Designing daylight solutions for commercial buildings
Introduction
The availability of artificial light over the last two centuries and the restructuring of our working day means we are fast becoming the 'Indoor Generation', a generation of people whose experience of daylight and fresh air during the week can often be restricted to the morning commute to work or school, a quick lunch break or a stop at the supermarket on the way home.
The influence that architecture has on our lives cannot be understated, and the need to create healthier, brighter indoor spaces with greater access to daylight and to the outdoors is a pressing one.
Whilst we have adapted to living indoors, we are essentially still outdoor animals, and our genetic code is designed for us to live in a natural environment.
Light is an acute stimulant that directly alerts the brain and thus can affect energy levels as well as alertness and productivity. It affects mood and influences social behaviours and cognitive performance.
The impact of daylight on occupants in commercial buildings
Research on office buildings has shown that office workers highly value access to a window and to varying degrees of daylight. Even in darker locations within a building, the occupants still expressed satisfaction with the daylight level, as long as they could look into a daylit space. In the YouGov survey, 39% of respondents said that daylight significantly impacts on their mood.
To find out more on how to design commercial buildings for improved health and productivity by utilising daylight download your free copy of the whitepaper, Designing daylight solutions for commercial buildings.
Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Aspects of daylighting design covered by EN 17037.
- Daylight.
- Daylight factor.
- EN 17037 Daylight in buildings.
- Glare.
- Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
- Lighting.
- Lighting and health infographic.
- Lighting designer.
- Lighting and offices.
- Rooflights.
- Site layout planning for daylight and sunlight.
- Types of building EN 17037 applies to.
- Solar gain.
- Types of lighting.
- Windows.
Featured articles and news
Commissioning Responsibilities Framework BG 88/2025
BSRIA guidance on establishing clear roles and responsibilities for commissioning tasks.
An architectural movement to love or hate.
Don’t take British stone for granted
It won’t survive on supplying the heritage sector alone.
The remarkable story of a Highland architect.
The Constructing Excellence Value Toolkit
Driving value-based decision making in construction.
Meet CIOB event in Northern Ireland
Inspiring the next generation of construction talent.
Reasons for using MVHR systems
6 reasons for a whole-house approach to ventilation.
Supplementary Planning Documents, a reminder
As used by the City of London to introduce a Retrofit first policy.
The what, how, why and when of deposit return schemes
Circular economy steps for plastic bottles and cans in England and Northern Ireland draws.
Join forces and share Building Safety knowledge in 2025
Why and how to contribute to the Building Safety Wiki.
Reporting on Payment Practices and Performance Regs
Approved amendment coming into effect 1 March 2025.
A new CIOB TIS on discharging CDM 2015 duties
Practical steps that can be undertaken in the Management of Contractors to discharge the relevant CDM 2015 duties.
Planning for homes by transport hubs
Next steps for infrastructure following the updated NPPF.
Access, history and Ty unnos.
The world’s first publicly funded civic park.
Exploring permitted development rights for change of use
Discussing lesser known classes M, N, P, PA and L.
CIOB Art of Building photo contest 2024 winners
Fresco School by Roman Robroek and Once Upon a Pass by Liam Man.