capstone design challenge with mentor guidance