Mahindra-TERI Centre of Excellence (CoE), a joint research initiative of Mahindra Lifespaces and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), released a technical report, guidebook and online toolkit (sky type finder) defining sky luminance across various sky conditions in landlocked cities. This study will help architects, designers and other stakeholders in identifying the measured sky conditions on any day and time of the year, an imperative study by modern architecture.
A Sky Scanner and Solar Monitoring Unit was set up at the MTCoE lab, Gurugram to collect the luminance distribution data since 2020. This is the only instrument currently installed in India for collating sky conditions data. The report, guidebook, and toolkit were launched at an event held in New Delhi in the presence of eminent dignitaries from the Government and industry.
Daylighting plays an important role in modern architecture in aiding visual comfort and energy efficiency evaluation. This requires an accurate estimation of the amount of daylight for any point within the indoor space.
The Mahindra-TERI CoE identified the need for such data and initiated sky modeling research that best represents the luminance distribution as per the CIE standard (International Standards of sky Illumination). The data will be utilised for daylight assessment, energy savings, and visual comfort assessment, and will also be crucial for increasing the accuracy of daylighting software which will in turn help architects and designers in selecting glass types and determining the ideal window-wall ratio.
Furthermore, an MoU was also signed between The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Saint Gobain Research India (SGR India), expanding the sky modelling research as part of MTCoE by installing another sky scanner in Chennai, India to record the south coastal data. This will be the first installation in southern India and the second in the country.
Jitesh Donga, Chief of Design, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. highlighted in his opening remark that, “Design interventions can be used to increase the efficiency and thermal performance of green buildings. If these design decisions are driven by extensive data, we can customise and optimise the outcomes of integrating these elements into buildings. The data collected from the Sky Scanner can be used by designers and developers everywhere, and accelerate their journey towards efficient, green buildings.”
The Mahindra-TERI CoE leverages state-of-the-art research techniques, tools, and performance measurement solutions to boost the development of green buildings in India. The joint research initiative is working towards developing open-source and science-based solutions for India’s real estate sector.
