Time-lapse photography and image recognition to monitor occupant-controlled shade patterns: analysis and results

This paper presents a high-level overview of a methodology for analysing window shade use in existing buildings. Time-lapse photography is paired with a robust image recognition algorithm to facilitate assessment of shade use and identify any possible trends. The methodology applied on a high-rise building consisting of multiple open plan offices. The analysis showed that the mean shade occlusion and the shade movement rate depend on façade orientation, with the near-south façade having the highest values and the near-north façade having the lowest ones. An average shade use rate of 0.5/day was observed, with the 72% of the shades never adjusted, throughout the period of observation.