Arup Campus
Solihull, United Kingdom
Information:
The first exemplar of good use of daylight in architecture that will be discussed is The Arup Campus, Solihull. This is a project designed and engineered by Arup associates. Arup are a well renowned company when it comes to daylight and artificial lighting. They designed and built this campus and these offices solely for themselves to use during their own research and work. Therefore, this state of the art build avails of low energy, sustainable architecture and a perfectly balanced mix of natural light and artificial light. Overall these aspects align in harmony to create this passive structure.
Architects:
The Arup Associates are a global design-led architecture practice. They are a brilliantly established architectural firm. With 250 architects worldwide, 16 studios globally and 2198 commissions, they have an enthusiastic push for design. They have huge background education in daylighting and artificial lighting. This is the foundation for them to have created a state of the art build in Solihull. They want to help their clients reach their potential and realise their ambitions through the use of architecture that’s grounded in people. In my opinion they were hugely disposed to daylighting designs in their build in Solihull due to the fact it was for their own use. The decisions made in future for their global firm will all be influenced by how much thought and work went into the design of their Campus in Solihull.
Orientation:
The building has a general north-west, south-east orientation, an orientation designed to optimize the natural lighting while respecting the site’s constraints and optimising the use of available space.(12) This orientation of the build is a clever tool to optimise use of natural lighting. As natural light is a renewable energy, this aspect keeps the build a low energy build. This is because less overheads are spent on lighting spaces due to the fact that the natural light involved in the build is already doing so. The architects and engineers involved in this build have clearly put many hours of thought and work into this precise aspect.
Daylight Design:
There are ‘pods’ located at intervals along the roof of the build. These pods allow direct sunlight to penetrate the build through the use of skylights. From above, the pods provide the two storeys with high levels of natural light. The pods themselves are at a slant of approximately 60 degrees to the suns rays. This design allows optimum amounts of direct luminance from the sun, rather than focusing on diffused luminance from the sky as other windows do within this build. These pods are a defining feature in this structure as it is a focal point for daylight within the build. They avail of the suns positioning during the day. The design of these pods shows us how in-depth the architects thought about the relationship this structure would have with the sun.
The sun-path diagram pictured right shows us how exposed the centre of the Arup Campus is during the summer solstice. It shows us the sun’s path in the sky and how it orientates around the centre of the Arup Campus.
Internal Thresholds:
The design of the internal spaces holds key to how efficient these offices are. The building consists of two parallel pavilions of two storeys each, approximately 60 m long by 24 m deep, designed to minimise the number of levels in the building, with mezzanines and floor openings used to maximise internal staff communication, with good light penetration to the lower levels. (12)
The exploration of these architectural thresholds are what makes this build so unique. Daylight is always being considered throughout the design process of these thresholds. The internal spaces created have become more efficient due to the architecturally designed spaces, and let alone the clever inclusion of natural luminance. This is clearly a good example of daylight in architecture. Natural luminance reaches the lower levels of the build with ease. Allowing for open aired, bright and enthusiastic spaces.
Glare:
To ensure good control of glare, the glazing to the north-east and south-west facades is minimised, whilst the use of external solar shading to the southerly facades ensures that the solar heat gain is prevented from entering the building, enabling the strategy of natural ventilation to be effective. (12) This strategy helps elevate the internal space into an efficient and productive one. The architects have avoided setbacks such as glare in order to allow the inhabitants to pursuit their day to day activities. The inhabitants are exposed to satisfactory amounts of daylight, this is a huge plus for the build in all. The inhabitants will be healthier due to this daylight design.
Artificial with Natural:
A sophisticated system of control is used for the artificial lighting, designed to incorporate both proximity control sensing, and daylight linking; in which combined sensors are integrated into the light fittings. The lighting units were specially developed for the campus, as a part of the overall lighting strategy.
The light fittings contain both indirect uplighting and direct downlighting; but it has been found in operation that the amount of the upward light can be reduced, as the level of natural light is more than sufficient, in which the spaces appear light and airy even on comparatively overcast days.(12) We can take from this reference how there is a balance between artificial luminance and natural luminance. Even despite gloomy weather the spaces are still refreshing and bright. This allows a productive workspace all year round.
De Syllas House
Dartmouth Park Road, London
Information:
The second example of good daylight in architecture is De Syllas House in London. This is a project designed by De Syllas himself and Avanti architects who he worked with at the time. It is a simplistic house design that avails of natural luminance in a variety of ways. It is a residential setting, designed for his own use, so the use of daylight was to benefit this function. It involves open plan spaces which act in harmony to create this masterpiece. It has high ceilings that give the spaces their identities. The front elevation faces north-west. It has a strong presence on Dartmouth Park Road, it is 15 m tall and 15 m in length. The choice of this design makes the build seem dominant on this casual street.
Architects:
Justin trained at the Architectural Association in London and became a registered architect in 1970. He combined practice in a number of architectural firms and teaching and research at several schools of architecture before joining Avanti Architects in 1983. He became a Director of Avanti Architects in 1985. His work for Avanti included acting as a design team leader for residential, education, community, media and sports projects and a range of healthcare buildings including GP surgeries, comprehensive health centres, an adult acute mental health crisis unit and the redevelopment of generic and specialist wards and a range of clinical departments at Ulster Hospital, Dundonald. (14)
The fact that De Syllas was a design team leader in residential projects shows he is of perfect calibre for daylighting strategies in this particular project. His background and education in these fields shows us he was disposed to using daylighting strategies in order to enhance his build for his own better interest.
Internal Thresholds:
The internal spaces within this build truly alter the power of the structure as a whole. Its open plan living area is flushed with bright luminance. This is due to the full height windows that have low window sills. This technique avails of large amounts of fresh daylight to be included into the build. This daylight protrudes in from the south. The strategic placement of these windows will provide warmth and natural light during a sunny day. The front door that faces north-west also has a large window over it. This is to ensure that natural light enters the build at all times of the day.
The dining/kitchen is a double height space, with an open tread stair leading up to the first floor; it has a large bay window which connects to a dining patio. The combination of the bay window at low level and a large rooflight above gives the double height space its naturally lit quality at both levels.(15) This reference shows us how the architect established a connection with open plan spaces and natural daylight at both levels of the structure. It is evident here that the architect ensured that this design constituted a good use of natural luminance. The use of these open plan and spacious arrangements allows the architect to truly express themselves as an artist. It gives the project its own stamp and originality.
Residential Design:
The bedrooms, bathroom and study are located below the living room. These rooms are slightly raised over a basement, so that the main bedroom and study have French windows overlooking the garden; and the spare bedroom and bathroom have small windows overlooking the street, just above eye level to give privacy.(15)
This strategic placement of windows allows the inhabitants of this build to enjoy privacy. De Syllas does not sacrifice privacy when incorporating daylight into his design. This is an intuitive decision from the architect.
Energy Saving:
The house is provided with a number of energy saving measures not least of which are its daylighting credentials. The area of glazing to the south is considerable, providing solar heating in the winter, with limited window area to the north to conserve heat. At no time would artificial light be required during the day. The windows to the south are controlled by external awnings against solar gain and all may be opened to achieve summer ventilation.(15)
This build does not need artificial lighting during the day. This is a great strategy in energy saving and reducing energy consumption. The fact that satisfactory ventilation was provided in the design will allow the inhabitants thermal comfort. This is a useful design in all forms of architecture.
Health Benefits:
An important thing to note in this build is the inclusion of a balcony terrace. This balcony can be accessed via the run of windows from the living room. The inhabitant can make use of this balcony by availing of the southern sunlight. This is a huge benefit for health conscious residents.
Michael Young Building, Open University Business School
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.
Information:
The third and final example up for exploration is the Michael Young Building for the Open University Business School. Named after the founder of the Open University the sustainable buildings aims to cater for the social and educational needs of the users.(16) This project was built to provide office and support accommodation for the staff within the build. The building also has numerous meeting rooms with audio and visual facilities for the whole University.
Architects:
Jestico+Whiles are a design led international studio of architects and interior designers.
Our designs are modern but are not borne of any particular house-style or preconceptions. We listen carefully to our clients’ requirements and then respond creatively to deliver spaces which meet their needs but also excite and inspire them. Our buildings are identifiable through the quality of design, attention to detail, and thoroughness of thought. We make all of our projects special. (17) This extract from Jestico+Whiles website is very communicative. It outlines how they approach design ideas. We can take from this that Jestico+Whiles are very well equipped for approaching designs that can harness the most out of their local environments.
As early pioneers of sustainability in its many forms, including both social and environmental, we have continually promoted the importance of considering our precious resources through the work that we do and the influence we have. Our track record is enviable and the checks and balances we have in place to measure what we do and how we do it result from extensive experience and expertise. We lead by example and encourage by informed discussion. (17) This small extract on how Jestico+Whiles approach sustainability in their builds is very interesting. It shows us how close they hold the earth and the natural elements around us. It Is evident here that Jestico+Whiles would make use of all the natural elements, such as daylight, in their build. It exemplifies how this particular group of architects are disposed to daylighting strategies to enhance their structures.
Sustainability:
This buildings aim was to be as sustainable as possible during both design and construction stages. The brief was set out for a low energy building to be constructed. Strategies were set up to minimise maintenance and running costs.
The BRE Method of Assessment (BREEAM) was used for environmental assessment during the design stage, and some modifications were made to achieve the highest levels, resulting in one of the highest scoring assessments made for any building. (18)
The reason this building did so well in this assessment was the use of daylighting techniques that helped to minimise overheads for artificial lighting. The daylighting strategy was to ensure that the window area does not exceed 35 percent glazing which results in lower daylight factors for the interior of the structure. The workspace wings are orientated east/west which optimises solar gain and involves a view of the local landscape.
References:
1. Arup Associates Campus Model - Victoria and Albert Museum [Internet]. [cited 2020 Oct 27]. Available from: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/a/audio-the-arup-associates-campus-project/
2. Derek Phillips. Daylighting - Natural Light in Architecture. Architectural Press; 90–91 p.
3. Moderator Florence Lam. Bring in the Light: Velux Daylight Symposium 2015 [Internet]. [cited 2020 Oct 26]. Available from: https://www.canadianarchitect.com/bring-in-the-light/
4. Justin De Syllas - Consultant - Avanti Architects Limited | LinkedIn [Internet]. [cited 2020 Oct 27]. Available from: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/justin-de-syllas-83226163
5. Derek Phillips. Daylighting - Natural Light in Architecture. Architectural Press; 2004.
6. Michael Young Building, Open University Business School | AJ Buildings Library [Internet]. [cited 2020 Oct 26]. Available from: https://www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk/projects/display/id/1807
7. Approach – Jestico + Whiles [Internet]. [cited 2020 Oct 27]. Available from: https://www.jesticowhiles.com/approach/
8. Philips D. Daylighting - Natural Lighting in Architecture. Architectural Press; 136 p.
9. ARCHITECTURE EBOOK NATURAL LIGHTING Pages 151 - 200 - Flip PDF Download | FlipHTML5 [Internet]. [cited 2020 Oct 27]. Available from: https://fliphtml5.com/lnym/ajet/basic/151-200
