3 steps to better daylight in buildings

More daylight is not necessarily the same as better daylight. The most important factor is how daylight is implemented in the architecture and is perceived by users. Here are three steps to improve daylight design based on Henning Larsen Architects’ work methods.

1. Consider the context

Daylight naturally depends on the geographical orientation. From North the light is primarily radiation from the sky, whereas the light from the South, East and West is characterized by being more direct. That needs to be reflected in the design of fa?ades. Use larger, more clear window areas when facing the North and smaller, more defined, when facing other orientations.

2. Work with contrast

The standards often favors even daylight – that is where the light is spread out evenly. But we did a research project on two of our libraries, where a team of students were asked to evaluate the experience of Gentofte Library and Albertslund Library. Gentofte Library has a very contrast filled lighting environment, whereas Albertslund Library is a setting of very even daylight. The tendency was clear: More of the students preferred to stay longer in the Gentofte Library than the one in Albertslund - and at the same time felt the lighting supported the architecture more and was more inspiring and attractive (J?rgensen et al., 2010). Other research shows that a smaller window with clear glass gives a better experience of daylight than a big window with reflecting glass (Volf, 2013). Daylight is not a standardized asset; it is about how you experience it, and often it is experienced as more present when there is a high brightness contrast. Always work with dissimilarities and contrasts in daylight design.

Top: Albertslund library. Daylight is evenly distributed in alignment with regulations.

Bottom: Gentofte library. A varied contrast between light and dark.

3. Create hang out spaces in the fa?ade

Research shows that we are attracted to light when it does not blind us (Khanie, 2015). Lights draws us, we turn towards it. Basically we act like flowers. We are therefore naturally drawn to a building’s fa?ade. Thus, the fa?ade needs to be more than a climate screen. It needs to be a sojourn, a place for pauses and a learning space. We achieve that by integrating bay windows and niches. At Frederiksbjerg School in Aarhus, the window niches in the fa?ade are used actively as a design element. The window niches are now actively being used as hang out spots that enables the pupils to detract themselves from the bigger class room and find their own smaller space in the room. It gives them daylight, and as a plus, their integration in the fa?ade entwines them with the surrounding city. Make sure to consider the fa?ade as a place for hanging out.

It is important that we care for good daylight design. Often building regulations and demands from working environment authorities does not necessarily support good daylight environments. Rules need to secure the common denominator, but it is up to us to secure the quality of daylight in our buildings. In this case, really good quality has a lot of faces.