Incorporating daylight into our homes is essential for consumer health and wellbeing

9 June 2009

The essential health benefits of incorporating natural daylight into our homes and optimising the effect of light in the design of our future homes was the topic of discussion at the third international, VELUX Daylight Symposium held in Rotterdam last month.

A series of researchers and renowned daylight experts reported on the key benefits of incorporating natural daylight into both new and existing homes and buildings. They highlighted the detrimental effects of limited access to daylight on human health and showcased a series of developments, which boasted stunning architectural design while making maximum use of daylight exposure for the benefit of their occupants.

Several international daylight experts presented their latest findings in the field. Among them were Assistant Professor and Head of the Daylight Lab, Marilyn Andersen, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Assistant Professor Steven Lockley from Harvard Medical School and Associate Professor Mohamed Boubekri from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Marilyne Andersen reported that:

"Recent studies have attempted to link environmental clues, such as lighting, with human performance and health, and initial findings indicate a positive correlation between the two. Light can affect humans on physical, physiological, and psychological levels and lack of light can have consequences for human health."

Steven Lockley and Mohamed Boubekri both reinforced this point, suggesting that a lack of exposure to sunlight may have serious consequences for our health.

Mohamed Boubekri, added:

"Lack of daylight and its impact on the health of a buildings’ occupants is becoming ever more salient. The challenge to architects and lighting designers is to optimise the effect of light in future sustainable buildings."

About the Daylight Symposium

The Daylight Symposium is intended to establish a link between the academic world of researchers, the practical reality of the building industry and the people who use the buildings. One of its key objectives is to transform theory and research results into applicable, practical methods, work processes and tools.

Kevin Brennan, Head of Sustainability at VELUX Company Ltd, concluded:

"While in the UK we must adhere to various building standards and codes in relation to improved energy efficiency and quality, the importance of daylight has been largely ignored. By incorporating the use of natural daylight into building design it can not only contribute towards a building’s energy efficiency but it has significant health benefits too – benefits that should not be ignored by the Government, the industry or the consumer.

"Promoting healthy buildings that enhance our quality of life and the sustainable development of society should be at the core of future design. At VELUX we are working to help provide the necessary knowledge and tools to promote thorough research and analysis."

Throughout its history, VELUX has keenly focused on the optimal use of daylight in all kinds of buildings. This keen interest is naturally linked to the roof window, a product, which the company has developed and refined for more than 60 years. Through the design and production of windows and accessories that control the inflow of sunlight, as well as initiatives relating to legislation and research in the areas of daylight and indoor environment, the company has maintained a strong interest in the use of daylight.

To read more about the VELUX Daylight Symposium 2009, and to access images and copies of full presentations visit: www.thedaylightsite.com

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