Proceedings of BS2015: 14 th Conference of International Building Performance Simulation Association, Hyderabad, India, December 7-9 SOLVING GLARE PROBLEMS IN ARCHITECTURE THROUGH INTEGRATION OF HDR IMAGE TECHNIQUE AND MODELING WITH DIVA Zhe Kong 1 , Michael Utzinger 1 , Lei Liu 2 1 University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 2 Harbin Institute of Technology ABSTRACT This paper describes a replicable process of design solutions to the problem of excessive glare in buildings. A case study using a recently completed building with severe glare problems provides the research procedure. First, glare is evaluated using the HDR image technique. Second, a Radiance model of the building is calibrated using the HDR images. Two design strategies are evaluated: the combination of brise soleils and mechoshades, along with venetian blinds. These proposed shading strategies are evaluated using the calibrated model followed by a DIVA annual glare simulation. Finally, the ability of each to reduce glare is discussed and the shading system combined by both brise soleils and mechoshade is recommended as the solution. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES A well-designed daylit space should satisfy both quantitative and qualitative respects. The former refers to a space with sufficient illuminance ratios on working planes in even distribution; the latter is related to a comfortable visual environment for occupants. Most spaces implement shading devices to block direct sunlight and reflect parts of it to the rear space. With the absence of a shading device, a space may be at risk of severe glare, which may lead to headaches, eye fatigue, or exhaustion. Furthermore, the appearance of glass curtain walls in many modern buildings has increased the severity of glare in such spaces. In this paper, more serious glare issues stem from a huge curtain wall in winter with low sun angles. Under this situation, the authors physically analyze glare by combining High Dynamic Range (HDR) images with available simulation tools for estimating glare. The application of these tools permit the analysis of solar control strategies to effectively reduce the glare in the space. A recently completed hospital located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (43.1 ◦ N, -87.8 ◦ W) has severe glare issues in its two-story entry lobby and patient common. The facility is located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, and the lobby and common spaces are enclosed by two-story curtain walls. The lobby is a congregation spot for the staff to welcome patients, answer questions, and direct patients to appropriate waiting areas throughout the common. Figure 1 shows the floor plan. The lobby is an 18.3m-by- 14.8m rectangle, facing southeast. On its east-west face, the common spans 104.3m, while it runs 9.4m north-south. The common’s glazing faces south and southwest. The ceiling is 11.6m high with two sections extending to 21.3m high, reaching the hospital’s fourth floor. With its tall curtain walls facing southeast, south and southwest, the common presents each occupant with direct sunlight and serious glare problems, especially in winter with low sun angles. Because of the complaints from the staff and patients, some mobile partitions were brought in a couple of months after the facility opened (Figure 2a and b). However, these partitions neither fulfil the function of a traditional shading device nor do they aesthetically fit into the building design. Furthermore, the employment of these partitions usually block the staff and patients’ walking spaces and the registration desk. Hence, an effective and integrated design shading system is required to reduce glare and provide both the staff and patients a visually comfortable environment. A number of studies have previously evaluated shading strategies in regards to lighting environment and energy impact. However, there are relatively fewer studies on daylighting performance that focus on either static or dynamic glare calculations. Therefore, this paper evaluates the lighting quality of a real world space, proposes solutions to its glare issues and simulates the results. Since this study Figure 1: Hospital layout of the first floor Figure 2: Movable partitions as shading devices