A sun path diagram in architecture is a chart that plots the position of the sun, given as azimuth and altitude, for every hour of the day across the year at one latitude. Architects read it to predict shadows, sunlight hours and glare, then set building orientation, shading depth and...
A brise-soleil, French for sun breaker, is an exterior shading structure, usually a set of horizontal or vertical fins fixed to a facade, that blocks direct summer sun before it reaches the glass. It cuts solar heat gain and glare while still letting in daylight and the lower winter sun,...
A Trombe wall is a thick, sun facing wall of masonry or water containers set directly behind a pane of glass. It absorbs solar radiation during the day, stores the energy in its mass, and releases the heat into the building after sunset. Because it needs no pumps, fans, or...
Daylighting in architecture is the controlled use of natural light, admitted through windows, skylights, and other openings, to illuminate interior spaces. Architects shape building orientation, opening size, glazing type, and shading so that daylight replaces electric lighting for much of the day, cutting energy use while improving comfort and health....
I once walked into a commercial property that looked polished from the street but told a different story inside. The lights flickered in the hallway, several rooms felt uncomfortably warm, and the exterior paint had faded unevenly under years of sun exposure. None of the problems seemed dramatic on their...
A few summers ago, I spent an afternoon in a beautifully landscaped backyard that was almost impossible to use. The paving reflected heat like a mirror, the dining table sat in full sun, and the only light available after sunset came from a glaring wall fixture beside the back door....
Low-E glass vs standard glass comes down to how each handles heat. Low-emissivity glass carries a microscopic metallic coating that reflects infrared energy while letting daylight through, so a building stays warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Standard glass has no coating and allows far more heat to pass...
