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This research focuses on daylight assessment in office buildings with different atrium types, proportions and roof aperture designs. The goal is to assess and optimize atrium type and proportions to improve energy efficiency of atrium buildings. This paper investigates daylight metrics in central, attached and semi-enclosed atrium types with different proportions and roof aperture designs, such as monitor and horizontal skylight. Daylight performance is measured based on the proportions of an atrium that are defined by Well Index (WI), used to characterize atria. Climate-Based Daylight Modeling (CBDM) is applied as the assessment strategy with U.S Climate Zone 3 as the climatic setting. Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Annual Solar Exposure (ASE) are adopted as the dynamic daylight metrics to compare the results. This study also validates DIVA for Rhino as the simulation tool by comparing daylight results of the computer simulation with the same scale-model. This research applies both scale-model and computer simulation methods to assess daylight and energy performance in atrium buildings based on Well Index. This paper then employs DIVA simulation tool to assess daylight performance based on the Well Index. The results demonstrate that Well Index is a reliable indicator to characterize atrium proportion and confirm that Well Index works with (CBDM). Having assessed the impact of design parameters, such as climate, building thickness, material reflectance, material transmittance, furniture and monitor roof glazing height, the study potentially provides architects with an atrium design database for U.S. Climate Zone 3. This database compares daylight metrics for Well Index of 0.5, 1 and 2 in central, attached and semi-enclosed atrium types using different roof aperture designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the main characteristics of the atrium and their influence on the daylight conditions in the adjoining space and on the atrium floor. The shape of the atrium and its orientation to the sun, the transmittance of the roof, the reflectivities of the atrium surfaces and the glazed areas are important parameters in the daylighting design of atrium buildings. Several atrium cases, characterized by a different Well Index, are analysed and a simplified methodology used, to predict daylight factor on the atrium floor and in the adjacent rooms, developed through computer simulation using Radiance as a tool. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

It is often complex and difficult to predict the daylighting of an atrium building. The atrium is usually expected not only to be an attractively daylit space in its own right, but also to deliver light to adjoining spaces. Most of the light reaching these spaces will have been reflected within the atrium. This paper outlines current guidance on daylighting design for atria and reviews published techniques to calculate daylight within them, including a methodology to predict daylight factors within atria and the surrounding spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a wind tunnel study which investigated the airflow through courtyard and atrium building models located within an urban setting and exposed to an urban atmospheric boundary layer. Courtyard and atrium roof ventilation models and strategies; Ratio of sheltered to isolated average flow for the courtyard and atrium models; Conclusion.