Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

Students Union, University of Warwick

Architect Casson Conder

Engineer Buro Happold

Client University of Warwick

The project arose from a decision made by the
University that additional space was needed
for the existing Students Union Building, due
to the increasing number of students, and the
need to provide many facilities which had not
been available in the past.
The existing building had, in addition to a
number of large spaces suitable for social
activities, all the Students Union
administrative offices. It was agreed to
develop the larger spaces for students’

activities, but to remove all the administrative

offices to the new building.

A number of retail services were to be

provided to include a supermarket, post

office, print shop and bar/restaurant.

After discussions with Buro Happold a

decision was made that these latter facilities,

where good daylighting was less essential

should be placed at the ground level; whilst

the offices and leisure rooms should be located

on two upper levels where good daylighting

could be provided by both side windows and

overhead roof lighting. This solution

permitted an environmentally friendly

building, where the energy used for artificial

lighting during the day could be minimized.

The section and accompanying first floor

plan shows the introduction of a central

atrium running the length of the building,

which provides maximum daylight through a

sloping glass roof coupled with clerestorey

lighting.

The daylight penetrates from the top down

to the first floor level. Side daylighting enters

from both the south and the north elevations,

with additionalbrise soleilto the south to

control sunlight, and light shelves at the first

and second levels to light upwards to the

ceilings.

122 Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

Plan of the Students Union

Section to show central atrium

Section through window to show solar

shielding

Casson Conder

Casson Conder

Casson Conder