Towards the factory of the future: A new concept based on optimized daylighting for comfort and energy saving

A multidisciplinary concept for a factory of the future is presented, based on the integration of different needs: logistics of internal spaces (interaction between directional and production areas, modularity of spaces to allow future expansions/contractions), use of a prefabricated steel structure, environmental quality for occupants and energy sustainability. Great importance was attributed to daylighting and view out to enhance the comfort and reduce the energy use. A toplighting system was developed: this relies on a variable transparency roof with alveolar polycarbonate panels with five different light transmission properties. A luminous atrium was positioned at the core of the factory. The roof panels, the building layout and the daylighting analyses were optimized through a reiteration process carried out with a purpose-tool in Grasshopper. DIVA-for-Rhino and Daysim were used to calculate the daylight factor DF and climate based daylight metrics in building spaces, as well as the corresponding energy demand for lighting ED
l
. Results of the optimized solution were: DF
m
=4.75%; sDA
300/50%
=100%; UDI
100–3000
>80%; ED
l
=8.1 kWh/m
²
yr for an illuminance E=300 lx (16.3 kWh/m
²
yr for E= 500 lx).