Biomimicry inspired design for daylighting through roof of multipurpose hall

Abstract

In institutional buildings, a multipurpose hall is often the single large interior space that relies majorly on artificial lighting while conducting functions during day time which mostly coincide with daylight hours. Maximum use of daylight in building design is necessary to reduce the energy demand created by artificial lighting during day hours. Studies show that electrical lighting energy use can be reduced by 25-50% with advanced lighting sources, design strategies and controls; and by 75% with the addition of daylighting. Modification of multipurpose hall roof inspired by Biomimicry concept, which is based on the study of nature´s models (designs and processes) as an inspiration to be replicated to solve human problems, could be an effective option for daylighting to ensure energy savings and visual comfort. The aim of this research is to explore the opportunities of creating biomimicry designs of a multipurpose hall roof and analyse the effectiveness of different biomimicry inspired roof configurations to ensure maximum use of daylight ensuring energy savings and visual comfort of users. The 3D models of case multipurpose hall with different biomimicry inspired roof strategy were first generated in the ECOTECT. Next, the decisions were verified with DAYSIM simulation program to ensure the compliance of the decisions with dynamic annual climate-based daylight performance metrics. A roof configuration based on morphodesign approach, (i.e. related with shapes and structures of Dolichopteryx longpipes) was found as most superior biomimicry inspired configuration among the studied options for multipurpose hall in aneducational building located at Chattogram. Further study was conducted with different roof opening angel along with different ceiling to roof depth. Flat platform with a 50 roof opening angel and 900 mm ceiling to roof depth of the biomimetic roof configuration was found as the best biomimetic roof among the studied experimental parametric configurations at the task plane throughout the year for the case multipurpose hall. It is expected that, the findings of this research will inspire architects and designers to adapt the concept of biomimicry in improving design especially for effective daylight distribution in architecture design through the roof. Keywords Biomimicry, multipurpose hall, roof configurations, daylighting, simulation.