How LEED v4 Will Radically Change Daylighting: Workshop & Tour

By Dan GlaserConferences

Rocky Mountain Green 2016
Thursday, April 21, 2016 

Part 1: The Workshop 

DaVita World Headquarters: 16th St.
Denver, CO 80202 

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm MT 

This talk was co-presented with Tom Hootman (MKK Consulting Engineers), and Dane Sanders (Clanton & Associates). 

The significance and urgency of proper daylighting in buildings is undeniable. Daylighting is arguably the primary experiential and physiological connection occupants have with a building, and is the simplest and most cost-effective means of reducing a building’s electrical energy use. Yet ironically, it is often the most misunderstood and underutilized system to be integrated into a building’s design. Why? Four industry experts will address this question, offering unique perspectives on the radical concepts embedded in the LEED BD+C v4 EQc7 “Daylight Credit”. An architect specializing in net-zero energy building design, a professor of daylighting with expertise in glare, a daylighting consultant, and a software developer of cloud-based daylighting tools will share insights and provide practical advice in four visionary talks on how LEED v4 (EQc7) will change how daylighting is conceptualized, collaborated on and executed in buildings. 

Through graphics and animations generated from innovative simulation tools, presenters discussed the strengths and limitations of the new metrics promoted in LEED v4. Presenters went beyond reciting formulas to help participants define these metrics in meaningful terms they can visualize, understand and use in their every-day practice. 

The Following Issues were explored: 

  • The Workplane:  LEED BD+C v4 EQc7 requires you to only measure light at the workplane. What are the implications of only looking at light at a horizontal plane 30″ above the floor? Presenters discussed the benefits of analyzing light in other critical areas, such as the ceiling and wall, and the issues of glare in these contexts.
  • Annual Climate: The nuances of daylight given subtle changes in climate are not obvious. As demonstrated by LEED v4’s vastly improved precision of climate, presenters illustrated how different regions can impact the same design in profoundly different ways. In addition, novel concepts using sunrise and sunsets, ranges of climate that go beyond LEED v4 will be presented.
  • Dynamic Blinds:Unknown to many, LEED v4 has a model of occupant behavior for opening and closing the blinds, depending on daylight position and availability which both directly and indirectly affect the scores. Presenters discussed the assumptions built into the model, how realistic they are and how they compare with motorized automated blinds.
  • The ‘Goodness’ of Quantification:LEED v4 has several cut-offs built into its calculations, such as only scoring positively when exactly half or more of the year exceeds a threshold. Presenters illustrated cases where these boundaries meet, exceed, or contradict design expectations.

Part 2: The Tour 

Museum of Contemporary Art
1485 Delgany St.
Denver, CO 80202 

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm MT 

This tour led by Glaser, Hootman, and Sanders, and highlighted the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art’s daylighting strategies. 

Dan and Tom Hootman of MKK Consulting Engineers at the Denver Museum of Contemporary Art for Thursday’s Daylighting Tour. 
Dane Sanders of Clanton & Associates talks daylighting strategies inside of Denver’s acclaimed museum. 
On Friday, Sydney Nelson and Will Whiteneck of LightStanza enjoyed their time as at Rocky Mountain Green as sponsors for the event.