Undulated Shading - Optical Benefits of Undulated Glass Facade Geometries

The research is structured around complex optical effects of undulated glass and coatings that exhibit high reflectivity, especially at higher incidence angles. This optical behavior allows great directional and intensity variation even with minimal curvatures. This is especially visible in undulated glass facades, where the ratio of reflection and transmission changes dramatically with every change of viewing angle, producing dynamic effects. Furthermore, caustic and dispersion light effects may additionally enrich the visual architectural language. However, high-frequency and high-amplitude curvatures also create optical distortion and lens effects, thus producing undesirable glare and potential overheating. Therefore, these undulated glass geometries require special consideration and analyses during the design phase to maximize their optical benefits and reduce unwanted side-effects.

The research explores self-shading potential and optical benefits of undulated glass geometries through modulating surface curvature. Sinusoidal functions are used to define coherent procedural glass surface curvature with variable amplitude values. Due to the high directional sensitivity, virtual prototyping of undulated geometries was performed with a high temporal and spatial resolution and assuming the most common vertical setting.

Optical benefits are presented through g-value and daylighting metrics for a set of undulated glass facade states, varying curvature amplitude, and directionality. The results indicate moderate self-shading potential and daylighting benefit of undulated glass facades. The research findings aimed to provide a valuable resource for articulating design and performance aspects of undulated glass facades, potentially reducing the need for additional shading and daylight-redirect elements.