Daylighting systems for the tropics example of laser cut panels (Austrália) and plexiglas daylight (Germany)

In recent years several daylighting systems were developed. Due to a generally felt lack of daylight because of climatic conditions the development was mainly concentrated in Central Europe, Japan, the United States and Australia.

In tropical countries daylighting wasn’t considered a mayor topic until recently. But the globalisation of economies stirred up the interest of increasing productivity by improving the comfort factors of office spaces and schools. Due to recent surveys proving the importance of daylighting, new solutions are principally welcomed by architects, engineers and clients in the tropics and subtropics.

Two similar systems, laser cut panels developed by the Daylighting Research Group at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, and Plexiglas Daylight developed by Röhm/Germany were used in simulations with radiance. The parameters were defined by the daylight offer in Rio de Janeiro. To check possible applications different combinations of glazing and apertures were simulated, always focusing on the particular tropical sky conditions. 

This paper will discuss possible ways of application and its limits.