LIGHT STUDIO
Sunlight & Daylight Earth Night View - ©PIO3
MINIGUIDE 11
Westwood Hills Nature Centre © Corey Gaffer
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
LIGHT IS LIFE At the heart of life on Earth lies a simple, powerful force: natural light. Sunlight fuels growth, allowing plants to thrive and sustaining the delicate balance of the food chain. Remove it, and the foundations of life begin to unravel as each layer loses its source of energy. There are rare exceptions. Some deep‑sea ecosystems exist in perpetual darkness, yet even they depend indirectly on the sunlit waters above. Likewise, the rise of underground farms using artificial lighting and hydroponics shows human ingenuity at work—but these systems remain a supplement, not a replacement, and are not yet viable at a global scale. Nature still depends on the sun. Beyond biology, light shapes our daily lives. It regulates our sleep–wake cycles, supports physical health, and underpins mental wellbeing. Access to high‑quality daylight is not a luxury; it is fundamental to life as we know it. When daylight is poorly provided, the consequences ripple outward— affecting health, the economy, productivity, crime, and the overall happiness of our communities. Thoughtful daylight design is not an aesthetic choice, but a strategic one. By prioritising high‑quality natural light, we create buildings and places that work with nature rather than against it - supporting long‑term sustainability, people and planet.
Kimberly Bartlett, Head of Lighting Design Introba Consulting UK
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Our Services We provide fully integrated lighting design, assessment and technical advisory services, working hand-in-hand with our electrical, mechanical, sustainability and building performance teams to craft lighting for a wide range of environments and spaces.
Daylight Analysis Sunlight Assessments Overshadowing Modelling & Assessments Glare Assessments Glint Assessments Planning Support Daylighting Design and Advisory
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
LinkedIn Offices @ 880 Maude © Jasper Sanidad Photography
California State University, Chino New Science Building © SmithGroup
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Daylight Modelling The requirements for daylight and sunlight in habitable dwelling rooms in the UK are to be achieved or exceeded over at least 50% of the points, for at least half of the daylight hours. If rooms fail, they are to be reassessed as proposed against existing levels and the resulting measurements should not be less than 0.8 times its existing value.
Ibstock Place Daylighting Assessment
Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) The UDI details how often the average illuminance in the space will be within acceptable ranges: I. 100-3000 lux - the space is well lit by natural daylight, and any potential glare is approximately controlled. II. >3000 lux there is potential to create a source of glare. typically blinds or other glare mitigation solutions would be needed. III. <100 lux alternative lighting may need to be considered in some, or all, of the assessed areas. In order to have a better understanding of the daylight levels within the space, calculations identify the percentage of assessed area where the light levels are acceptable at lease 80% of the time. The higher this percentage, the better the daylighting of the Illuminated Advertisement Assessments area assessed. LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Oxford
Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Oxford
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Sunlight Assessments Exposure to sunlight is an important quality criterion of an interior space and can contribute to human well-being.
Renders of exposure to sunlight on Blackbird Leys Block A level 01 and 02, on 21st March
Minimum exposure to sunlight should be provided in patient rooms in hospitals, playrooms in nurseries and at least one habitable space in dwellings. This is achieved through the expression of the minimum number of hours during which this space receives direct sunlight, for a clear cloudless reference day in the year. For new buildings, a space should receive a minimum of 1.5 hours of sunlight on a selected date between 1st February and 21st March with cloudless conditions. For dwellings, at least one habitable room, preferably a main living room, should achieve at least this minimum criterion.
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
Sun path analysis , used to inform sunlight analysis and climate data specific to the project area.
Sun Path Analysis Sun path analysis is used to inform sunlight analysis as well as climate data specific to the project area. Modelling this data against the proposed layouts provides site shadow diagrams throughout the day on various dates throughout the year. 10
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
LinkedIn Offices @ 880 Maude © Jasper Sanidad Photography
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Overshadowing Overshadowing or ‘sun on ground’ describes the availability of sunlight within garden and amenity space measured on March 21st, the spring equinox. BRE guidance suggests that at least half of a garden or amenity space should receive at least two hours of sunlight on 21 March. If as a result of a new development an existing garden or amenity space does not meet the above, and the area which can receive two hours of sunlight on 21 March is less than 0.8 times its former value, then the loss of amenity is likely to be noticeable. What counts as amenity spaces? The following types of open spaces to be assessed would normally include: • Gardens, courtyards and roof terraces • Parks and playing fields • Children’s playgrounds • Outdoor pools, marinas, and lakes • Sitting out areas and public squares • Nature reserves
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Oxford
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Glint and Glare Glint is momentary flash of bright light which has the ability cause short term visual discomfort and loss in visual acuity. Glint & Glare Assessments
144 Kingston Road - Glint & Glare Study Model
A glint & glare assessment is mostly used where a moving object may be subjected to disabling bright light incidences that may impact safety; such as flight paths and pilots being dazzled by sunlight bouncing off solar panels or railway signals being obscured from drivers' vision by flashes of light.
Assessment Methods
144 Kingston Road - Glint & Glare Study Model
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
The most widely used methods are the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT) created by Sandia National Laboratory, USA and the Hassall Method, created by David N.H. Hassall of the University of New South Wales. Most assessments will use the Hassall Method which considers the combination of sun position, sunlight intensity, surface orientation, surface reflectance and view direction of key observers.
Glare is caused where brighter areas than the eyes are adapted to create discomfort or loss in visual performance and visibility. Glare Assessments
Floodlighting Glare © Kimberly Bartlett
A glare assessment is suggested in spaced where the expected activities are comparable to reading writing or using display devices and the user is not able to choose freely their position and viewing direction. This is particularly prevalent in spaces such as classrooms where seating is fixed or allocated.
Daylight Glare Probability To assess glare from daylight, the illuminance at eye level and individual glare sources are measured or calculated to estimate the number and likelihood of glare events.
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Expert Analysis, Human Results Our work is grounded in rigorous analysis, translating robust data into informed decisions that enhance human experience while respecting environmental responsibility. We encourage and support access to good quality light in every one of our buildings and spaces. We would be delighted to help you do the same.
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
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Our Team We have every type of light and lighting covered and we thrive in collaborative environments. Kimberly Bartlett HEAD OF LIGHTING DESIGN
With nearly 20 years experience in light and lighting, I provide the backbone of technical expertise underpinning our designs, supporting our team in doing what they do best.
Aliz Sanduj ASSOCIATE LIGHTING DESIGNER
The team’s creative powerhouse in lighting design, I oversee the transition of beautiful thoughts to incredible reality.
Christopher Harrison INTERMEDIATE LIGHTING CONSULTANT
A specialist in external lighting, I bridge the gap between inside and out, creating seamless movement.
Pablo Temboury INTERMEDIATE ENGINEER
Combining creative experience in the arts with technical lighting and electrical expertise, I transform conceptual ideas into realised environments.
LIGHT STUDIO MINIGUIDE 11 | SUNLIGHT & DAYLIGHT
Transforming the Built Environment with Curiosity, Ingenuity, and Accountability Introba is a global engineering and consulting firm with more than 1,000 specialists across the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. We help clients improve the performance, reliability, and sustainability of the built environment through mechanical, electrical, technology, security, and fire systems engineering, supported by digital advisory, systems integration, and sustainability consulting services. Guided by curiosity, ingenuity, and accountability, we work with the public and private organisations across healthcare, aviation, education, science and technology, transportation, and commercial development to deliver solutions that meet today's needs and adapt to tomorrow's demands.
Contact hello@introba.com
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introba.com