Oct. 7, 2020 - More than ever, architects are having to include strategies for glare and solar heat gain mitigation into their designs as they turn to additional and larger areas of glazing.

An exterior system is a most effective way to deal with solar heat gain. If the shading system is designed to significantly reduce the level of solar energy entering the building and resulting heat gain levels, then such a design will also reduce the building’s cooling requirements.

"Once solar heat gain has passed through glazing, it is difficult to reflect it back out to prevent reflection on the interior glazing surface," said Erik Olsen, managing partner, Transsolar KlimaEngineering, New York. "This is critical not only to reducing cooling load or cooling energy from mechanical systems but also maximizing the usefulness of passive measures, such as natural ventilation or night flushing, which are more effective with very low cooling loads."

To help architects design better daylighting and shading systems that protect occupant comfort and reduce operational costs, Draper is introducing an online AIA educational course.

After taking the course, "Mitigating Glare and Solar Heat Gain with Exterior Shading Systems," architects will be able to:

• Review key research establishing the health and wellness, occupant comfort and productivity, and energy savings benefits of daylighting;
• Explain how solar heat gain occurs, and why exterior shading systems are an appropriate and effective way to manage it;
• Identify the main variables that must be evaluated to select the optimal exterior shading system for a project to improve the health and well-being of occupants;
• Describe the advantages, limitations, and applications of exterior fabric zip systems, venetian blinds, and rack arm systems; and
• Discuss how to integrate control systems into exterior shading devices to maximize solar control and the impact on occupant health and wellness.

As proven in many studies, natural light improves peoples’ mood, their general well-being, and perhaps most important to building and company owners, it increases productivity and reduces the number of sick days. This is significant, as energy consumption and rent/ownership in cost per square foot are significantly less than employee costs per square foot. Increasing productivity through effective daylighting can therefore have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.

The new course will focus on fabric zip systems, venetian blinds, and rack arm systems as highly effective strategies for optimizing daylighting, occupant comfort, and energy savings.

"Mitigating Glare and Solar Heat Gain with Exterior Shading Systems" is can be found in the October 2020 issue of Architectural Record and is also available to take online. Click here to learn more about this class and our other courses as well.

https://www.draperinc.com/aiacontinuinged/aiacontinuinged.aspx

Soon you will also be able to take a live version of the class, either in person or virtually. Click here to contact your Draper representative about scheduling a presentation.