Typology of Buildings with Grating Smart Windows with Azimuthally Optimized Light Transmission
Rustam Zakirullin
Abstract
A novel architectural typology of buildings is proposed with special transmission of each window without the use of additional daylight shading/redirecting devices. Minimum transmission at a preset time and self-regulated transmission at the rest of the time, adapted to the sun’s trajectory, are achieved due an optical filter having two thin-film gratings with alternating transmissive and chromogenic strips. The building typology algorithm was realized by calculating the geometric parameters of grating filters for various facades and their temporal characteristics of direct light transmittance. The results demonstrated the minimization of transmission at the preset time of day, and acceptable filter operation at other times, as also validated by daylighting and glare metrics evaluation. A smart window with grating filter can partially or completely block direct sunlight and let in diffused light, unlike other versions of smart technologies that have been developing rapidly in recent years. The ergonomic, environmental, and aesthetic properties of such a smart window are improved by the absence of additional devices. This typology has potential applications, especially in office and industrial buildings due to the need for sun protection during the daytime, as well as in buildings with curved facades with continuous azimuth changes.