Menu Tetto Anidra

Score - Sustainable Construction in Rural and Fragile Areas for Energy efficiency

Guidelines for Integrated territorial Planning:
Natural lighting

The following guidelines come from a deep analysis of case studies, norms, and regulations, relating at both national and regional levels. This analysis is summarized in a card that can be downloaded in French language.

The natural lighting consists on guarantee a sufficient natural illuminance in buildings, without using electricity and artificial lighting.The unity measurement is the Daylight Factor (DF); it describes the ratio of outside illuminance over inside illuminance, expressed in per cent. In general words, sky is considered as misty with 10 000 lux; therefore, DF will be 2% with an inside illuminance of 200 lux.To improve the natural lighting, basic suggestions could be done:

 French thermal regulations introduced in version 2012, take into consideration these factors by calculating the bioclimatic requirements (heating, cooling and lighting needs). Unfortunately, creating several openings can occur the following problems:

To avoid these risks and put the glass in the right place and the right proportion, it is necessary to involve a specialized consultant, even if they are often too late in the design process.

Indication for the bio-construction action plan

Pursuant to the guidelines written above, are here synthetically reported the criteria/examples for pilot projects to be financed in MED territory, in relation with the specific treated theme. These criteria/examples, together with the ones resulting from all the themes of eco-construction tool matrix, will make up a Bio-construction Action Plan for each partner countries.Bio-climatism, which is part of natural lighting, being integrated in thermal regulation RT 2012, is well studied by professionals. However, a common computer tool would have to be used to pay attention at this theme at the first stage of the project. It would contribute not to increase costs in a too-high way, during this part where budget is usually really controlled. European programs would be interesting to be implemented to deep on these topics. Software already exists but are not sufficiently used. An advertising campaign for architects and engineers schools would contribute teaching users to new technologies.

Possible criteria for MED bio-housing quality certificate

The HQE and French H & E (Housing & Environnement) have a performance criteria based on the natural lighting. To the contrary, in-situ measurements should be obligatory, in order to validate the theoretical calculations made ​​by different software. Indeed, results can be completely different depending on the brand.

Case studies

The case study relative to “natural lighting” is given inside the card in French language that can be downloaded below, notably in “VAUGNERAY”or “PARC ECO-HABITAT”.

Download PDF (France language)