The D&V analysis method: A method for the analysis of daylight access and view quality

A window is important for daylight access as well as for the outside view it provides. In this paper the D&V (Daylight and View) analysis method is described, which is used to assess objectively both the daylight and view quality of windows. The basis of the method is a 180 degrees equidistant projection of the windows and view through the windows. After the projection is made, the access of daylight can be measured and visualized. Existing daylight and sunpath diagrams are converted to new diagrams which are used as overlay on the projection. Furthermore, a method is developed for the assessment of view quality. A view quality score is calculated by answering a series of questions. The applicability of the method was tested by comparing the view quality scores of 23 pictures to view quality ratings of participants in a questionnaire study. Overall the results show a similar rank order from high to low view quality. With the new projection method the daylight access and view quality of different window configurations can be studied simultaneously. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.