HOSPITAL LIGHTING


a


3.60 m


b


c


Clear glass façade


Single-bed inpatient room


27.00 m2


Shadow projection of the hospital bed 3.30 pm


Figure 3. Investigated single-bed inpatient room: a) Layout; b) Solar map18; c) Natural lighting path.


responsive function. The survey considered commercial and public building typologies; however, exhibition halls were excluded. Combining aesthetics with functionality, all of the aforementioned examples have the responsive function of promoting adequate sunlight control, thus contributing to the environmental comfort and energy efficiency of these buildings. Most of the buildings were constructed in the temperate climate region. Kinetic façades are the second layers of the façade. Some examples interact individually with environmental stimuli.


Computational model characterisation The space evaluated represents a single- bed inpatient room, within the parameters established by RDC 50,1 with a rectangular configuration (3.60 m x 7.20 m) measuring 27.00 m2


, a 3.60 m ceiling height, a white


interior, and a single natural light entry opening consisting of a full colourless glass façade with a surface area of 27.00 m2


(Fig 3a). The façade was


oriented west because it receives the greatest heat intensity, as represented by the Solar Chart taken from the SOL-AR program,18


where red indicates


temperatures above 25°C (Fig 3b). The preliminary analysis was performed between 1.00 pm and 6.00 pm, verifying the natural light path inside the room (Fig 3c).


Computer simulation SketchUp was used as the basic tool for this study for digital modelling. The simulations were performed with the facade facing west, at 3:30 pm on 21 December, with a completely clear sky, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, at 22º54’23” south latitude, 43º10’21” west longitude, and in Bioclimatic Zone 8 (ZB8). It is important to note that, for this ZB8, Brazilian Standard NBR 15220,19 which refers to the thermal performance of


IFHE DIGEST 2026 4


Al Bahar Towers


5


SDU Kolding Campus


6 Fosun Foundation Legend:


Fully enclosed elements on the façade


Partially enclosed elements on the façade


Shadow projection 3


Kiefer Technic Showroom


buildings, recommends the use of shading for façade openings. The protection typologies in Table 1


were modelled with approximate dimensions and simulated open and partially closed in the study object to verify natural light entry, user visibility to the outside of the building, and shading of the hospital bed. The simulation of shading on the bed aimed to understand whether kinetic elements are capable of controlling the entry of natural light into a specific location.


Results The results obtained through digital modelling are presented in Table 2. The blue signage corresponds to fully closed elements that make up the facade, the yellow sign corresponds to partially closed elements, and the red sign represents the shadow projection of these elements. The kinematics of the façades, with


different responsive typologies and the use of diverse materials, allowed for various scenarios for an outpatient ward, considering a tropical climate such as the


Table 2. Study of kinetic façades is an inpatient room. Fully open kinetic device Façade


Interior 1


Arab World Institute


2


Embassy of the Nordic Countries


Partially open kinetic device Façade


Interior


Clear glass façade


77


7.20 m


Source: Authors, 2025


Source: Authors, 2025


3.60 m


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