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Learn & Plan Topics

  • Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

    Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside the building. It includes air quality, but also access to da...

  • The Workplace Environment as a Catalyst for Social Change

    We know workplace design can influence functional behaviors, but can it be a catalyst for social change? Can organizations use the environment to...

  • Health

    Good health has both physical and psychological components. Being healthy means the absence of disease and illness, as well as feeling posi...

  • Spatial Equity

    Organizations today are less hierarchical and work is more team based, more mobile, and more cross functional. A key to spatial equity is that sp...

  • Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

    Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.

  • Space Reconfiguration and Renovation Projects

    As needs change over time, tenants often need to convert space or phase the conversion of individual space or rooms to meet these changing needs....

  • Under 10,000 SF Interiors Gut Rehab Project

    This page provides Sustainable Strategies to consider as a space has or will undergo a major tenant gut rehab for projects under 10,000 SF.

  • Buildings and Health

    The challenge for building design and operations is to identify and eliminate health risks while also providing positive physical, emotional, and...

  • Circadian Light

    Circadian rhythms are physiological processes that occur in the body approximately every 24-hours. Medical research has linked circadian disrup...

  • The Importance of Daylight

    While many people prefer to be in spaces with abundant daylight, a critical question is to what extent the benefits of daylight matter to those who ...

  • Sustainable Sites

    Choosing a building's site and managing that site during construction are important to ensure a project’s sustainability. Environmentally r...

  • Sense of Place

    What makes a workplace special? What fosters a sense of attachment, engagement and identity? These are the kinds of questions that underlie the ...

  • Occupant Comfort

    Comfortable workers are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work than those who struggle to work in spaces that create barr...

  • Keys to Success

    Sustainable design, construction, operation, and renovation are best thought of as an integrated process, rather than a collection of things. The pr...

  • Project Guidance

    For each project there is a selection of issues and questions you should consider before selecting specific materials or products. This will help...

  • Building Systems Upgrades

    This page details Sustainable Strategies to consider as your space undergoes a building system upgrade to improve energy, water use, and occupant co...

  • Best Practices & Case Studies

    One of the best ways to learn and make the case for high-performance building innovations is to point to others’ experience in implementing th...

  • Biophilic Design

    Learn why nature is so important to us, what we know about the benefits of nature, and how biophilia is being applied in buildings, particularly in ...

Green Products

Daylighting

Daylighting uses natural daylight as a substitute for electrical lighting. While it will likely be counterproductive to eliminate electrical lighting completely, the best proven strategy is to employ layers of light - using daylight for basic ambient light levels while providing occupants with additional lighting options to meet their needs. 

An effective daylighting strategy appropriately illuminates the building space without subjecting occupants to glare or major variations in light levels, which can impact comfort and productivity.

In order to provide equitable access to daylight ensure the space is optimized to disperse daylight well. Locate private offices toward the core of the space and specify low workstation panels. Use glass walls and light-colored surfaces on walls and desks to disperse daylight throughout the space. In all daylighting strategies, it is important to consider glare and to take steps to minimize it. Find more strategies below:

GSA | Saving Energy through Lighting and Daylighting Strategies

DOE LBL | Tips for Daylighting with Windows

Whole Building Systems

Materials

  • Interior Glazing

    Interior glazing is an option that may replace part of the standard wall construction to allow natural light to penetrate into the interior spaces...

  • Daylight Controls

    Daylight controls measure the amount of daylight/ambient light in a room and adjust the electric light levels accordingly. Daylight controls shou...

  • Steel Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fre...

  • Aluminum Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fre...

  • Interior Light Shelves

    Interior light shelves direct daylight deep into a space by bouncing natural light from the light-colored shelves up to the ceiling, where it is r...

  • Clerestory Window

    Clerestory windows allow daylight to penetrate into a space. They are designed to allow daylight to penetrate a space, and therefore are located ...

  • Skylights / Solar Tubes

    Skylights/light tubes allow daylight to penetrate into a space. They are typically located in the roof/ceiling and can vary in size. Certain solar...

  • Glass

    Glass doors are useful for allowing light into a space, and may be used as part of a daylighting strategy, both on the exterior and internally. Gl...

  • Wood Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fre...

  • Glass - Tinted / Colored / Fritted

    Although clear glass is the most common glass component of a window system, tinted glass may be used to reduce solar heat gain. Multiple colors are ...

  • Skylights / Solar Tubes

    Skylights/light tubes allow daylight to penetrate into a space. They are typically located in the roof/ceiling and can vary in s...

  • Systems Furniture

    Systems furniture is frequently used in open office areas because of its flexibility in being reconfigured and rearranged. It is generally comprised...

  • Shades

    Shades are window coverings that block or reduce sunlight penetration through windows. Shades are available in different operational styles such as ...