CELLULAR METHOD FOR OPTIMAL SHADING


A method to determine the optimal form of shading-means, according to evaluation of numerous notional-cells; thereby, providing better thermal and visual comfort and maximum energy conservation in mechanical systems of cooling and heating.

The Cellular Method for Optimal Shading is currently US Patent Pending.

PROCESS


The method evaluates numerous notional-cells of proposed shading-means or of space adjacent to proposed shaded space, for their degree of importance to provide shade or solar penetration. Then, we can utilize this information to modify the proposed shading-means or to determine new shading-means consistent with design guidelines.

This process can be applied for particular preferred period in order to design fixed or seasonal shading-means (such as shading devices, overhangs, inclined walls, etc). In addition, it can be applied for a sequence of short time-segments in order to design dynamic shading systems.

 

 
CALCULATED FACTORS

 

  • Regional, seasonal, and diurnal variations in received solar radiation, including azimuth, altitude, and intensity

  • Regional, seasonal, and diurnal climatic conditions

  • Seasonal, and diurnal thermal and visual indoor conditions

  • Window properties including, shape, orientation, inclination, and solar transmittance

  • Solar obstructions

  • Thermal and visual comfort dependent on occupant physiology, schedule, and activities

 
SOFTWARE

A computer program, OPTIMAL-SHADING, is using the Cellular Method for Optimal Shading, conducting about 800,000 calculations to determine the optimal shape of shading-means.

Currently OPTIMAL-SHADING is being further developed to support building-design computer programs to provide a real-time mapping over shading-means, directing the user for necessary modifications.

PLUGIN


As result of collaboration with SQUARE ONE research PTY LTD, Currently, the Cellular Method for Optimal Shading is partially used within the software ECOTECT (http://www.squ1.com). At this point, ECOTECT utilizes the Cellular Method technique of accumulating radiation data on analysis grid, directly within ECOTECT.

The full advantages of the Cellular Method for Optimal Shading would be available soon using a CELLULAR METHOD ECOTECT PLUGIN.

The CELLULAR METHOD ECOTECT PLUGIN would enable the mapping of shading importance within ECOTECT, accounting for both importance to provide shade and solar penetration. Other features which would be also available through the CELLULAR METHOD ECOTECT PLUGIN are space evaluation, real time mapping, automatic modifications, loads' bias, reflected and diffuse radiation, and daylight savings.

The benefits of using the CELLULAR METHOD ECOTECT PLUGIN over OPTIMAL-SHADING software are that both windows and proposed shading devices are not limited in form; and the thermal analysis is provided directly from ECOTECT.


REFERENCES

 

  • Kaftan, Eran. 2001. The Cellular Method to Design Energy Efficient Shading Form to Accommodate the Dynamic Characteristics of Climate. Master Thesis (Architecture). The University of Arizona. 183p.

  • Kaftan, Eran. The Cellular Method to Design Energy Efficient Shading Form to Accommodate the Dynamic Characteristics of Climate. Conference proceedings. PLEA 2001 - The 18th Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture. Florianopolis, Brazil. 7-9 November 2001. Volume 2. pp 829-833.

  • Kaftan, Eran. Cellular Method for Optimal Solar Shading. US Patent Application. 46p.

 
PRESENTATIONS

 

2001

  • The University of Arizona, School of Architecture, US
  • Arizona State University, School of Architecture, US
  • PLEA 2001, The 18th International Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Brazil

2002

  • Moshe Safdie Associates, US
  • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Building Technologies, US
  • Symbios, Eco-Design, CA, US
  • DeBoer Architects, CA, US
  • San Luis Sustainability Group, CA, US
  • Frank 0. Gehry & Associates Inc, CA, US
  • Ben-Gurion University, Desert Architecture Institute, Israel
  • Kones Solar Architecture, Israel

2003

  • Avinoam Levin Architects, Israel
  • Israeli Building Center, Israel
  • Feilden Clegg Bradley, London, UK
  • ARUP, Research + Development, London, UK
  • Foster and Partners, London, UK
  • Max Fordham Consulting Engineers, London, UK
  • Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff, UK