 Daylighting
Daylighting makes interior spaces more attractive to human habitation. The movement of clouds and sun throughout the day creates a livelier space and connects people to the environment beyond the walls and ceiling. People just feel better in a space with natural daylight, especially with the addition of healthy living plants. In addition, daylighting has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to enhance learning in daylit classrooms as well as enhance marketability of goods sold in daylit retail space. (Daylighting in Schools, and Skylighting and Retail Sales - Investigations into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance, published in 1999 by Heschong Mahone Group, Fair Oaks, CA) Light/Space/Design combines the architectural and building science expertise needed to achieve successful daylit spaces with lighting design and technical expertise. This leads to sensitively integrated lighting that complements a space both visually and functionally. Following are important issues to keep in mind for successful adaptation of daylighting. It's not as simple as adding windows or skylights! |
- Work with lighting designer/daylighting consultant at the schematic development phase of a project. Most opportunities for properly designed, effective daylighting are gained or lost at this early design stage.
- Model architectural spaces for daylighting with physical models and/or computer models. Simple computer models provide an opportunity to model natural daylighting with and without artificial lighting, and result in lower electrical loads than if considered separately.
- Understand the complex interrelationship between daylighting and glare, and that specification of glass/glazing systems, and interior/exterior sun shading devices is a critical part of daylighting consulting.
- Work with cooperative engineers who understand that cooling reductions for artificial lighting offset heat gain from optimized daylighting design when systems are properly designed and installed. Of course, there will be some increase in heating load in cold climates, but those costs are less than for cooling. Further cost reductions are achieved in internal load dominated buildings.
- Understand that the artificial light source and luminaire type need to be closely matched to lighting control requirements for daylighting.
- Realize the importance of being/having a supportive client in achieving a successful daylighting application. Understand that the payback from daylighting well done is more than monetary - it affects the occupant’s whole sense of well-being.
- Expect to save energy from daylighting unless you follow the considerations outlined above.
- Overwhelm a space with daylight, particularly if it is a space where people must work at desks or on computers. Direct light can be a hindrance to comfort and productivity in these instances.
- Eliminate automatic control systems, assuming people will turn out the lights when its bright outside. That was something our parent might have done, but don't count on the rest of us.