A common misconception is that a design needs to have more glass for effective daylighting. But effective daylighting can also be achieved with smaller apertures and glazing designed for specific indirect light, located high in a space to bounce light on to a ceiling.

Interior finishes can enhance or hinder daylight levels. Specify light-colored ceiling and wall paint to bounce light further into the room.

Explore a combination of daylight strategies such as space planning techniques, glazing selection, lightshelves and more.

Choose a LEED compliance path to verify that the daylighting meets the footcandle requirements of 25–500 footcandles for 75%–90% of regularly occupied spaces.

Option 1:  Computer daylight simulations can be the most effective design tool, but hiring a modeler will be an upfront cost.

Retailers may see increased sales linked with daylighting, according to studies showing a correlation between sales and natural lighting. Additional savings may be seen by employers through increased employee retention/satisfaction as well as productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Designing for daylighting will allow you to reduce the number of ambient light fixtures and their frequency of use, reducing the cost of electric lighting both upfront and in operations.

Prescriptive compliance paths for EAc1 (other than energy modeling) do not allow window-to-wall ratios greater than the relevant reference standard. Projects using these compliance paths are limited in the amount of allowable glazing area.

Locate classrooms and other regularly occupied spaces near perimeter glazing, courtyards, or other daylight sources. Support areas such as restrooms, storage, and areas that do not require or would be hindered by windows, such as restrooms, storage areas, and transitions can be located near the building core.

Consider designing spaces with narrow floor plates so that most spaces are near windows and have access to daylight.

Hold an integrated design meeting with the architect, interior designers, mechanical engineer, lighting designer and the end users to discuss daylighting-related tradeoffs.   Optimize glazing area while preventing excessive heat gain and glare; and use open space planning that allows for greater light transfer while preserving privacy.