Office Design
Design Interior to Maximize Daylight
What Is It?
A building’s interior design can maximize the use of natural light. Architectural elements such as the number of windows, window position, room size, and room shape all play large roles in the amount of sunlight that enters a room, as well as the distribution of that light within the room. Strip windows provide the most even and large amount of sunlight. Bright and somewhat reflective surfaces such as paint and the type of floor can aid in the distribution of sunlight. The interior layout should not block windows with cabinets or other large items. Work-spaces should be strategically placed to have a comfortable amount of sunlight, such as putting a desk sideways to a window.
Benefits
Utilizing the maximum amount of daylight saves energy that would normally be used for artificial lighting and heating. Designing a bright, sunny interior reduces the number of light fixtures that are necessary, reduces electricity bills, creates a more pleasant workspace, and is known to improve employee morale. Strong sunlight can also help heat a room during the winter; although this can be a disadvantage in the summertime, insulating windows and using functional window shades and drapes can help mitigate the problem of overheating. Maximizing daylight works best in conjunction with lighting controls that modulate the intensity of artificial lights depending on the amount of natural light in the room.
NEWS
- "The Sustainability Imperative" National Real Estate Invest, May 27, 2016
- "This net-zero elementary school offers a lesson in sustainable design" Curbed, September 14, 2016
RESOURCES
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Daylight in Buildings: A Source Book on Daylighting Systems and Components
- National Institute of Building Sciences: Daylighting
- The Daily Herald: Bring More Natural Light into a Home
- InformeDesign: Daylight in Buildings
- New Buildings Institute, Integrated Design Lab, & Interior Architects: Daylighting Guide for Office Interiors
