Creating energy-efficient buildings can be a large task, but following these tips and tricks about daylighting can make the job easier. Learn about everything from window placement to skylights and how they can help you achieve a more efficient building.

1. DAYLIGHTING
STRATEGIES

2. An architect should consider the following items
when designing an energy-efficient nonresidential
building, regardless of size and building type.

3. Windows placed high in the wall near the
ceiling provide the most daylight for any
given window area, permitting daylight to
penetrate more deeply into the interior.
PLACE WINDOWS HIGH IN
THE WALL OF EACH FLOOR

4. Because window glass has little or no resistance
to heat flow, it is one of the primary sources of
energy waste and discomfort. Window areas
should, therefore, be kept to a reasonable
minimum, justified by clearly defined needs for
view, visual relief, ventilation, and/or daylighting.
SIZE WINDOWS ACCORDING
TO USE AND ORIENTATION

5. USE LIGHT SHELVES
Light shelves are horizontal projections placed on
the outside and below a window to reflect sunlight
onto the interior ceiling, making it a light-reflecting
surface. At the same time, the light shelf shades the
lower portion of the window, reducing the amount
of light near the window, which is typically overlit.

6. The result is more balanced daylighting
with less glare and contrast between
light levels in the interior.
WITH LIGHT SHELVES WITHOUT LIGHT SHELVES

7. USE SKYLIGHTING FOR
DAYLIGHTING, WITH PROPER
SOLAR CONTROLS
Skylighting that is properly sized and oriented
is an efficient and cost-effective source
of lighting. White-painted ceilings and walls
further improve the efficiency. Electric lighting
costs, peak demand charges, and work
interruptions during power brownouts can be
greatly reduced by using daylight.

8. Cost-effective, energy-efficient skylights
can be small, spaced widely, with
“splayed” interior light wells that help
reflect and diffuse the light.
WITH SKYLIGHTS WITHOUT SKYLIGHTS

9. Wiley is a registered trademark of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Steel and glass building photos © Manuel Gutjahr/iStockphoto
Learn even more about strategies for
designing energy-efficient buildings with
Architectural Graphic Standards Online.
Visit us at graphicstandards.com.