Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

In general window and lighting systems in buildings are not operated as an integrated system. As a result, the daylighting features of buildings-any type of window or skylight that brings outdoor light to the building's interior-rarely reduces a building's energy use as much as it could. Daylighting, when done well, can reduce building energy use substantially by reducing its need for electric lighting, cooling and heating. Research suggests that in a daytime-occupied commercial building, proper daylighting could reduce the total electricity and peak demand between 20 and 40 percent. Daylighting offers a general theory and introduction to the use of natural light in architecture. The fourth of Derek Phillip's lighting books draws on his experience to illustrate how best to bring natural light into building design.