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Unit of study_

DESC9169: Daylight in Buildings

2025 unit information

Daylight can be used in buildings to reduce the energy spent on electric lighting and create aesthetically appealing interiors. Design decisions that affect the success of daylighting in a building span every phase of the design process, from site selection to the application of interior finishes. This unit discusses the role of daylight in indoor illuminated environments. Calculations to predict the quantity and distribution of daylight in spaces and predict the effects of shading devices are covered. Students learn about the local and global variables that influence daylight availability, recognize the challenges and opportunities with daylight in interior spaces, and the appropriate use of daylighting technologies. Modelling tools (Radiance based) will be used in order to assess the efficacy of selected daylight strategies.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Architectural and Design Science
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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DESC9106
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. use and understand the terminology associated with daylighting
  • LO2. identify the determinant of daylight availability in buildings
  • LO3. calculate daylight metrics
  • LO4. design structures to manipulate daylight in buildings
  • LO5. critically evaluate daylight strategies through the use of specialist software
  • LO6. share knowledge with colleagues and effectively collaborate in achieving common goals
  • LO7. critically and synthetically analyse the issues, and efficaciously communicate technical information in written, oral and visual form.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2021
Block mode Remote
Semester 2 2022
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2022
Block mode Remote
Semester 2 2023
Block mode Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.