Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

this was not enough, and the concept of the rooflight was developed to
introduce daylight into interiors far from the side windows.
Illustrations of some window types indicate the variety of window
shapes that have evolved over the centuries, set into the vertical sides of
buildings.
The horizontal window is perhaps the most well known of all, starting
as it did in mediaeval times, limited by the construction methods of the
day. It is still much used in today’s domestic architecture. Provided the
horizontal window is placed high in the wall the daylighting will
penetrate well into the space, but other features of the window need to be
considered, such as the view out which will be prejudiced where the cill
is too high.
A logical development of this type is where the horizontal window
extends the entire length of the external wall, a device used in nineteenth
century industrial buildings to provide even and sufficient light for
machine operators. This type of window required new structural
techniques to overcome the need for vertical support to the structure
above.
Yet a further example is the clerestorey; found mainly in tall buildings
such as churches, generally associated with other forms of window at
lower level to provide the main daylight. Clerestoreys are placed at high
level to assist in getting daylight further into the interior and to light the
roof structure.
A logical development of the extended horizontal window, is the floor
to ceiling window; as structural techniques were perfected, this type of
window has become almost universal in some types of architectural
programme such as the office. The 1930s saw the innovation of the wrap
around corner window as further structural techniques were made
possible.

Windows 21

Orange Operational facility

Les Shipsides

City Hall, London. Interior/exterior

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