In this article, we will focus on strategies to control how daylight enters the building. Generally speaking, we want to filter light as it enters a building to maximize bright, ambient light suitable for the function of the space while also considering other factors, from energy efficiency to more subjective qualities such as how light moves throughout the day and interacts with textures and forms.
Daylighting 101: Orientation
When we talk about the orientation of a building, we mean how the building sits on the site relative to its context, the most important of which is typically the sun (other factors being wind, views, topography and surrounding landscapes, buildings and streets). It is easier to optimize the orientation of a building for solar exposure in new construction, but there are takeaways that can be applied to existing homes as well.
Daylighting 101: Why Does Daylight Matter?
Connecting to nature has a profound impact on our wellbeing. If you imagine being a room with big windows, indoor plants, fresh air, a view of a forest and lots of light, you instinctively feel more comfortable and relaxed than imagining being in a room with no windows or plants, recycled air and artificial light. “Natural light” is frequently cited as a major consideration when people are deciding where to live or how to remodel their existing homes. In architecture, natural light is referred to as daylight.