Natural Lighting

מעונות אוניברסיטת בן גוריון בנגב

Natural lighting holds a paramount value in sustainable design.

It promotes significant savings in energy consumption, both for lighting and heating. It also creates a healthier environment that encourages high productivity in our living environment. For instance, natural light in shopping malls showed a 40% higher turnover than similar shopping malls illuminated mainly by artificial lighting.

Sustainable design applies natural lighting through:

Insertion of natural light into active areas of the building, at specific levels of illumination for corresponding activities.
Utilizing natural light for passive heating thereby reducing energy consumption.
Direct access to views and landscape.

Achieving the above objectives is carried out through various design applications such as:

The geometry of the building and its interior design: ensuring that occupants are near the fenestration systems and building envelope as much as possible
Optimal window size and configuration: window area is designed relative to the room to assure windows are ideal for the space (not too large or too small)
The level of transparency and radiation transmission of the glazing system.
Integration of elements to prevent glare and direct radiation: external or internal shading elements.
Elements that accentuate natural lighting in the inner space: light shelves, light tubes, and more.

We assess natural lighting through computerized simulation systems and parametric design methods to weigh all the glazing parameters.

The results of this analysis enable the optimal design of glazing and lighting specifications. It also indicates potentials for more economical and efficient alternatives, while considering additional aspects:

Glazing insulation Values
Thermal conductivity
Light Transition Rate (VT or LT): the fraction of the sun's rays in the visible light passing through the glazing system. It is affected by the level of transparency and clarity of the glass.
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): the ratio of heat transfer from solar radiation to the building through the glazing system.
The glazing frame: which can serve as a cooling bridge, which majorly impacts on energy loss.

The required artificial lighting will be minimal and efficient, though the use of lighting sensors. Artificial light needs will vary according to time of day, season, and changing climatic conditions such as cloudiness, haze, smog, etc. Lighting circuits will be designed in accordance with natural lighting. As natural light decreases, artificial lighting will amplify steadily.

Research has proven that natural light helps us function better for numerous reasons, such as:

Boosts vitamin D
Improves sleep
Healthier than fluorescent lighting
Improves vision
Enhanced mood, lessens the impact of SAD (seasonal affective disorder)

Space with abundant natural light fosters a healthy and productive environment for occupants.

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