Light design in historical buildings: Parameters and prototypes. Comparison of façade behavior: Metal meshes vs. high-tenacity polymer composite meshes

The quality of living spaces has long been a key issue in design focused on user needs. To correctly define the environmental quality of indoor spaces, many aspects must be considered, which necessarily involves transverse knowledge. An important role in the quality of spaces is the correct use of natural light to ensure good lighting and user comfort. This is even truer within historical buildings where the final function or use has changed over the centuries. At the same time, simulation tools have recently become very important, along with new measurement models based on open-source protocols. The experimental method proposed is applied to initial analysis for the design of a high-performance shell that can optimize façade behavior in relation to solar radiation, considering aesthetic aspects as well. The research aims to show how historical buildings could benefit from the versatile nature of high-technological devices that can answer both the functional and aesthetic needs of ancient structures. The goal is to obtain the best indoor conditions in terms of visual comfort. The results confirm the need to consciously use modern technological tools to support design. The design of healthy, safe, comfortable environments can and must make use of the most innovative architectural support tools, but it still requires the awareness and ability of the designer to achieve efficient solutions.