How Daylighting Systems Benefit Human-centered Sustainability Strategy
Architectural design requires a combination of building science and creativity, both of which factor into the human benefits of a building. From a building science perspective, architects must consider how the building will be used, and how occupants are likely to behave, in order to determine the best form and function of the structure. At the creative end of the spectrum, architects have the freedom to apply both tried-and-true design principles and innovative modern technologies to deliver a sustainable building that benefits the people that interact with it.
With ever-increasing performance standards for buildings, our government’s commitment to improving sustainability has been clear for quite some time. However, the primary focus of these standard reforms has been on improving energy efficiency, tightening the building envelope, reducing water usage, and selecting sustainable materials. While all of these practices remain vital, the tide is shifting toward more human-centric sustainability strategies to continue pushing the building sector in the right direction and engaging people to participate in design that improves energy efficiency.
The goals of human-centered sustainability strategies are to meaningfully engage occupants, generate business results, and influence sustainability practices outside the scope of the building. Using daylighting systems is a powerful way to contribute to a human-centered sustainability strategy for multiple reasons.
Daylighting Systems and Human-centered Sustainability Strategy
Some of the ways in which daylighting systems support human-centered sustainable design include:
Healthier workplace
Employees are becoming increasingly interested in how healthy their work environment is. This includes business practices like employer-sponsored wellness plans, but also a high expectation about the condition of the workplace. Daylighting systems allow employees to receive the full benefits of natural light while on the job, contributing to a happier, healthier work environment and increasing employee satisfaction.
Increased productivity
Multiple studies have demonstrated a link between daylighting systems and increased worker productivity, which translates to higher profits for businesses, and a greater feeling of success for employees. This also ties into the improvement in employee health, because incorporating daylighting can decrease employee sick days by 6.5%, increasing the productive time employees spend in your facility.
Employee engagement
A key component of a human-centered sustainability strategy is engaging building occupants. When employees understand why daylighting systems have been implemented and how they benefit from them personally, they are more inclined to reduce electrical lighting usage and optimize daylighting whenever possible. The natural result is a reduction in energy consumption, but it also helps foster a sense of accountability outside the workplace.
Human-centered sustainable design relies on more than just statistics about energy savings. Although these metrics are important, the intangible benefits are equally significant. Employing daylighting systems as part of an overall sustainability strategy will contribute to greater employee engagement, occupant satisfaction, and of course, a measurable reduction in energy consumption.
