Access to Natural Light

Access to daylight from outside reduces the need for artificial lighting, thereby reducing the daytime electrical demand.  The changing qualities of sunlight throughout the day contributes to a more dynamic and pleasant interior space and improved productivity. Technologies such as clerestory windows and lightshelves allow natural light to penetrate deeper into the floorplate.

Related Components

Component-Specific Considerations

  • Glazed doors doors provide access to natural light

  • Narrow floor plates that promote access to natural light and passive ventilation, especially where air is allowed to pass from one building elevation to another.

  • Windows, skylights, and interior courtyards as these allow natural light to penetrate deeper into a building floor plate, reducing daytime electrical demand.

  • Windows and glazed doors provide access to natural light.

Related Materials

Material-Specific Considerations

  • Provision of access to natural light when used in windows, doors, and partitions.