21. June (Summer Solstice) sunpath 21.

December (Winter Solstice)

and shadow study sunpath and shadow study

Environmental Performance Analysis - Gimli Lake House

15. February, 2010
Joel Letkemann

This analysis is prepared for a house project in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada, just north of Winni-
peg. This area has a varied climate, warm in the summer - reaching above 30 degrees celcius,
while the winters are frigid, with temperatures below -40 at the extreme. This building will
function as a vacation home, mostly in the summer, though occasionally during the winter.
Therefore, one interest is the control of solar energy in the house, to maintain natural light, but
to limit temperature gains during summer, while heating during the winter is also a concern.

This project is only in the conceptual stage, and therefore, it behoves the designer to investi-
gate the environmental performance of the design, even at this early stage.
Sunlighting Analysis - Space 1
for daytime occupation

Analysis Grid
%
Daylight Analysis 47.2+
D a y lig ht F a c to r
43.2
Value R ange: 7.2 - 47.2 %
© E COT E CT v5
39.2

35.2

31.2

27.2

23.2

19.2

15.2

11.2

7.2

Radiance Render

%
Daylight Analysis 47.2+
D a y lig ht F a c to r
43.2
Value R ange: 7.2 - 47.2 %
© E COT E CT v5
39.2

35.2

31.2

27.2

23.2

19.2

15.2

11.2

7.2
Sunlighting Analysis - Space 2
for daytime occupation

Analysis Grid
%
Daylight Analysis 87.2+
D a y lig ht F a c to r
79.2
Value R ange: 7.2 - 87.2 %
© E COT E CT v5
71.2

63.2

55.2

47.2

Radiance Render
39.2

31.2

23.2

15.2

7.2

%
Daylight Analysis 87.2+
D a y lig ht F a c to r
79.2
Value R ange: 7.2 - 87.2 %
© E COT E CT v5
71.2

63.2

55.2

47.2

39.2

31.2

23.2

15.2

7.2
Sunlighting Analysis - Space 3
for morning, evening and night
occupation

%
Daylight Analysis 60.0+
D a y lig ht F a c to r
54.0
Value R ange: 0.0 - 60.0 %
© E COT E CT v5
48.0

42.0

36.0

30.0

24.0

18.0

12.0

6.0

0.0

%
Daylight Analysis 60.0+
D a y lig ht F a c to r
54.0
Value R ange: 0.0 - 60.0 %
© E COT E CT v5
48.0

42.0

36.0

30.0

24.0

18.0

12.0

6.0

0.0
As the house is primarily a summer resi- grasshopper definition, and rhino screenshot
dence, the amount of sunlight radiation
reaching Space 2 is worrysome, as it would
unduly warm the space. This grasshopper
definition provides a series of louvers at pre-
cisely the angle of incedence to the highest
sun of the summer solstice, thereby blocking
the sun energy from reaching the interior on
the hottest day. The number of and distance
between louvers can be manipulated, while
still retaining the proper shading. This is ap-
plied to the primary south-facing facade.
Radiance renders of the louvers in
action on 21. June and on 21. De-
cember. The sun is almost entirely
blocked during the warmest day,
while a great deal of sun penetrates
during the winter, thereby provid-
ing passive solar gains to warm the
house.

21. June

21. December
 Additional shading proposed on east window, for summer shading.
This shade had little effect on incoming solar radiation.

Shading on floor, without, and with both east and south solar shade.
Thermal Performance All Thermal Zones are set to heating only (passive
ventilation is assumed during the summer). As it is
a residence, thermal control is required 24 hours a
day, for 4 or 5 people, who are relatively sedentary.

Simplified Thermal Model

Passive losses and gains, before and after
Material Assignation.

1. Exterior walls changed to timber studs

with 150 mm fiberglass insulation

2. Roof changed to timber joists with

300 mm fiberglass insulation

3. Basement floor changed to

suspended timber with carpet