Daylighting in Buildings
en•hu

Learning to design with daylight.

DAYLIGHTING IN BUILDINGS

Architecture, daylight design, visual comfort.

EDP Headquarters | Architect: Manuel Aires Mateus | Lisbon, Portugal | Photo © Filetoth.

Every building is shaped by countless decisions made before it is built. Understanding daylighting in buildings helps architects make better decisions.

Scroll to discover how daylight shapes buildings.

Roof lights and light scoops distribute daylight deep into the interior.
Roof lights and light scoops distribute daylight deep into the interior.

What is daylighting?

More than sunlight through windows.

Daylight is one of architecture's oldest materials, yet it remains one of its least understood. Everyone experiences daylight, yet few learn to design with it. Daylight is more than sunlight entering through windows. It is a fundamental design material that shapes the quality, comfort and experience of buildings.

Building form and spacing determine how daylight reaches interior spaces.
Building form and spacing determine how daylight reaches interior spaces.

Why Early Design?

The most important decisions are made before construction begins.

Every building is shaped by countless decisions made in the earliest stages of design. Orientation, form, proportion and spatial relationships establish much of a building's future daylight performance long before construction begins. These early decisions are also the easiest—and most valuable—to improve.

External shading redirects daylight, reduces glare and preserves views to the outside.
External shading redirects daylight, reduces glare and preserves views to the outside.

How to Design with Daylight?

Better decisions lead to better buildings.

Daylighting helps architects understand how design decisions influence daylight in interior spaces. It also reveals the consequences of familiar design decisions while meaningful choices are still possible. Combined with design principles, assessment methods and practical experience, daylighting becomes another tool for creating healthier, more comfortable and better-performing buildings.