Daylighting: Natural Light in Architecture

The accommodation at first and second

floor levels is lit from the South by windows

and the central atrium, whilst the

accommodaton to the north has an internal

corridor with rooms doubled up, lit either

from the north side or the central atrium.

The resulting solution ensures that the

central area of the two upper floors are well

daylit, and even catch some sunlight during

certain hours of the day. The sun is not

controlled by blinds and there is perhaps some

danger of overheating from the overhead sun,

though this would be rare in the UK.

Energy studies were carried out by Buro

Happold, and a system of daylight linking by

means of photocells, adopted to ensure that

the level of artificial light is controlled during

the day, and can be related to the level of the

outside daylight. There is no Building

Management System (BEMS) to provide a

more direct control, but despite this, an

economic energy solution has been provided.

Students Union, University of Warwick 123

Building exterior, daylight

Interior of one of the upper floor leisure areas

Daylighting to the atrium from roof level

Atrium from first floor level

Casson Conder

Casson Conder

Casson Conder

Casson Conder