The architecture of light: architectural lighting design concepts and techniques. A textbook of procedures and practices for the architect, interior designer and lighting designer pdfdrive com

Chapter 16 Designing with Daylight

Sustainability and energy concerns have brought daylight design and integration to the forefront of the lighting design practice. Local codes and incentive programs have significantly opened up the daylight discussion. A lighting designer is now expected to have a much broader understanding not only of good daylighting practices, but of specific code and incentive compliance requirements. This trend drives projects to consider daylighting factors - building orientation, glazing, shading structures and landscaping - far earlier in the design process. This leads to earlier lighting designer involvement, making daylighting yet another topic in which the lighting designer should become an expert.
When we talk about the importance of making decisions about where light
will go and how light will interact with architecture, we are talking about the controllable aspects of daylighting, as well as electric light. The most critical component of daylight to remember is that as a source, it is hugely intense. As such, the misuse of daylight can be amazingly detrimental to a project. For this reason, daylight design is primarily a study in control.
There are numerous texts discussing the fine, technical aspects as well as
the more philosophical side of the sun as a light source.
We will focus here on basics that can prove useful as intuitive knowledge. Also presented here is a fundamental procedure that will encourage you to think through all of the factors and decisions that will lead to successful use of daylight.
Daylight can be assessed and controlled, and, as such, it deserves the
same type of design scrutiny that we apply to electric light. We should approach our spaces with the intent to visualize our effects and determine what surfaces and objects will benefit from the addition of daylight, just as we do with electric light.
OBVIOUS BENEFITS OF DAYLIGHT
A primary aspect of daylight systems is to consider the benefits that may serve your design. In order to actually make use of these benefits, the daylight systems we integrate must be as well-conceived as our electric light systems.
First and foremost, daylight is a means of producing light without the
consumption of electricity or other fossil fuels. This is a huge benefit to all manner of projects where sustainability, minimal maintenance and environmental concern are part of the program. Daylight consumes no electricity and also eliminates the need for changing lamps. Daylight can also be harvested with relatively little heat gain, which means that we can reduce our need for the electricity associated with air conditioning and cooling that offsets heat contributed by electric light.
Daylight is also a special source of light because of our long standing
relationship with it. When we consider how long humankind has had only daylight (and occasional firelight) as a light source, it is easy to imagine why we have a special fondness for it. Daylight connects us to the natural world and brings us into contact with a way of life for which we are readily equipped.
Small quantities of daylight stave off depression, allow us to synthesize Vitamin
D, and can invigorate our spirit and energy level. Certain forms of daylight also have the uncanny ability to deeply relax us.
Daylight is inherently dynamic and changes throughout the course of the
day and the year. This factor benefits our natural rhythms and stimulates our active mind. One of the most depressing aspects of poorly-executed electric light is the static, unchanging nature. Daylight is dynamic by nature, so even a small amount can have a huge impact on the interest and stimulating effect of an environment. The changes in daylight quality are so effective in encouraging different mental states that many electric light systems strive to mimic similar changes in texture and color over the course of a day.