sunlight, daylight and shadow assesment report

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SUNLIGHT, DAYLIGHT AND SHADOW ASSESMENT REPORT

FOR

ROYAL CANAL PARK PHASE IV

THE FORMER ORMOND PRINTWORKS,

RATOATH RD.,

DUBLIN 11, D11 HY83

FOR

BALLYMORE RCP DEVELOPMENT SERVICES LIMITED

Project Reference: J522

Revision Ref: E

Date Prepared: 3rd April 2019

Date Issued: 28th November 2019

Prepared By: Jonathan Kirwan & Martin Obst

SUNLIGHT, DAYLIGHT & SHADOW ASSESMENT REPORT

ROYAL CANAL PHASE IV DEVELOPMENT

28th November 2019 Rev: E

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 3

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................. 4

3. DAYLIGHTING ANALISYS ............................................................................................... 5

4. SHADOW ANALISYS & SUNLIGHT TO COURTYARD AND PUBLIC SPACES ....................... 10

5. SHADOW DIAGRAMS .................................................................................................. 13

6. SUNLIGHT & SKYLIGHT ACCESS ASSESMENT ON EXISTING DWELLINGS ......................... 19

7. NOTES ON THE USE OF IS EN 17037 (2018), BS 8026-2 2008 AND BRE BR209 (2011) ..... 21




1. INTRODUCTION

The Royal Canal Park Phase IV mixed use development will consist of residential use and

employment uses all located on a 1.88-hectare island site running from the junction of Ratoath

Road and Ballyboggan Road to the 8th lock on the Royal Canal.

The proposed development consists of 5no. blocks ranging in height from 4 - 13 storeys and

incorporating an under croft level. The resident’s communal courtyard connects all residential

blocks at first floor level. Roof terraces are also provided to the apartment blocks as a

residential amenity.

At ground floor level and to the streetscape are active employment uses which have been

arranged around 3 new public open spaces which are provided to the north, south and

western sides of the development. These spaces actively engage with the streetscape ensuring

interaction with the existing surrounding neighbourhood.

Employment uses (c.4,162 sq m) include a primary healthcare centre, a pharmacy, own door

offices, and a juice bar/fitness centre.

All residential and mixed-use car parking is accommodated at ground floor below the

residential courtyards. The car parking totals 242 undercroft spaces, and 942 bicycle parking

spaces are provided. Access to the car parking is via Hamilton View Road. There are also on-

street car parking facilities along Hamilton view comprising car club, electric cars and set

down.

The Royal Canal Park Phase IV is a landmark development of high-quality architectural design

which enhances the existing characteristics of this unique site whilst creating a new

destination place along the banks of the Royal Canal.




2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

JAK have been retained by the Applicant, Ballymore RCP Development Services Ltd. to carry

out a sunlight, daylight and shadow assessment for the proposed Royal Canal Park – Phase 4

development in Ratoath Road, Dublin 11.

The calculations were carried out using the ‘IES Virtual Environment’ software and based on

the layout drawings prepared by Reddy Architecture & Urbanism.

The proposed architectural plans, elevations and sections were analysed relative to the

documents BRE guide 'Site Layout Planning for Daylight and Sunlight; A Guide to Good

Practice' BR209 (2011), IS EN 17037 (2018): Daylight in buildings and and BS8208 Part 2:2008

Lighting for Buildings, Code of Practice for Daylighting. These documents include best practice

guidelines for the provision of high quality living spaces with all subsequent results greatly

exceeding the minimum requirements.

The results of this study satisfy all the recommended values and the living spaces and outdoor

spaces will provide pleasant sunlit experience. An analysis was also performed on the impact

to surrounding developments by the proposed scheme with the overall impact categorised as

acceptable.

The methods and standards used to carry out the analysis of the entire proposed scheme are

examined in detail in this report and summarised in the table below.

Element Recommended(%) Achieved (%) Comment

Apartments

Average daylight

Factor (ADF)

BS8208:

1.5% Living room

1% Bedroom

IS EN 17037:

1.6% Habitable room

1.7 - 3 The recommended values are

surpassed considering the large

balconies

Courtyard sunlight

on 21st March

50% 52.5 - 100 Courtyard surpasses the sunlight

recommendation with all areas

average at 83%

Impact on existing

dwellings

Max 20% VSC

reduction

14.1 – 23.6 Average VSC reduction is 18.4%

VSC for existing

Dwellings

15% - 27% 34.4 – 26.8 All assessed dwelling exceeds

recommended value and receive

good amount of daylight




3. DAYLIGHTING ANALISYS

For the purpose of demonstrating clear analysis we have reviewed in detail 13 no. apartments

on different floors facing N & NE & E which are identified in Figure 2. The selected apartments

are the ones deemed to potentially have the poorest daylight due to development layout,

orientation and obstructions externally to the apartment. Daylighting calculations were

calculated using ‘IES Virtual Environment’ software.

The BRE guidelines recommend Daylight provision to new rooms which was checked using the

Average Daylight Factor (ADF). Based on IS EN 17037 a space is considered to have adequate

daylight if target illuminance (minimum daylight factor (D)) is achieved across a fraction of the

reference plane within a space for at least half of the daylight hours.

In order to assess the quality of daylight enjoyed within the proposed development an Average

Daylight Factor (ADF) calculation was used. The Average Daylight Factor is a ratio between

indoor illuminance and outdoor illuminance expressed as a percentage and provides a

measure of the overall amount of daylight in a space taken from the work plane level.

Additional guidance also taken into consideration in our analysis in conjunction with the

interior daylighting recommendations in CIBSE publication Lighting guide: daylighting and

window design.

BS 8206-2 Code of practice for daylighting gives minimum values of ADF for residential units:

• ADF=1.5% for living rooms

• ADF=1% for bedrooms.

The kitchens in the apartments are generally at the rear of the space from the window wall. To

provide a layout of multiple one- & two-bedroom apartments means that a small internal

galley-type kitchen is inevitable. We have followed the guidelines for this instance and the

analysis clearly demonstrates that all kitchens are directly linked to a well daylit living room.

Methodology

Sky Conditions

The sky conditions used in this simulation study was an unobstructed CIE standard overcast

sky. The CIE Overcast Sky is used to give the worst-case scenario (in design terms) for

illuminance and therefore is the most suitable design sky for Daylight Factor simulations.

Light from the sky

For new rooms the BRE guidelines recommend Daylight provision to new rooms may be

checked using the Average Daylight Factor (ADF). “The ADF is a measure of the overall amount

of daylight in a space. BS 8206-2 Code of practice for daylighting, recommends an ADF of 5%

for a well daylit space and 2% for partly daylit space. Below 2% the room will look dull and

electric lighting is likely to be turned on. In housing BS 8206-2 gives minimum values of ADF of

2% for kitchens, 1.5% for living rooms and 1% for bedrooms.”




Table2. Keyplan & list of the apartments assessed for ADF

Selected Apartment Orientation Overshading

A.01 to A.04 E High

A.05 NE High

C.01 to C.04 N High

E.01 to E.04 NE High

Analysis results

The results below reflect the site conditions as per the IES model and satisfy BS 8206-2 and the

BRE guidelines.

Table 3. Results summary per room

Room Calculated Average

Daylight Factor (ADF)

Minimum ADF

As per BS 8206-2

Apartment A.01 Living Room 2 % 1.5 %

Apartment A.01 Bedroom 2.2 % 1 %











Apartment A.05 Bedroom 3 % 1 %

Apartment C.01 Living Room 3 % 1.5 %

Apartment C.01 Bedroom 1.6 % 1 %







Apartment D.01 Living Room 3.9 % 1.5 %

Apartment D.01 Bedroom 1.5 % 1 %

Apartment E.01 Living Room 1.8 % 1.5 %

Apartment E.01 Bedroom 2.3 % 1 %







Fig 2. IES Model view – Apartment C.01 plan indicating daylighting percentage on working plane

level.




Fig 2a. IES Model view – Apartment C.01 axonometric view indicating daylighting percentage on

working plane level.

Detailed Results Output from EIS VE (FlucsDL Module) for selected apartments

ROOM PT000018 (APT A.01 BEDROOM) Surface Quantity

Values Uniformity (Min./Ave.)

Diversity (Min./Max.) Min. Ave. Max.

Working plane 1 Reflectance=0% Transmittance=100% Grid size=0.50 m Area=6.849m² Margin=0.50 m

Daylight factor 0.2 % 2.2 % 13.0 % 0.11 0.02

Daylight illuminance 29.57 lux 262.88 lux 1585.62 lux 0.11 0.02

Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

ROOM PT000019 (APT A.01 LIVING ROM)

Surface Quantity Values Uniformity

(Min./Ave.) Diversity (Min./Max.) Min. Ave. Max.


Daylight factor 0.1 % 2.0 % 10.3 % 0.07 0.01


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

ROOM PT00000E (APT D.01 LIVING) Surface Quantity




Daylight factor 0.2 % 3.9 % 23.6 % 0.05 0.01


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00




ROOM PT00000F (APT D.01 BED)




Daylight factor 0.1 % 1.5 % 12.7 % 0.07 0.01


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

ROOM PT000028 (APT E.02 LIVING ROOM) Surface Quantity




Daylight factor 0.2 % 2.3 % 11.3 % 0.09 0.02


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

ROOM PT000029 (APT E.02 BEDROOM)




Daylight factor 0.3 % 1.9 % 9.4 % 0.15 0.03


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

ROOM PT00002B (APT E.01 LIVING ROOM)




Daylight factor 0.2 % 2.3 % 10.7 % 0.09 0.02


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

ROOM PT00002C (APT E.01 BEDROOM)




Daylight factor 0.2 % 1.8 % 9.4 % 0.14 0.03


Sky view 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00




4. SHADOW ANALISYS & SUNLIGHT TO COURTYARD AND PUBLIC SPACES

While providing good levels of daylight and sunlight in living spaces is important, it is also

essential to apply the same mentality to outside spaces and amenity areas. An adequately lit

open space creates a rich ambience that any occupant would find appealing. The basis of this

calculation is to asses if 50% of the public areas will achieve more than two hours worth of

sunlight during the spring equinox (21st March).

The design approach of breaking down the massing and using orientation of the site allows

sunlight and daylight to access the public spaces throughout the course of a day and

throughout different times of the year.

The predicted sunlight to the public spaces within the proposed development has been

assessed based on BRE guidelines to verify that the amenity for residents will fall within

acceptable parameters. It is demonstrated below that the proposed amenity space, can be

described as being adequately sunlit throughout the year. The BRE guidelines recommend that

front gardens need not be assessed for sunlight. The communal spaces between the

apartment blocks are assessed & keyplan below highlights in red the public areas assessed for

sunlight hours.




Fig.3 Courtyard and Plaza which are included in the analysis.

Sunlight hours modelling

Using the IES VE software model in the Suncast module an accurate shadow casting analysis

was produced. This program replicates the azimuth and altitude of the sun for any specified

time and date of the year, orientation, site latitude and site longitude at site location.

Fig.4 Sunlight hours contour map for the Public Plazas and Courtyards

Fig.4a Sunlight hours contour map for the Courtyard south

Figure 4 & 4a above illustrates the results of the modelling. The coloured squares indicate

areas which receive more than 2 hours of sunlight and the white represent the areas below

the 2 hour requirement.




The courtyard was split into 3 areas as indicated in the keyplan to ensure all spaces satisfy the

BRE requirement. 53% of the southern courtyard space (figure 4a) receives 2 or more hours of

sunlight on the 21st March. The public plaza west has and ideal south-west orientation and

100% of this space receives 2 or more hours of sunlight. Average value of all the assessed

spaces is 83% which greatly exceeds the recommendations of the BRE guidelines and should

be pleasant spaces.

Table 4. Results summary for public & residents spaces

Public Space Area that receives 2 or more

hours of sunlight on the 21st

March

Minimum BRE

requirement

Public Plaza West 100 % 50 %

Courtyard North 91 % 50 %

Courtyard Central 100 % 50 %

Courtyard South 52.5 % 50 %

Public Plaza North 76 % 50 %

Public Plaza South 100% 50 %

Plaza East 58% 50 %

The assessment shows that the courtyards in the proposed development meets the

recommendations of the BRE and can be described as being adequately sunlit throughout the

year.




5. SHADOW DIAGRAMS The BRE guidelines recommend using the 21st March for plotting shadow diagrams. Pages

overleaf contain the shadow diagram based on the sun position at the given date & time. In

addition Shadow diagrams for summer & autumn are included to illustrate the impact on the

surrounding environment throughout the year.

Fig 5. Shadows cast on the public spaces on the 21st of March at 9:00




Fig 7a. Shadows cast on the public spaces on the 21st of March at 18:00

Fig 8. Shadows cast on the public spaces on the 21st of June at 09:00





Fig 12. Shadows cast on the public spaces on the 21st of September at 09:00




6. SUNLIGHT & SKYLIGHT ACCESS ASSESMENT ON EXISTING DWELLINGS

This study has quantified the impact on skylight and sunlight at a number of points related to

residential premises around the development which would be affected by the proposed

development. The assessment methodology used for the surrounding houses is called the

“Vertical Sky Component (VSC)”. This is the ratio of the direct sky illuminance falling on the

vertical wall at a reference point (usually the centre of the window), to the simultaneous

horizontal illuminance under an unobstructed sky.

The standard CIE (Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage –International Commission on

Illumination) overcast sky is used. The CIE Overcast sky is intended for two purposes; to be a

universal basis for the classification of measured sky luminance distributions and to give a

method for calculating sky luminance in daylighting design procedures.

Methodology

If the VSC with the new development in place, is less than 0.8 times its former value, i.e. a

reduction greater than 20%, occupants of the existing building will notice a reduction in the

amount of skylight

Selected points around the proposed development are chosen for the analysis of the impact

on skylight and sunlight, representing windows facing the proposed development which could

experience the greatest impact on the reduction of skylight and sunlight levels.

Fig. 15 Dwellings

Sunlight & Skylight Access Modelling for existing dwellings

Using the IES VE software we have analyzed the amount of relevant Vertical Sky Component

for each of the selected dwellings for existing and proposed scenario. This was carried out at

the height of 1.6m above floor which represent the centre of the window. In the case of the

apartments ground, first and second floor units were analysed.

3 Hamilton view

2 Hamilton view

17 Hamilton Walk

Beacon Apartments 1 to 6

Campbell Garage House




Fig. 16 Dwellings along Hamilton view & Apartments in the background which were analysed

Results

Table 5. Results summary for the existing dwellings

House Name Proposed Existing

Vertical Sky

Component

Vertical Sky

Component

Recommended

VSC for large

window

VSC

Reduction

BRE

recommended

max VSC

reduction

17 Hamilton walk 32.89% 39.05% 15%-27% 15.77% 20%

2 Hamilton view 29.44% 38.02% 15%-27% 22.57% 20%

3 Hamilton view 29.59% 36.91% 15%-27% 19.83% 20%

Campbell Garage House 26.80% 35.08% 15%-27% 23.60% 20%

Beacon Apartment 1 31.81% 39.75 % 15%-27% 19.97% 20 %

Beacon Apartment 2 33.59 % 39.88 % 15%-27% 15.77% 20 %





The analysis indicates that 2 number of the dwellings assessed will experience slight loss of

available sunlight as per BRE recommendations of the Vertical Sky Component (VSC) criteria.

Average reduction of VSC for the assessed dwellings is 18.4%. We would note that all assessed

dwellings would have good access to daylight and worst case scenario where VSC is 26.8% in

the case of house 4 Hamilton view still provides good access to daylight. Section 6 on the end

of this document should be considered when reading the results.

In addition to VSC assessment we have carried out daylight analysis for 2 Hamilton View and

Campbell Garage House. The resulting ADF values of 3.4% for Campbell Garage House and 3%

for 2 Hamilton View are well over the minimum requirements of BS 8026-2 as described in

section 3. The proposed development impacts only on the easterly façade. There will be no

impact on the other windows of these houses.

Watermark & Waterline buildings (Royal Canal Park Phase 3 – Blocks C&D) are under

construction on the adjoining site. To demonstrate the effect of the proposed development we

have carried ADF calculation for ground floor apartments facing the proposed development.

Resulting ADF indicate that the apartments living room will be well daylit space.




Table 6. ADF Results summary for adjoining dwellings

Room Calculated Average

Daylight Factor (ADF)

Minimum ADF

As per BS 8206-2

2 Hamilton view 3 1.5 %

Campbell Garage House 3.4 1.5 %

Waterline Apartment Living Room 5.5 % 1.5 %

Waterline Apartment Bedroom 2.4 % 1 %

Watermark Apartment Living Room 7.1 % 1.5 %

Watermark Apartment Bedroom 2 % 1 %

The overall development proposals are designed to enhance the public realm by creating a

greater sense of space and the Plaza has been designed as connection to the existing

development. Massing of the proposed buildings was adjusted in accordance with the BRE

guidelines and to minimize reduction of the sunlight for the existing dwellings.

7. NOTES ON THE USE OF IS EN 17037 (2018), BS 8026-2 2008 AND BRE BR209 (2011)

The standard ‘IS EN 17037 (2018): Daylight in buildings’ gives information on how to use

daylighting to provide lighting within interiors. It defines metrics used for the evaluation of

daylighting conditions and gives principles of calculation and verification. These principles

allow users to deal with the issue of variability of daylight over the course of a day and year.

Neither the IS EN, BS nor the BRE Guide set out rigid standards or limits. The values provided in

these documents are recommended values. The BRE Guide is preceded by the following very

clear warning as to how the design advice contained therein should be used:

“The advice given here is not mandatory and the guide should not be seen as an instrument of

planning policy; its aims is to help rather than constrain the designer. Although it gives

numerical guidelines, these should be interpreted flexibly since natural lighting is only one of

many factors in site layout design.”

That the recommendations of the Standards and BRE Guide are not suitable for rigid

application to all developments in all contexts is of particular importance in the context of

national and local policies for the consolidation and densification of urban areas. Given that

the British Standard and the BRE Guide were drafted in the UK in the context of UK strategic

planning policy, recommendations or advices provided in either document that have the

potential to conflict with Irish statutory planning policy have been disregarded for the

purposes of this analysis.

sunlight, daylight and shadow assesment report

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