Figure 6.3 Reference plane set-up and daylighting evaluation of a space

Slovakia 0.6% 1.8% 3.1% 4.6%

Another evaluation method is based on Daylight Autonomy47, which is part of EN 17037. It handles about a year-long analysis of daylight hours. This requirement determines whether the target illuminance and minimum target illuminance values will be met for certain time periods a day.

Daylight factor and illuminance values are to be determined over a reference plane. The reference plane (mostly horizontal) as it can be seen on the figure below (Figure 1.3) is a grid of points, usually set up at a height of 850 mm above the floor (table level) and in a distance of 500 mm away from the closest walls. 850 mm above floor is standard for offices, classrooms, living spaces, and others. For kindergartens it’s at 450 mm (may depend on local conditions), gyms at 100 mm. The distance between points is around 500 mm, for bigger spaces the distance rises.

After the values are determined it comes to an evaluation. The space below meets the requirements at an area slightly larger than 70%.

Figure 7.3Reference plane set-up and daylighting evaluation of a space

47 New Buildings Institute, University of Washington, Integrated Design Lab, and University of Idaho, Integrated Design Lab. n.d. Advanced Buildings. Accessed 10 10, 2021. https://patternguide.advancedbuildings.net/using-this-guide/analysis-methods/daylightautonomy.