Multi-Disciplinary Analysis of Light Shelves Application within a Student Dormitory Refurbishment

The achievement of sustainable cities and communities is closely linked to an accurate design the buildings. In this context, transparent elements building envelope have a crucial role since, on one hand, they are bottleneck in regards heat mass transfers sound propagation, while, other must allow daylight penetration. Thus, responsible for occupants’ thermal visual comfort their health. Considering passive solutions windows, light shelves can improve natural penetration, reducing lights’ electricity demand controlling windows’ related aspects. scientific literature characterized by several studies that analyze topic, which, however, focus only field sometimes energy saving lights. Moreover, often refer fixed sky type simulations. aim present study application with multi-disciplinary approach, means dynamic simulations, EnergyPlus engine, whole year. A new methodological approach presented order investigate technology under different fields interest: daylight, lighting energy, cooling heating needs, thermo-hygrometric comfort. case chosen existing building, student dormitory belonging University Athens. It subject deep renovation conform “nearly Zero Energy Building” target, frame European research project called Pro-GET-onE (G.A No. 723747). By calibrated numerical model HVAC–building system, ten configurations been investigated. best solution given internal horizontal shelf placed at 50 cm from top window depth 90 or 60 cm. has found despite reduction lighting, variation needs does not always lead benefit.