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    Let the DAYLIGHT in!

    Daylighting design and evaluation - based on the 17037 EU standard.

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    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings

    Why consider daylight?

    Natural light - or daylight - improves the quality of any building.

    Save
    on energy costs

    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Save on energy costs
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Save on energy costs
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Save on energy costs
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Save on energy costs

    Continuous availability of natural light helps to reduce electric lighting usage and optimize building energy costs.

    Improve
    indoor environment

    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Improve indoor environment
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Improve indoor environment
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Improve indoor environment
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Improve indoor environment

    Comfortable and pleasant indoor spaces contribute to the well-being, health and productivity of the occupants.

    Increase
    property value

    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Increase property value
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Increase property value
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Increase property value
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Increase property value

    Bright and sunny real estates with great views have higher values and provide better return on investment.

    Save on energy costs - all day, every day.

    Use it all day, every day

    Daylight is available over 4400 hours in a year, all day, every day - even in rainy, cloudy weather.

    Get it free of charge

    The renewable source of all daylight is the Sun, providing over 8,8 10 7 lm/m2 annual illuminance free of charge.

    See the natural colors

    Daylight provides the highest level of color-rendering (CRI > 95%) that no electric light source can fully match.

    Save on lighting costs

    A good daylighting design can save up to 75% of the energy used for electric lighting in a building.

    Daylight provision

    Daylight can contribute significantly to the lighting needs of any type of building.

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    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Daylight provision
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Daylight provision
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Daylight provision
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Daylight provision
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Daylight provision
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Daylight provision

    The daylight provision levels (minimum, medium or high) of the interior spaces of an existing or completed building can be determined with on-site measurements.

    This is invaluable information for inhabitants and owners to plan interior renovation or refurbishment; to optimize electric light usage and to provide better indoor environment for the occupants.

    The daylight performance of the interiors effects the value of the entire building. Real-estate professionals can use this benchmark to compare properties and deliver more accurate return on investment forecasts.

    EU Standard ET (ETM) lx F plane (min) %
    Minimum 300 (100) lx 50 (95)%
    Medium 500 (300) lx 50 (95)%
    High 750 (500) lx 50 (95)%

    Levels of daylight provision by openings in vertical and inclined surfaces (EN 17037 EU Standard).

    Daylight provision metrics helps architects and their clients during building design to evaluate design alternatives. The annual energy usage of electric lighting can be estimated based on the daylight performance of the future building.

    Country-specific building codes target daylight performance metrics, however these regulations typically do not provide measurement methods and tools for design validation.

    During building design - or renovation projects - the daylight performance can be calculated using the daylight factor (D) method. The target daylight factors corresponding to target illuminance levels are provided for 33 European cities by the EN 17037 European standard to consolidate, standardize and simplify such calculations.

    For daylight design the location and surroundings of the of the building; the size, position glazing and orientation of the openings and the properties of the interior (furnishing, wall and ceiling surface reflectance) must be considered.

    To achieve a certain recommendation level (minimum, medium or high) of the EU standard - a target illuminance level ET (lx) must be achieved across a fraction (F plane, %) of the reference plane (located 0,85 m above the floor level) within a space for at least half of the daylight hours (F time, %) available at a given location. In addition, a minimum target illuminance level ETM (lx) must also be achieved across the reference plane in case of vertical or inclined windows.

    Let the sunshine in - and stay healthy.

    Keep your internal clock in sync

    The availability of direct sunshine is crucial for the brain to maintain the circadian rhythm - adjust the melatonin levels - and keep the daily schedule for sleep and wakefulness.

    Get the sunshine vitamin

    Vitamin D supports bone health, blood pressure regulation and immune system strength - but only if your body is exposed to direct sunshine.

    Enjoy the sun and stay healthy

    Sunshine helps to lower stress, fight off depression, treat skin conditions, have a good sleep at night and helps to live a healthier, longer life.

    Let in the sun when it's cold

    Use passive and active solar heating systems to maximize the amount of solar gain and reduce heating costs in the cold season.

    Exposure to sunlight

    Direct sunlight is a quality criterion contributing to human well-being.

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    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Exposure to sunlight
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Exposure to sunlight
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Exposure to sunlight
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Exposure to sunlight
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Exposure to sunlight
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Exposure to sunlight

    The duration of direct sunlight throughout the year in an existing building interior can be determined with on-site measurements, using photographs and sun-path diagrams. Based on this information the level of exposure to sunshine for a room (minimum, medium or high) can be determined; and used as input data for renovation planning and real-estate value estimation purposes.

    EU Standard Sunlight exposure
    Minimum 1,5 h
    Medium 3,0 h
    High 4,0 h

    Levels for daily sunlight exposure (EN 17037 EU Standard).

    During building design - sunlight access must be handled in junction with solar gain evaluations, the use of passive solar systems as well as visual comfort requirements by architects.

    Design considerations will influence the form and functional layout of the building itself, the design of the façade, the size and orientation of the daylight openings and the characteristics of the shading systems as well.

    Minimum exposure to sunlight should be provided in common areas of kinder gardens, retirement homes, patient rooms of hospitals and at least one habitable room of residential dwellings or houses.

    The level (minimum, medium, high) of exposure to sunlight is evaluated through the expression of the minimum number of hours during which a space receives direct sunlight, for a clear cloudless reference day in the year between February 1st and March 21st.

    When designing a building exposure to sunshine assessment to be conducted for each opening of the room in the internal center of the opening width; considering the external environment and other parts of the building - as obstructions - that can reduce the surface of the visible sky when the Sun may be appear.

    Create pleasant workspaces - at home or in the office.

    Stay focused - stay sharp

    To maintain focus on the work - bright sunlight or its reflection glare on a monitor, desk, board or projector screen must be avoided.

    Setup your workspace smartly

    Selecting the right location and workspace position, adjusting the viewing direction may help to reduce the unpleasant distractions caused by glare.

    Shed some light

    Proper use of shading devices can help to reduce the risk of glare in open offices or co-working spaces where occupants are unable to choose their work position or viewing direction.

    Work in harmony

    Create pleasant and productive work environment with the harmony of lighting, shading, interior décor and workplace ergonomics.

    Protection from glare

    Glare is a negative sensation causing annoyance, discomfort or loss of visibility.

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    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Protection from Glare
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Protection from Glare
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Protection from Glare
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Protection from Glare
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Protection from Glare
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - Protection from Glare

    Sunlight - particularly in classrooms and workspaces - can cause serious visual discomfort. Once the sources of glare and its duration is identified, the probability of glare can be minimized.

    Modifying the layout and arrangement of workspaces, applying external and internal shading devices and daylight aperture glazing systems can reduce glare and ensure more comfortable work environment for existing buildings as well.

    EU Standard DGP e < 5%
    Minimum 0,45
    Medium 0,40
    High 0,35

    Levels of threshold for glare protection (EN 17037 EU Standard).

    Daylight has a significant impact on visibility, visual comfort, aesthetics, task performance, safety, mood, satisfaction, work productivity and social interactions. The presence of direct sunlight or its reflection in the field of view - however - can cause risk of glare in workspaces (glare caused by daylight differs from glare caused by electric light sources).

    A glare assessment is suggested in spaces, where activities are comparable to reading, writing or using display devices and the occupants are not able to choose their position and viewing direction. For glare protection retractable shading devices with variable translucency are recommended.

    To evaluate the visual comfort of an interior space the EU standard provides clear metrics and benchmark criteria to test and improve design proposal.

    The Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) approach is used to assess protection from glare caused by daylight. This considers both the illuminance at eye level and individual glare sources of high luminance to estimate the fraction of dissatisfied persons. DGP is a glare metric developed under real daylight conditions in a side-lit space.

    The minimum recommendation level for glare protection is that the DGP for the occupied space does not exceed a value of 0,45 in more than 5% of the occupation time of the relevant space.

    Enjoy the view - stay in picture.

    Be in the picture

    View of the outside - visual connection with the exterior - provide information about the local environment, weather changes and the time of the day.

    Relax with the view

    The outside view provides refreshment and relaxation afforded by a change of the visual field and focus and helps to relieve the fatigue associated with long periods of indoors stay.

    Home with a view

    The quality (diversity, number of visible layers) and the characteristics (distance, view angle) of the view out significantly affects property values.

    Look out - feel safe

    The view of the outside world has its own, unique qualities; lends a feeling of security for the occupants that can't be substituted with CCTV security systems.

    View out

    Windows provide much more than daylight that can't be substituted or ignored.

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    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - View out
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - View out
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - View out
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - View out
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - View out
    • Filetoth.eu - Daylight of buildings - View out

    The quality of the view available from an interior of a flat greatly effects the value of a property. Flats and apartments within the same building may have equal floor area and layout, yet the quality of the offered view may differ greatly.

    A wide and distant view is appreciated more than a narrow and near view. A diverse and dynamic view is more interesting than a monotonous view. A view of nature may have positive influence on a person’s sense of wellbeing, and job satisfaction, and people generally prefer to sit near a daylight opening and to look outside.

    EU Standard Horizontal sight angle Outside distance Number of layers
    Minimum ≥ 14° ≥ 6,00 m Landscape
    Medium ≥ 28° ≥ 20,00 m Landscp+1
    High ≥ 54° ≥ 50,00 m All 3 layers

    Levels of view out from a given position (EN 17037 EU Standard).

    View to the outside provides information about the environment, weather changes and the time of day, and this can relieve the fatigue associated with long periods of being indoors. All occupants of a space should have the opportunity for relaxation afforded by a change of scene and focus.

    The European standard provides benchmarks and various methods to evaluate the quality of view out during the design phase of the building - as well as to verify the view out level of existing interior spaces.

    View out to the outside should be assessed from selected reference points corresponding to where people are located within the interior space. The quality of the view depends on the width of the viewing angle (the size of the window); the distance and the number of distinct, visible layers (sky, landscape, ground) and the quality of the environmental information of the view.

    The view out level is assessed from a given position and depend on the horizontal sight angle, the distance of outside view, and the number of visible layers of the exterior environment.

    The overall achieved level for view out should be ranked according to the lowest rated criterion. Furthermore, a view opening should have glazing that ensure a view through the glazing is perceived to be clear, undistorted and neutrally colored.

    Providing the highest view levels are specifically important for buildings for people with limited mobility.

    References

    Case studies, articles, daylighting design and measurement.

    Daylight provision evaluation, exposure to sunlight duration, glare risk assessment, view out validation.
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    Frequently asked questions

    Daylight, sunlight, glare, view out and the EN 17037 EU standard.

    Contact

    Daylighting design and evaluation services - based on the European standard.

    Please contact us using the form bellow - if you need help or advise with daylighting design, evaluation, measurement or validation metrics - based on the recommendation levels and metric provided by the EN 17037 European Standard: Daylight of Buildings.

    Architects

    Design better quality buildings, utilize more renewable energy, comply with regulations.

    Owners

    Improve the quality of existing indoor spaces for living and working and save on energy costs.

    Developers

    Calculate and compare property values, estimate the expected return on investment.

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