Data and code for FormalizedLoD - Geometrical Levels of Detail for Indoor Daylight Simulation

This study proposes a new formalised framework for defining indoor Geometrical Levels of Detail (GLoDs) for daylight applications, based on solid angle descriptors. Unlike previous approaches that rely on object size or semantics, the proposed method prioritises the inclusion of non-permanent indoor objects based on their obstruction of window surfaces. This allows for a more relevant abstraction and classification of indoor geometry for daylight simulations. Two use case rooms with single- and multi-sided window configurations were analysed under different sky conditions using Climate-based Daylight Modelling (CBDM) and evaluated through Total Annual Illumination (TAI) on sensor grids placed on a horizontal working plane and at vertical head positions. Results show that annual illumination was over-predicted when using the simplest GLoD level (GLoD0), compared to the most complete geometrical (GLoD3), up to 41% at the working plane and up to 88% at head positions. Additionally, across overcast, intermediate, and clear subsets, sky cover scaled absolute TAI values but did not markedly change the relative influence of GLoD on either directional (cubic) or non-directional (work-plane) evaluations.