Modification of Atrium Design to Improve Performance: Atrium Building Physics

The inclusion of an atrium within a building is a popular design due to its aesthetic, open appearance. The greater penetration of natural light aids in the reduction in use of artificial lighting during the day. Care must be taken to balance the solar heat gain against the daylight penetration. This balance is critical for the reduction of the electrical energy load of the building, whilst maintaining a high level of comfort for the occupants. The use of angular selective glazing upon atria allows the rejection of high elevation direct sunlight whilst redirecting and therefore improving low elevation skylight penetration. The research showed via computer simulations and field research that under clear sky conditions the modified glazing provided a lower maximum temperature and a more even distribution of illuminance across the course of the day. This analysis should help architects and engineers in understanding the complexity of building design and provide a methodology for looking at alternative solutions.