Daylighting is the design of buildings to bring in as much natural light as possible. This can be done in two ways: passively or actively.
Passive daylighting
Passive daylighting methods are things architects add to a building to use natural light without needing extra technology. These methods are built into the design. Some examples include:
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Windows (letting in light from outside)
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Sawtooth roofs (angled roofs that let light in from the side)
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Skylights (windows on the roof)
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Laylights (skylights that help light travel deeper into a building)
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Atriums (large open spaces that let light into the building from the top)
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Glass brick & bottle walls (using glass bricks or bottles to let in light but still keep privacy.)
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A daylight engineer might help calculate how much sunlight a room gets and whether that’s enough for comfort or energy savings.
Active Daylighting
Active daylighting uses technology to make the most of natural light. It detects sunlight and automatically adjusts things inside the building, like lights and blinds, based on how much light is available.
Some methods include:
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Daylight harvesting/tracking systems: These systems use sensors to measure natural light and adjust the artificial lighting, so you don’t need to use as much electricity.
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Motorised blinds or shades: Sensors or timers help open or close the blinds automatically to let in the right amount of sunlight.
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Automated reflectors: These adjust to bounce sunlight into the building without letting in too much glare.
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Dynamic glazing/smart windows: These windows can change their tint or opacity (how clear or dark they are) depending on how much sunlight is outside.
Why is daylighting important?
Using natural light instead of artificial light saves energy, which helps the environment and lowers electricity bills.
It’s also good for your health. Natural light boosts serotonin (the chemical that helps your mood) and helps your body make vitamin D. Plus, getting sunlight helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm (the “internal clock” that controls sleep and wake cycles).
In fact, more daylight has even been linked to shorter hospital stays, as natural light helps patients feel better and recover faster!