Improve Daylight Distribution Using Parametric Control: Evaluating an Integrated Prismatic Louvers Design via Grasshopper modelling and V-Ray Simulation

Louvers are common type of shading devices and are increasingly used in office buildings to provide shade, and simultaneously some reflective types of louvers have been used to redirect daylight into the building. Meanwhile, automation systems are applied recently in these shading devices to improve the efficiency of daylight, provide visual and thermal comfort and save energy. In order to maximize the benefits of daylight, these shading devices should be controlled efficiently using advanced control methods. This article investigates new control method using integrated shading devices, aiming to achieve better daylight availability and visual comfort. The proposed method is based on an algorithmic system using parametric software known as Grasshopper, in order to control the automation process as a first step, then the simulation process will occur using V-Ray engine for 3D MAX. The integrated shading device is a combination between automated louvers and prismatic panel, can be called as Prismatic Louvers. The design properties of the Prismatic Louvers will be verified using V-Ray plugin based on 3D MAX, where V-Ray is an advanced software specified in physical properties of the materials and lighting systems. Furthermore, Prismatic Louvers will be controlled parametrically using Grasshopper. The study will pass through a comparison between two previously investigated systems (Prismatic panel and Reflective slats) and the proposed integrated system (Prismatic louvers) respectively. Where, the combination between Prismatic panel and Reflective slats will produce the integrated system, aiming to use the facility of each system. The systems were applied on a south oriented room in New Cairo, using clear sky with direct sunlight, on June 21st, September 21st and December 21st. The main goal of the study is to improve the daylight performance and save energy.