| Abstract | This paper summarizes key findings from an online survey on the use of daylight simulations in building design. 185 individuals completed the survey. The majority worked in Canada, the United States, and Germany as engineers (38%), designers (31%), and researchers (23%). Participants worked predominantly on offices and schools. 91% included daylighting aspects in their building design. Among those participants who considered daylighting 79% used computer simulations. This strong sample bias reflects that some participants had been recruited through building simulation mailing lists. Tools' complexity and insufficient documentation were identified as weaknesses of existing programs. Self-training was the most common training method. Tool usage was significantly higher during design development than during schematic design. Most survey participants used daylighting software for parameter studies and presented the results to their clients as a basis for design decisions. While daylight factor and interior illuminances were the most common simulation outputs, shading type and control were the most common design aspects influenced by daylighting analysis. Scale model use has fallen compared to a 1994 survey, whereas trust in the reliability of daylighting tools has risen. While participants used a total of 42 different daylight simulation programs, over 50% of program selections were for tools that use RADIANCE. |
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