Annexing green building rating points through multipurpose vertical light pipes

Abstract

Objective: To determine how many points can be annexed in a green building by a combination of the two processes and test the viability of combining daylight and rainwater harvesting in a pipe. Method/Analysis: An experiment was carried out using a 4m (width) x 6m(height) x 12m(depth) model at a scale of 1:25. Three light pipes of different transparency were used. The first pipe has a fully transparent surface, allowing most of the light to penetrate. The second pipe has a translucent surface. Light that penetrate through it would be partial, with the translucent surface acting like a layer of diffuser to diffuse the light. The third pipe is a combination of transparent and translucent surface. Water will act as the transporting medium for light and at the same time as a barrier for heat to enter. Although water does have certain amount of thermal mass, the heat stored in water can be minimized by circulating the water throughout the system. Findings: Up to 13 points could be earned in non-residential new construction (NRNC), while up to 15 points in Residential New Construction (RNC). Application/Improvement: The novelty of this study proposes the use of a tube for daylighting and rainwater harvesting simultaneously in a space through an experimental process at a small scale. This result could be further developed to an industrial scale for commercial purposes.