Daylighting Calculation & Sunpath Analysis Assistant
Calculate daylighting metrics and sunpath analysis for architectural spaces
What You Can Do
You can calculate daylight availability, analyze solar geometry, and predict illuminance levels across interior spaces to optimize natural light integration and reduce energy consumption. This skill automates daylighting metrics—Daylight Factor, Illuminance, Useful Daylight Illuminance—that typically require specialized software like Velux Daylight Visualizer or Radiance, enabling you to justify design decisions to architects, engineers, and clients with measurable data.
Features
Determines the percentage of sky light reaching interior work planes for code compliance (WELL, LEED, BPI standards)
Estimates average and peak lux levels across interior spaces based on window size, orientation, and climate data
Maps seasonal solar angles and beam paths to predict glare risk, shading requirements, and seasonal daylighting variation
Evaluates multiple window sizes, orientations, and configurations against performance targets in seconds
Calculates aperture dimensions needed to meet specific illuminance targets for upper-floor spaces
Incorporates latitude, weather patterns, and seasonal variation to refine daylighting strategies
Generates quantitative metrics and visual summaries to support code compliance and stakeholder communication
Predicts daylight contribution to ambient lighting load, supporting electrical demand reduction calculations
Example Output
Example 1: Office Space Daylight Factor
Input: South-facing office, 5m × 4m × 3m high, 2m² window area, latitude 40°N
Output:
- Daylight Factor: 2.8% (exceeds LEED minimum of 2%)
- Average illuminance (work plane): 285 lux on clear day
- Winter solstice noon illuminance: 180 lux
- Summer solstice noon illuminance: 520 lux
- Risk assessment: High glare potential June–July; recommend 30% external shading
Example 2: Skylight Sizing for Conference Room
Input: Interior conference room, target 300 lux minimum, no windows, latitude 35°N
Output:
- Required skylight area: 4.2 m² (3.5% of floor area)
- Performance: 315 lux average (exceeds target)
- Seasonal variation: 210 lux winter / 480 lux summer
- Recommendation: Install diffusing skylight with automated blinds to reduce summer glare
Example 3: Sunpath Analysis for Façade Design
Input: East-facing façade, glass-to-wall ratio 40%, latitude 51°N
Output:
- Summer solstice: Sun elevation 62° at 9 AM (deep penetration, glare risk)
- Winter solstice: Sun elevation 15° at 9 AM (minimal contribution)
- Shading strategy: Horizontal overhang 1.5m depth blocks 85% summer morning sun; vertical fins 60cm spacing control east-side glare
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with daylighting calculation workflows and metric definitions:
- Daylight Factor Calculator: Step-by-step template for CIE overcast sky method
- Illuminance Prediction Worksheet: Climate data inputs and lux calculation framework
- Sunpath Analysis Chart: Solar altitude/azimuth lookup table for multiple latitudes (28°N–60°N)
- Code Compliance Checklist: WELL Building Standard, LEED v4.1, and BPI reference thresholds
- Window Sizing Guide: Quick-reference formulas for glass area to target illuminance
- Design Report Template: Client-ready summary format with metrics, visuals, and recommendations
Who It's For
- Architectural lighting designers preparing daylighting strategies and justifying design decisions with quantitative metrics
- Architects evaluating window configurations and natural light potential during schematic design
- Sustainability consultants documenting daylight contributions for LEED, WELL, or energy modeling reports
- Building engineers estimating daylight offset to electrical lighting loads and HVAC cooling demand
- Design educators teaching daylighting principles and solar geometry in architecture studios
Best For
- Early schematic design validation before detailed simulation software investment
- Comparing multiple window, skylight, or clerestory configurations against performance targets
- Calculating Daylight Factor, illuminance, or Useful Daylight Illuminance for code compliance
- Analyzing sunpath geometry to predict seasonal glare and shading requirements
- Sizing apertures to achieve specific lux targets for interior work planes
- Generating quantitative daylighting reports for clients, architects, and standards compliance
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