Artificial Sky

As simulator maker, we can say the artificial sky, among the others devices, is the ideal instrument for every lighting designer and lighting engineer. Infact to predict daylight penetration inside building, a scaled model under an artificial sky is the only reliable prediction method in the case of unusual situations, complex geometries or heavily obstructed windows (for more information see the introductory text of Lok Shun Apple Chan, professor at City University of Hong Kong).

The articial sky is not limited by the weather conditions of the real sky and is able to reproduce standard or statistical skies.

We can design and build different kind of artificial sky, from the simpliest to the most expansive:

mirror box
reflecting dome
virtual dome with a single-patch
virtual dome with a sixth of the vault
complete dome

Mirror box artificial sky scheme

The mirror box artificial skies are normally rectangular or octagonal and are able to reproduce quite well the standard overcast sky conditions with the CIE luminance distribution (also known like Moon and Spencer). They are very cheap and can be placed nearly in every laboratory.

We are currently working on two models: one portable to make presentation at client office and another flexible to allow the use of the sky with every kind of scaled model.

Please feel free to ask more information with our form.

Reflecting dome sky simulator scheme

The reflecting dome sky simulator can be made with a reflective opaque dome surface or a translucent one. The lighting system inside or outside the dome can be designed to be able to reproduce sky distributions different from the standard overcast sky, but it remains quite limited compared to the virtual dome simulators. The reflecting dome skies are very fast and simple to use.

We can make a simulator with the calibrating systems integrated to speed up the setup time.

Please feel free to ask more information with our form.

Virtual dome type artificial sky scheme

The virtual dome type artificial skies are scanning simulators where the sky patch or the scaled model is moved (by a robot) to reproduce the entire vault.

Our award winning Kiwi Artificial Sky prototype is of this type (italian press release, also known as Compact Sky Simulator). They are extremely flexible, because they are able to reproduce any kind of sky (statistical or mathematic).

If you are interested at this type of simulator drop us a line with our form.

Complete dome artificial sky scheme

The complete dome artificial skies are very expensive simulators, but very powerful in terms of sky distributions and speed. They are available in few big lighting firm (eg. Bartenbach Lichtlabor) or university laboratories (eg. Cardiff University).

We are working at a custom made dome artificial sky for an Italian University. This type of simulator are designed from the ground up on the needs of customer, thus if you need it, please send your details with our form to arrange a phone/skype meeting.

Every type of artificial sky is completed and functional with:

light sensors (micro luxmeters)
data logging system
endoscopic photo cameras
a system of calibration of lights and geometries (manual procedure or automatic)

Many times the artificial sky is provided with: