It’s a statistic that often stops you in your tracks: we spend about 90% of our lives indoors. Think about that for a moment. Even if we’re not talking about air quality or ventilation, just the sheer amount of time we’re inside means the quality of our indoor environment matters immensely. And when we talk about quality, the role of natural daylight is pretty fundamental, isn't it?
For a long time, designing for daylight felt a bit like a nice-to-have, a bonus feature. But increasingly, it’s becoming a core consideration in how we build and design our spaces. This shift is partly thanks to new standards, like the European EN 17037. It’s not just about letting light in; it’s about how we let it in, how it affects us, and how it balances with other building needs.
Why the Fuss About Daylight?
We all know that feeling of stepping outside on a sunny day – it’s invigorating. Conversely, a dimly lit, artificial space can feel draining. The benefits of natural light go beyond just seeing; they impact our comfort, our mood, and even our energy levels. When we’re stuck inside for hours on end, whether for work, study, or just life, having that connection to the outside world through well-designed windows becomes crucial for our well-being.
Historically, different countries had their own ways of approaching daylighting in building design. In the UK, for instance, there was BS 8206-2. But EN 17037 is different. It’s the first Europe-wide standard dedicated solely to daylighting. It’s been a decade in the making, and it’s designed to replace the patchwork of older standards, offering a more unified approach.
What Does EN 17037 Actually Cover?
This new standard isn't just about measuring how much light enters a room. It’s a more holistic approach, looking at four key areas:
- Daylight Provision: This is about ensuring enough light gets into the interior spaces for people to comfortably carry out tasks. It helps determine when artificial lighting might be needed and when it can be switched off, contributing to energy efficiency. The standard offers methods for calculating this, including climate-based modelling and the more traditional daylight factor calculations.
- Assessment of the View Out: It’s not just about light in, but also about the connection out. EN 17037 considers the quality of the view from windows – how wide it is, how far you can see, and what you’re looking at. A good view can significantly enhance occupant comfort and a sense of connection to the environment.
- Access to Sunlight: While too much direct sunlight can cause glare and overheating, controlled access to sunlight is beneficial. The standard looks at how sunlight can be incorporated into designs to provide warmth and visual interest, while also considering how to manage potential downsides.
- Prevention of Glare: This is the flip side of having enough light. Glare can be incredibly uncomfortable and disruptive. EN 17037 provides guidance on how to design spaces to avoid excessive brightness and direct sunlight that can cause visual discomfort.
How Does This Affect Building Design?
EN 17037 encourages designers to think more strategically about glazing. It’s not just about picking a window size; it’s about how the windows, and indeed rooflights, are positioned and designed to optimize these four aspects. For example, modular rooflights, like those from VELUX Commercial, are highlighted as a flexible solution. They can be configured to allow for greater access to unobstructed sky and sunlight, helping to achieve good daylighting levels while also playing a role in a building’s overall energy balance and ventilation strategy.
The standard is primarily written for new buildings, but its principles can also be applied to renovations and upgrades of existing structures. As national bodies incorporate EN 17037 into their own frameworks, we’ll see a more consistent approach to daylighting across Europe, ultimately leading to more comfortable, healthier, and energy-efficient buildings for everyone.
It’s a fascinating evolution, moving from simply having windows to thoughtfully designing with daylight as a fundamental element of occupant well-being and building performance.
