Architectural Daylighting Strategies

DAYLIGHTING STRATEGIES

An architect should consider the following items when designing an energy-efficient nonresidential

building, regardless of size and building type.

Windows placed high in the wall near the ceiling provide the most daylight for any given window area, permitti ng daylight to penetrate more deeply into the interior.

PLACE WINDOWS HIGH INTHE WALL OF EACH FLOOR

Because window glass has litt le or no resistance to heat fl ow, it is one of the primary sources of energy waste and discomfort. Window areas

should, therefore, be kept to a reasonable minimum, justi fi ed by clearly defi ned needs for

view, visual relief, venti lati on, and/or daylighti ng.

SIZE WINDOWS ACCORDINGTO USE AND ORIENTATION

USE LIGHT SHELVES

Light shelves are horizontal projecti ons placed on the outside and below a window to refl ect sunlight onto the interior ceiling, making it a light-refl ecti ng surface. At the same ti me, the light shelf shades the lower porti on of the window, reducing the amount of light near the window, which is typically overlit.

The result is more balanced daylighti ng with less glare and contrast between

light levels in the interior.

WITH LIGHT SHELVES WITHOUT LIGHT SHELVES

USE SKYLIGHTING FORDAYLIGHTING, WITH PROPER

SOLAR CONTROLS

Skylighti ng that is properly sized and orientedis an effi cient and cost-eff ecti ve source

of lighti ng. White-painted ceilings and wallsfurther improve the effi ciency. Electric lighti ng

costs, peak demand charges, and work interrupti ons during power brownouts can be

greatly reduced by using daylight.

Cost-eff ecti ve, energy-effi cient skylights can be small, spaced widely, with

“splayed” interior light wells that help refl ect and diff use the light.

WITH SKYLIGHTS WITHOUT SKYLIGHTS

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Steel and glass building photos © Manuel Gutjahr/iStockphoto

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