CONCLUSIONS
 The
Rotunda space with its oculus and perimeter windows at floor level will
produce an even distribution of daylight on overcast days. On sunny days,
there will be distribution problems due to the direct sun entering the
oculus. This will create visual glare conditions and uneven lighting levels.
The first part of this hypothesis turned out to be partially correct. The
distribution was even in a circumferential pattern but there was a gradient
of higher levels from the perimeter to the center. The second part of this
hypothesis was also partially correct. Although the direct sun never reached
the floor during the spring, its direct rays on the dome created an area
of higher illuminance values at the floor. The variance was significant
although not great enough to cause serious glare problems. It was also
ascertained that the daylighting environment at the present day Rotunda
performs well for the current multi-purpose activities despite the fact
that it was originally designed as a library
The Rotunda: South Window |
 The
daylighting distribution in an orthogonal centroidal space such as the
Caplin Pavilion is significantly irregular as compared to a circular centroidal
space under overcast sky conditions. However, since the overhead daylight
is admitted through vertical glazing, the distribution at floor level on
sunny days is not markedly different from overcast days and there is no
visual glare problem. The first hypothesis was refuted by this study. The
corner areas were not darker then the center in the main space as originally
surmised. The second hypothesis was correct. Distribution of light is more
uniform under cloudy sky conditions but the distribution under sunny sky
conditions is not significantly different. However, there are glare problems
at certain times when direct rays strike the floor.
The dynamics of daylighting are complex phenomena. Much more data would need to be gathered to refine an understanding of these hypotheses. However, this study has given the students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the interactive parameters which create daylighting in a vertical centroidal space. The preliminary conclusions are that the circular versus square geometry is not as important as the sectional proportions of the space and the horizontal (skylight) versus vertical (clerestory) glazing. The secondary spaces in each of these cases was different. In neither case did they seem to significantly influence the lighting in the main space. |
The dynamics of daylighting are complex phenomena. Much more data would need to be gathered to refine an understanding of these hypotheses. However, this study has given the students an opportunity to develop an understanding of the interactive parameters which create daylighting in a vertical centroidal space. The preliminary conclusions are that the circular versus square geometry is not as important as the sectional proportions of the space and the horizontal (skylight) versus vertical (clerestory) glazing. The secondary spaces in each of these cases was different. In neither case did they seem to significantly influence the lighting in the main space.
Designed in plan as a square with a very tall clerestory and lantern space, Caplin Pavilion is an interesting contrast to the most famous building of the University of Virginia, the Rotunda designed by Thomas Jefferson. While each of the structures enclose a large volume of space in only one room, the design of each is quite different as are the treatments of daylighting. The Rotunda, is circular in plan and covered by a large dome with a single large oculus at the top. Caplin Pavilion, with its square plan addresses daylighting with a traditional clerestory loft.
Perhaps it can be said that the orthogonal centroidal space of Caplin Pavilion is equally as successful as the circular centroidal space of the Rotunda. Both function better under cloudy overcast conditions than sunny conditions in terms of light distribution and rendering of the volume of space.