This paper suggests a daylighting design method by combining a passive approach and advanced software to design external shading devices for daylighting in a classroom. A simplified method to predict and assess the indoor natural illuminance is a prerequisite for designers to design schools with better performance. Recently there has been growing demand for school refurbishment; mainly environmental improvement of classrooms in Korea. However, the passive approach of design has been neglected while the use of advanced simulation software has increased, requiring additional time and cost. Combining passive design methods with up-to-date numerical simulation is explored with shading devices to verify the daylighting distribution and daylight autonomy in classrooms with different orientations and shading forms. Weather tool Autodesk Ecotect, for the shading coefficient, and DaySim software (v3.0), for daylight autonomy, were adopted for the initial and the detail design stage, respectively. The findings support the linked design approaches of passive and advanced software would benefit designers in the strategic design process with further potential for design options and lighting electricity reduction.

This study analyzed the environmental role of a flexible canopy as a microclimate modifier in balancing indoor energy demands and outdoor thermal comfort. Flexible building elements are often installed in traditional buildings, depending on the local climate in southern Europe. The architectural performance of a canopy was analyzed using several environmental software packages (Ecotect, Rayman, WinAir, DaySim, and EDSL TAS). Coupling methods were applied to determine the environmental influence of the attached building element, a canopy with fixed and operable panes in different orientations and locations. The results showed that the flexible canopy played a crucial role in reducing indoor energy demands (heating and electricity for lighting) and increasing outdoor thermal comfort under the canopy area. Outdoor thermally comfortable conditions ranging between 13 and 29 °C in the canopy space could be enhanced by 56.3% over the entire year by manipulating a flexible canopy, compared with a fixed canopy with 90% transparency in London. The flexible canopy with higher transparency helped increase outdoor thermal comfort in Glasgow, while one with lower transparency showed better performance during summer in London. The findings of this research will help broaden the range of architectural elements used in buildings.

There has been a significant increase in opportunities to improve school environments in the UK. There has, however, been little study on the design of sheltered transitional spaces, despite growing architectural demand for this, examples of which can be easily found in most primary schools in the UK. Computer simulations (Rayman, Ecotect and Winair4) were performed to identify the influence of different parameters: that of having a canopy; the effect of the transmissivity of the canopy material (three transparencies 0%, 50% and 90% were considered); orientation (four orientations-north, east, south and west-were considered); and location (three cities: London, Manchester and Glasgow). The combined effects of canopy transparency and orientation were shown to be critical design considerations in affecting comfort conditions in outdoor spaces. It was found that outdoor comfort conditions in the transitional space can be enhanced by 41.5% in August by choosing a canopy of 0% transparency, compared with a canopy of 90% transparency in London. The fixed canopy with a higher transparency helped to increase outdoor thermal comfort in Glasgow, while one with a lower transparency showed better performance during summer in London. This research will help design environmentally sophisticated transitional spaces in schools.

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