Planning for Daylight

Abstract

This paper summarises the progress which has been made during recent years, particularly as regards the predetermination of daylight factors and international agreement on a standard of inadequacy for daylighting. The use of the “no-sky line” as a measure of inadequacy is described.

In planning for such buildings as large blocks of offices or multiple dwellings in built-up areas, it is pointed out that there are two fundamental matters to be considered, viz., the drafting of building regulations to secure a share of daylight for every building in the area and the designing of buildings to make the best use of this daylight. The development of an island site on a cruciform plan possesses considerable advantage from the point of view of daylight. Windows must be of adequate height. The access of direct sunlight to buildings is of great importance and the erection of balconies immediately above window heads should be avoided. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations.