“At Wendel, we recognize that solar control is crucial to the successful daylighting of a space. For Lakeview Public School we sought to control glare and solar heat gain while still providing transparency and views. We were intrigued by the ClearShade glass unit’s ability to evenly diffuse light without glare while also creating dynamic views through its patterned inserts. Its ability to prevent glare allowed us to save cost by eliminating the need for shading devices where Panelite was used. After seeing the ClearShade installed, I was impressed by the quantity and soft diffuse quality of daylight penetrating through the space, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during the day.“
– Jon Leung, Wendel Architects
Wendel Architects designed the façade of Lakeview Public School in Cottonwood, MN with three clear objectives. ClearShade MET ALL THREE GOALS WITH ONE PRODUCT:
- 1. Solar heat and control
- 2. Ample diffuse daylight and glare control
- 3. Views and a sense of engagement through the façade
ACHIEVING DAYLIGHTING GOALS, SOLAR HEAT CONTROL AND VIEWS WITH ONE PRODUCT
The Wendel team reviewed several possible options and chose a white random-mix ClearShade honeycomb insert for its ability to provide evenly diffused daylight, glare and solar heat control as well as dynamic views. A low-e coating was specified to increase the IGU’s U-value and provide additional energy savings. Energy savings are achieved in two ways: through solar shading, which reduces the energy load of HVAC; and through optimized daylighting, which reduces the need for artificial lighting.
DAYLIGHTING
By specifying ClearShade IGU, which redirects and diffuses daylight rather than blocking it in order to control solar heat, Wendel was able to achieve high-quality, uniform daylighting in the school’s corridors and greatly reduce the need for artificial lighting. Not only does the school save energy, the abundance of natural daylight provides for a higher quality experience of the space. The importance of daylighting and views is well documented and is rewarded as a sustainability measure in LEED EQc8.1: Daylight and Views – Daylight.
“The use of naturally lighted spaces is a valuable strategy for achieving energy savings and earning U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED credits. Beyond energy savings, careful use of daylighting can contribute to occupant well-being and productivity. Consequently, architects and engineers are encouraged to improve their ability to apply daylighting strategies to building design solutions.” (From Consulting-Specifying Engineer magazine)
(1) Daylight is diffused and redirected (2) Solar heat is reflected, providing shade (3) Views are dynamic, depending on the viewer’s position
Viewed at close range, the white color and three diameters of the ClearShade honeycomb insert are visible.
From farther away, the detail of the ClearShade honeycomb insert fades and it becomes more transparent. The honeycomb diffuses and redirects visible light to provide ample natural daylight to the interior.
Analysis of daylighting levels conducted with Radiance, a software tool developed by Lawrence Berkeley Lab for building energy analysis. At top, glare and hotspots occur with a standard clear glass IGU. At bottom, the ClearShade IGU provides diffuse, ample daylight without glare or hotspots.
Read more about Lawrence Berkeley’s lab’s selection of ClearShade as a promising energy-saving technology and its integration into their suite of building performance analysis software here.
DIRECTIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND VIEWS
While the technical requirements were met, the dynamic views and the visual engagement between inside and outside activities was even more successful than anticipated. From outside, viewers perceive movement and changes in light within the building. From inside, viewers have a broad overview of the grounds and all the activity that occurs throughout the schoolday, from playground activity to impromptu soccer games. No other solar shading devices provide this level of solar heat control while allowing such natural, engaging views at the same time. The open cell design of the ClearShade honeycomb insert eliminates the need for tinted or darkened glass, or for visually obtrusive shades.
VIDEOS CLEARLY ILLUSTRATE THE DIRECTIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND VIEWS PROVIDED BY CLEARSHADE AS AN INTEGRATED SHADING DEVICE
PANELITE PRODUCT USED AT LAKEVIEW PUBLIC SCHOOL
ClearShade CS-U-TTWR3-1020-1000
Outboard Lite: ¼” clear tempered glass w/ low-e on surface 2
ClearShade insert: Random Mix (3 cell diameters), color: TrueWhite
Inboard Lite: ¼” clear tempered glass
Scope: 201 panels total, 39 unique layouts, 2165 sf
ClearShade IGU performance data including VLT, U-Value and SHGC . 7mm cell data approximates the random cell core used in this project. (Click to view larger.)
